#liturgy — Public Fediverse posts

4 May: Blesseds Angel Maria Prat Hostench, Lucas of St. Joseph Tristany Pujol, Priests, and Companions

May 4
BLESSEDS ANGELUS MARY PRAT HOSTENCH,
LUKE OF ST. JOSEPH TRISTANY PUJOL, 
PRIESTS, AND COMPANIONS
Martyrs

Optional Memorial

In the houses in Spain:  Memorial

In a single celebration, both Orders of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel commemorate their martyrs who, in different places in Spain, bore witness to the faith before and during the long and bloody religious persecution for hatred of the faith (1936-1939). Father Angelus Mary Prat Hostench, O. Carm., was murdered with his confreres in Tárrega in 1936; Father Luke of St. Joseph Tristany Pujol, O.C.D., was slain with his confreres in Barcelona the same year. This memorial also includes the groups from Lleida, Tarragona, Toledo, Terrassa, Olot, and others. This multitude of bishops, diocesan priests, religious of various orders and lay people were beatified, in part by Pope Benedict XVI on October 28, 2007 (498 martyrs), and in part by Pope Francis on October 13, 2013 (522 martyrs).

From the Common of Several Martyrs

OFFICE OF READINGS

The Second Reading
From the writings of Blessed José María Mateos Carballido, priest and martyr
(The Holy Scapular 33 [1936], 135-137)

The history of the Church is written with the blood of its martyrs

It is an undeniable truth that the athlete is formed through exercise, that through it he strengthens his limbs and becomes strong and invincible for the fight; that gold is purified in the crucible and that the more it is purified, the better it is to make precious objects with it.

Something like this happens to the human heart, a precious gold that increases in dignity when melted in the crucible of tribulation and in which are formed holy men and heroes. And something like this also happens in the mystical body of the Church; in her, persecution brings forth unsuspected flowers, unseen virtues, unprecedented heroism. That is why her divine founder announced to her that she would be persecuted at all times: “You will be hated by everyone because of me. They will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues. They will make you appear before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans” (Luke 21:12).

And under the blows of the battering ram of persecution, the Church was forged with its martyrs and its virgins, its saints and its doctors, until it became the prodigy that, after nineteen centuries, appears to the eyes of friends and enemies as the admirably divine work of its Divine founder.

From its beginning, the Church has been chiseled by that engraving tool of persecution, by which each blow that has been dealt has placed a precious stone in the always immovable walls of that beautiful building.

The pages of its history have been written with the blood of its martyrs and from its appearance until today, there has not been a century in which it has not flourished.

Thus, the Church was born; and, watered by the blood of so many innocents, this rich and generous sap flowed through her mystical body to make her produce the most beautiful flowers of science, virtue, heroism and holiness.

Thus, it was born, and over the centuries, it could be seen that those thorns of persecution never left her. But those blows did nothing other than give new vigor to that blessed tree, which, after each persecution, appeared more luxuriant, just as when spring emerges, the tree that has received the attentions of the successful hand of the pruner shows its lushness.

Given the events of recent months, what is our duty? To pray and to love. These are the two most powerful means that can revive peace among men. Pray much, because prayer will give us strength to confess Christ and not to turn our backs on Him like cowards. And love, for so much hatred, can only be drowned by a great outpouring of charity. For her enemies, the Church only has those words that came from the dying lips of Christ in agony on Calvary and were his most beautiful testament: “Father, forgive them”. The Church opens her arms as a loving Mother to all her children, even to those who persecute her, and she says to them all, “Father, forgive them.”

Faced with the danger of new persecution, let us not lose heart. Christ will always be with us, and no matter how rough the combat may be, we will emerge from it purified and the Church will gather new flowers between the folds of her tunic once again dyed with the blood of her children.

Responsory
2 Tim 4, 7-8a; cfr. Phil 3, 8. 10

℟. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. * Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, (alleluia).
℣. Indeed, I count everything as loss that I may know Christ, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. * Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, (alleluia).

Or:

From the writings of Blessed Luke of Saint Joseph, priest and martyr
(The Words of the Crucifix. Tarragona-Barcelona 1928, pp. 65-69)

The law of forgiveness shines in the martyrs

The great law of forgiveness, already promulgated from the beginning of the gospel teaching on the Mount of the Beatitudes, and so solemnly confirmed on the cross, points out to all of us the straight and sure path of eternal blessedness, and creates a wellspring of happiness and harmony, so that men can already taste it here on earth. It descends to the most intimate part of human consciousness, and stirs it all up, attacking to its deepest roots the poison of selfishness, destroyer of all happiness and harmony between souls.

This sublime doctrine of the Redeemer imposes on all of us, as a formal and necessary precept for our salvation, the sincere forgiveness of all serious injuries that have been inflicted on us. And, as an indispensable condition for inner peace and for achieving some degree of evangelical perfection, it also imposes on all of us a benevolent, total and sincere indulgence for each and every one of the many and varied deficiencies of our neighbors.

And, consequently, the great law of evangelical forgiveness is imposed not only on those who have to deal with specific enemies from whom they have received serious injuries, or from whom they know that truly bear them ill; but it reaches to all of us, whatever our state or condition, since there is no one who has not at some time felt offended or bothered, whether little or much.

This law can be applied every day and every hour of our daily life, both in the intimacy of domestic life and in social relationships; it is the same in the most secret and secluded part of the cloisters as in the whirlwind of worldly business.

For the holy Gospel, ideally beautiful as it is in everything, is always very simple and practical, because it can be adapted to all the modalities of each person’s real life. But, among all the evangelical precepts, this one of the forgiveness of enemies is one of the most eminently practical, because, as it penetrates to the most hidden depths of the human conscience, it reaches even to the most secret recesses of the heart, where the subtlest selfishness is also well hidden and concealed. This precept uncovers it; it reveals it to the conscience of every man who wants to know himself. And so this admirable law intends to intervene and inform all our actions, both the religious and the social: the religious, because we know that God does not accept them if we offer them to Him while nursing bitterness or fraternal resentments in our soul; and the social ones, because this precept reminds us that we will be treated by God just as we ourselves treat our brothers.

In this great school of the Cross, all the saints and martyrs learned its admirable wisdom and received its strength, knowing how to live without cursing anyone and how to die content, praying for those who made them shed their generous blood.

This sublime word of Jesus Christ was very fertile and creative, for it awakened, and still awakens today, in many souls, marvelous sentiments that the world had not known before. It taught so many millions of martyrs of all conditions to die with a smile on their face and a prayer on their lips, praying for the very executioners who were tormenting them.

Responsory
Mt 5, 43-45; Jn 13, 15

℟. You have heard that it was said: “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, * so that you may be children of
your Father who is in heaven, (alleluia).
℣. I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. * so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven, (alleluia).

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God,
who granted the priests Blesseds Angelus Mary, Luke of Saint Joseph,
and their companions
the grace of reaching the summit of Mount Carmel through martyrdom,
grant, we pray, through their intercession,
that we may always live with wisdom and zeal,
by bearing witness to the kingly majesty of Christ.

Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

We are grateful to our Discalced Carmelite Friars for providing the English texts of liturgical offices published after the 1993 edition of the Carmelite Proper—Liturgy of the Hours.

It is a strange experience to feel your life shifting in real time. A few weeks ago, I realised I do not want to shield people from the consequences of their actions or carry secrets that are not mine. That decision has changed more than I expected.

Some relationships are under strain. This morning, I ended things with a long-term support worker. The pattern was clear, and I could not continue in it. Boundaries exposed what had been maintained through silence, obligation, and blurred roles.

I am more direct and more honest. There is less filtering and less effort to manage how things land for others. I am not minimising my experience to keep things comfortable. That shift is changing how people respond and who remains.

This is affecting how I experience church. I am asking where God is within it. Is the focus on Him or on getting things right? I love the choir, the structure, and the liturgy. There is real beauty there. At the same time, something is missing.

There is little space to speak about lived faith. Talking about what Christ is doing in my life or saying I am praying for someone feels out of place. The emphasis seems to rest on form and correctness. Those matters, though they do not replace a living expression of faith.

I am holding two realities. I value where I am, and I also recognise it does not fully meet what I need spiritually. That tension has become clearer as I have become more honest in other areas.

Old roles brought predictability. Keeping the peace, carrying things quietly, adapting to fit. Letting those go creates space and also uncertainty. I am working out where I stand and how I want to relate to people.

There is more alignment internally. Decisions feel consistent with what I think and believe. Clarity has increased even where things feel harder.

Other people are now facing their responsibilities more directly. Some step into that. Others resist it. That response reveals the strength of the relationship.

There is grief here. Ending relationships carries loss. Questioning where I belong, especially in church, is significant. Letting go of familiar roles means letting go of a version of myself others knew.

There is also a sense of something more grounded forming. Less about appearances. More about truth. Less about fitting into structures. More about alignment. Less silence. More integrity.

I do not yet know where this leads. I do know I cannot return to how things were before that moment of clarity. The patterns are now visible. What is mine to carry is clearer.

For now, I am allowing the shift to unfold and paying attention to what holds.

#faith #christian #churchlife #boundaries #growth #healing #authenticity #spirituality #liturgy #choir #personaldevelopment

It is a strange experience to feel your life shifting in real time. A few weeks ago, I realised I do not want to shield people from the consequences of their actions or carry secrets that are not mine. That decision has changed more than I expected.

Some relationships are under strain. This morning, I ended things with a long-term support worker. The pattern was clear, and I could not continue in it. Boundaries exposed what had been maintained through silence, obligation, and blurred roles.

I am more direct and more honest. There is less filtering and less effort to manage how things land for others. I am not minimising my experience to keep things comfortable. That shift is changing how people respond and who remains.

This is affecting how I experience church. I am asking where God is within it. Is the focus on Him or on getting things right? I love the choir, the structure, and the liturgy. There is real beauty there. At the same time, something is missing.

There is little space to speak about lived faith. Talking about what Christ is doing in my life or saying I am praying for someone feels out of place. The emphasis seems to rest on form and correctness. Those matters, though they do not replace a living expression of faith.

I am holding two realities. I value where I am, and I also recognise it does not fully meet what I need spiritually. That tension has become clearer as I have become more honest in other areas.

Old roles brought predictability. Keeping the peace, carrying things quietly, adapting to fit. Letting those go creates space and also uncertainty. I am working out where I stand and how I want to relate to people.

There is more alignment internally. Decisions feel consistent with what I think and believe. Clarity has increased even where things feel harder.

Other people are now facing their responsibilities more directly. Some step into that. Others resist it. That response reveals the strength of the relationship.

There is grief here. Ending relationships carries loss. Questioning where I belong, especially in church, is significant. Letting go of familiar roles means letting go of a version of myself others knew.

There is also a sense of something more grounded forming. Less about appearances. More about truth. Less about fitting into structures. More about alignment. Less silence. More integrity.

I do not yet know where this leads. I do know I cannot return to how things were before that moment of clarity. The patterns are now visible. What is mine to carry is clearer.

For now, I am allowing the shift to unfold and paying attention to what holds.

#faith #christian #churchlife #boundaries #growth #healing #authenticity #spirituality #liturgy #choir #personaldevelopment

It is a strange experience to feel your life shifting in real time. A few weeks ago, I realised I do not want to shield people from the consequences of their actions or carry secrets that are not mine. That decision has changed more than I expected.

Some relationships are under strain. This morning, I ended things with a long-term support worker. The pattern was clear, and I could not continue in it. Boundaries exposed what had been maintained through silence, obligation, and blurred roles.

I am more direct and more honest. There is less filtering and less effort to manage how things land for others. I am not minimising my experience to keep things comfortable. That shift is changing how people respond and who remains.

This is affecting how I experience church. I am asking where God is within it. Is the focus on Him or on getting things right? I love the choir, the structure, and the liturgy. There is real beauty there. At the same time, something is missing.

There is little space to speak about lived faith. Talking about what Christ is doing in my life or saying I am praying for someone feels out of place. The emphasis seems to rest on form and correctness. Those matters, though they do not replace a living expression of faith.

I am holding two realities. I value where I am, and I also recognise it does not fully meet what I need spiritually. That tension has become clearer as I have become more honest in other areas.

Old roles brought predictability. Keeping the peace, carrying things quietly, adapting to fit. Letting those go creates space and also uncertainty. I am working out where I stand and how I want to relate to people.

There is more alignment internally. Decisions feel consistent with what I think and believe. Clarity has increased even where things feel harder.

Other people are now facing their responsibilities more directly. Some step into that. Others resist it. That response reveals the strength of the relationship.

There is grief here. Ending relationships carries loss. Questioning where I belong, especially in church, is significant. Letting go of familiar roles means letting go of a version of myself others knew.

There is also a sense of something more grounded forming. Less about appearances. More about truth. Less about fitting into structures. More about alignment. Less silence. More integrity.

I do not yet know where this leads. I do know I cannot return to how things were before that moment of clarity. The patterns are now visible. What is mine to carry is clearer.

For now, I am allowing the shift to unfold and paying attention to what holds.

#faith #christian #churchlife #boundaries #growth #healing #authenticity #spirituality #liturgy #choir #personaldevelopment

It is a strange experience to feel your life shifting in real time. A few weeks ago, I realised I do not want to shield people from the consequences of their actions or carry secrets that are not mine. That decision has changed more than I expected.

Some relationships are under strain. This morning, I ended things with a long-term support worker. The pattern was clear, and I could not continue in it. Boundaries exposed what had been maintained through silence, obligation, and blurred roles.

I am more direct and more honest. There is less filtering and less effort to manage how things land for others. I am not minimising my experience to keep things comfortable. That shift is changing how people respond and who remains.

This is affecting how I experience church. I am asking where God is within it. Is the focus on Him or on getting things right? I love the choir, the structure, and the liturgy. There is real beauty there. At the same time, something is missing.

There is little space to speak about lived faith. Talking about what Christ is doing in my life or saying I am praying for someone feels out of place. The emphasis seems to rest on form and correctness. Those matters, though they do not replace a living expression of faith.

I am holding two realities. I value where I am, and I also recognise it does not fully meet what I need spiritually. That tension has become clearer as I have become more honest in other areas.

Old roles brought predictability. Keeping the peace, carrying things quietly, adapting to fit. Letting those go creates space and also uncertainty. I am working out where I stand and how I want to relate to people.

There is more alignment internally. Decisions feel consistent with what I think and believe. Clarity has increased even where things feel harder.

Other people are now facing their responsibilities more directly. Some step into that. Others resist it. That response reveals the strength of the relationship.

There is grief here. Ending relationships carries loss. Questioning where I belong, especially in church, is significant. Letting go of familiar roles means letting go of a version of myself others knew.

There is also a sense of something more grounded forming. Less about appearances. More about truth. Less about fitting into structures. More about alignment. Less silence. More integrity.

I do not yet know where this leads. I do know I cannot return to how things were before that moment of clarity. The patterns are now visible. What is mine to carry is clearer.

For now, I am allowing the shift to unfold and paying attention to what holds.

#faith #christian #churchlife #boundaries #growth #healing #authenticity #spirituality #liturgy #choir #personaldevelopment

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

18 April: Blessed Mary of the Incarnation Avrillot

April 18
BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION AVRILLOT
Religious

Optional Memorial

In the houses in France:  Memorial

Barbe Avrillot was born in Paris in 1566. At the age of sixteen, she married Pierre Acarie, by whom she had seven children. In spite of her household duties and many hardships, she attained the heights of the mystical life. Under the influence of St. Teresa’s writings, and after mystical contact with the Saint herself, she spared no effort in introducing the Discalced Carmelite nuns into France. After her husband’s death, she asked to be admitted among them as a lay sister, taking the name of Mary of the Incarnation; she was professed at the Carmel of Amiens in 1615. She was esteemed by some of the greatest men of her time, including St. Francis de Sales; and she was distinguished by her spirit of prayer and her zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. She died at Pontoise on April 18th, 1618.

From the Common of Holy Women (Religious)

Office of Readings

Hymn

Proud Heresy, with fur’ous, flame-like glance,
Hath gazed exulting on the Western nations;
And fired, as by a torch, unhappy France
is prey to cruel wars and devastations.

A noble woman, brave, of lion heart,
Now giveth rescue, home and faith defending,
With courage to repel the poison-dart,
And spurn the peril with a will unbending.

The exile of her lord is bravely borne,
Her scattered heritage and ruined dwelling;
She nobly conquers insult, pride, and scorn,
With joyful heart to lowly deeds compelling.

She faltereth not tho’ trial presseth sore,
Though cares abound, tho’ lamed in torture lying;
Nay, for her Lord’s sweet sake she craveth more,
To suffer all with Him her soul is sighing.

And when misfortune giveth place to peace,
She resteth not, her zeal o’erpasseth measure;
To spread the faith her ardors never cease,
And gentle service is her life and pleasure.

From Spain she seeketh help for her loved land,
For Carmel there, a noble vine hath flourished,
Transplanting thence a sacred virgin band,
By blest Theresa’s strength of spirit nourished.

All honor to the Father and the Son!
Be equal glory to the Spirit given!
O great Divinity, Thou, Three in One,
May ages praise Thee with the songs of Heaven!

10.11.10.11.

The Second Reading
From the Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila
(C. 1, no. 1ff.: ed. Kavanaugh-Rodriguez 1980, pp. 41-43, 50)

The apostolic aim of the Teresian Carmel

When I began to take the first steps toward founding this monastery, it was not my intention that there be so much external austerity.

At that time news reached me of the harm being done in France and of the havoc the Lutherans had caused and how much this miserable sect was growing. The news distressed me greatly, and, as though I could do something or were something, I cried to the Lord and begged him that I might remedy so much evil. It seemed to me that I would have given a thousand lives to save one soul out of the many that were being lost there.

I realized I was a woman and wretched and incapable of doing any of the useful things I desired to do in the service of the Lord. All my longing was and still is that since he has so many enemies and so few friends that these few friends be good ones. As a result I resolved to do the little that was in my power; that is, to follow the evangelical counsels as perfectly as I could and strive that these few persons who live here do the same.

I did this trusting in the great goodness of God, who never fails to help anone who is determined to give up everything for him. My trust was that if these sisters matched the ideal my desires had set for them, my faults would not have much strength in the midst of so many virtues; and I could thereby please the Lord in some way. Since we would all be occupied in prayer for those who are the defenders of the Church and for preachers and for learned men who protect her from attack, we could help as much as possible this Lord of mine who is roughly treated by those for whom he has done so much good; it seems these traitors would want him to be crucified again and that he have no place to lay his head. Still, my heart breaks to see how many souls are lost. Though I can’t grieve so much over the evil already done—that is irreparable—I would not want to see more of them lost each day.

O my Sisters in Christ, help me beg these things of the Lord. This is why he has gathered you together here. This is your vocation. These must be the things you desire, the things you weep about; these must be the objects of your petitions. The world is all in flames, they want to sentence Christ again, so to speak, since they raise a thousand false witnesses against him; they want to ravage his Church.

So, then, I beg you for the love of the Lord to ask His Majesty to hear us in this matter. Miserable though I am, I ask His Majesty this, since it is for his glory and the good of the Church; this glory and good is the object of my desires.

Responsory

R/. Let petitions and prayers of thanksgiving be offered to God for everyone: * for it is His will that all should be saved and come to know the truth (alleluia).
V/. Prayer of this kind is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, * for it is His will that all should be saved and come to know the truth (alleluia).

Morning Prayer

Hymn

Freed at length from marriage tie,
Winged with joy her soul doth fly
To the fortress of Teresa, led by Spirit’s call;
Choosing there the lowest place,
She, who with a mother’s grace
Well might rule and govern, now is subject unto all.

O’er her sisters rising far,
As a bright and glorious star,
Guide of all who seek the path of life to God above,
She all honor doth despise,
And with great Teresa vies
In the tortures of her heart consumed with flames of love.

Mount thee to the heavenly height,
In the grace of love and light,
Harken to thy suppliants then, who pleading cry to thee.
Cast a love-enkindled glance
On thine own, thy native France,
That all minds and hearts be one in faith and charity.

Hasten all ye right of heart,
Sing ye loud with joyful art
Praise to our Redeemer Christ, and humbly Him adore;
Praise with all the heavenly host
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One in Blessed Trinity of Persons ever more.

77.76.D.

Canticle of Zechariah
Ant. Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, says the Lord, He will give you (alleluia).

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
You gave Blessed Mary of the Incarnation
heroic strength in the face of the adversities
she met along life’s road,
and zeal for the extension of the Carmelite family.
May we your children
courageously endure every trial
and persevere to the end in Your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

Let angels hymn sweet harmony unending,
Let Carmel gladly join her ardent prayer,
While temples echo with the songs ascending
Upon the joyful air.

The glorious life of Mary now inspires
The chanting of her praises, fitly due;
She dwelleth high amid celestial choirs,
In bliss serene and true.

Her mind reposed in God from earliest dawning;
Her ready heart was swift to prompting grace;
All empty pomp and sinful pleasures scorning,
She fled the world’s embrace.

To dwell with Christ a virgin, was her choosing;
She fondly sought Him for her Lord and Spouse,
But wishes of her parents ne’er refusing,
‘Neath wedded yoke she bows.

So hath God willed that this exalted matron
With brightest luster of her state might shine,
To them that wed a noble type and patron
Of virtues all divine.

As wife and mother strong her love and tender,
Meek to obey her husband’s every call,
To children and to servants prompt to render,
A prudent care in all.

All honor to the Father, Son, and Spirit,
O glorious Trinity enthroned above.
The blessed faith whose teachings we inherit,
Proclaims Thee One in love.

11.10.11.6

Canticle of Mary
Ant. I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek wisdom (alleluia).

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation was created by an unknown artist in the mid-17th century. The is part of the art collection at the Carmel of Saint Joseph in Pontoise, France. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites (Used by permission)

17 April: Blessed Baptist Spagnoli

April 17
BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI
Priest

Optional Memorial

Born in Mantua on April 17th, 1447, as a youth, Baptist joined the Carmelites of the Congregation of Mantua at Ferrara. He made his religious profession in 1464 and served in many positions of responsibility in the community; he was vicar general of his congregation six times, and in 1513 was elected prior general of the whole Order. In his own time, he was a renowned humanist ‘who brought his richly varied poetry into the service of Christ.” He used his friendships with scholars as an opportunity of encouraging them to live a Christian life. He died in Mantua on March 20th, 1516.

From the Common of Holy Men (Religious)

Office of Readings

The Second Reading

From the treatise of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli “On Patience”

We draw hope from the consolation of scripture

You will find that the reading of sacred scripture is a great and powerful remedy against bodily suffering and depression of mind. In my opinion, there is no other writing, no matter how eloquent and stylish it may be, that can bring such peace to our minds and so thoroughly dissolve our cares as sacred scripture can.

I speak from personal experience: for there have been times when I was beset with anxieties, the worst of which came from the experience of my own weakness, and if on such occasions I sought relief in the scriptures, the hopes, and desires that led me there were never disappointed. The word of scripture proved to be a solid bulwark against my anxieties and a relief to my troubled spirit.

I have often wondered why the scriptures have this persuasive power, why they have such a powerful effect of those who listen to them, and why they lead us to the commitment of faith and not to the mere forming of opinion. This response of faith does not happen because of a reasoning process, because scripture does not offer one; and it is not a matter of literary style or artistic merit, because scripture does not use these devices; nor does it use soft words to persuade us.

The real reason that scripture has this persuasive power is that it comes from First Truth. Surely there can be no other explanation for such conviction. It seems as though scripture has an inherent authority that compels us to believe. But on what base does this authority rest? None of us has seen God preaching, writing, teaching — and yet we believe as though we had seen, and realize that what we read comes from the Holy Spirit. One reason for believing may well be that the truth contained in scripture is very solid truth, even though it is not as clear as we might wish. All truth has an inherent power to win our acceptance: the greater the truth, the greater its power.

So why is it, then, that not all believe the good news? My reply is that not all are drawn by God. However, there is no point in arguing further. We believe in sacred scripture to the degree that we accept in our hearts God’s divine inspiration.

Responsory

R/. Your decrees give me joy, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).
V/. In Your statutes I find delight; I will not forget Your word, * a joy beyond all wealth (alleluia).

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. The mouth of a virtuous man is a fountain of life: his lips enlighten many (alleluia).

Prayer

Lord God,
You made Our Lady’s faithful servant,
Blessed Baptist Spagnoli,
a preacher of Your Gospel by word and example.
Through His prayers
may we ponder Your word in Mary’s company
and praise You with her by the way we live.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Your statutes have been my songs in the place of my exile; they are the delight of my heart (alleluia).

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Featured image: This portrait of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli is attributed to Antonio Maria Crespi. The oil on canvas painting dates to the period 1613–1621 and forms part of the art collection at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Image credit: Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Public domain)

The liturgical structure of the African Methodist Episcopal Church represents a vital intersection of historical liberation theology and traditional Methodist practice.

"Worship Practices in the AME Church." For those interested in ecclesiastical studies and the preservation of religious heritage, this is an excellent resource.

Full article here:
https://www.maryvv.com/ame-church-worship-practices/

#Theology #MaryVenableVaughn #AMEChurch #EcclesiasticalStudies #ReligiousHeritage #PublicInterest #Liturgy

https://www.europesays.com/people/25492/ Marquis Who’s Who Honors the Rev. John Roberts for Expertise in Religious Services #ChristSeminarySeminex #EvangelicalLutheranChurchInAmerica #JohnRoberts #liturgy #LutheranChurchMissouriSynod #PastorRoberts #RevJohnRoberts #StPhilip’saclu

The liturgical structure of the African Methodist Episcopal Church represents a vital intersection of historical liberation theology and traditional Methodist practice. 🏛️📜

"Worship Practices in the AME Church." For those interested in ecclesiastical studies and the preservation of African American religious heritage, this is an excellent resource.

Full article here:
🔗 https://www.maryvv.com/ame-church-worship-practices/

#Theology #AMEChurch #EcclesiasticalStudies #ReligiousHeritage #PublicInterest #Liturgy

Celebrating Orthodox Palm Sunday in Greece https://www.byteseu.com/1919088/ #Easter #FeastDays #Greece #GreekEaster #GreekOrthodoxChurch #HolyWeek #Lazarus #LazarusSaturday #liturgy #PalmSunday

Celebrating Orthodox Palm Sunday in Greece

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem as depicted on a fresco in an Eastern Orthodox church. Credit: Petar Milošević/Wikimedia…
#Greece #GR #Europe #Europa #EU #easter #Feastdays #greece #GreekEaster #GreekOrthodoxChurch #Holyweek #Lazarus #LazarusSaturday #liturgy #palmsunday #Ελλάδα #νεα
https://www.europesays.com/2897002/

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki calls for Eucharistic renewal, warns against replacing Mass

COLOGNE, Germany — Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki used his Holy Week homily to call priests back to the…
#Germany #DE #Europe #EU #Europa #cardinal-rainer-maria-woelki #catholic-news #eucharistic-revival #liturgy
https://www.europesays.com/germany/1811/

The liturgical structure of the African Methodist Episcopal Church reflects a profound synthesis of historical heritage and spiritual discipline. 🏛️📜

"Worship Practices in the AME Church." For those interested in ecclesiastical history and the preservation of religious culture, this is an excellent resource.

Full article here:
🔗 https://www.maryvv.com/ame-church-worship-practices/

#Ecclesiology #AMEChurch #MaryVenableVaughn #ReligiousStudies #Liturgy #PublicInterest #CulturalHeritage

Honoring Study

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/holy-blessings/

The person reading Acts this morning pronounced Ananias as "Anus-sy".

(I'm no expert on 1st century Palestinian names but I have always pronounced it "Anna-NI-as")

And honestly it made my morning.

#ConversionOfPaul #Liturgy #FediChurch #NicheToot

My pastor surmised that I was likely the only lector wearing a rose jacket on Gaudete Sunday in any Holy Cross parish in the US. (Today is one of two days in the Church that rose vestments are worn.)

#Catholic #Liturgy

https://kraft.blog/photo/rose/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Rose

My pastor surmised that I was likely the only lector wearing a rose jacket on Gaudete Sunday in any Holy Cross parish in the US. (Today is one of two days in the Church that rose vestments are worn.)

#agiosthomas #SaintNikolaos #viotia #liturgy #DimosTanagras #centralGreece

#agiosthomas #SaintNikolaos #viotia #liturgy #DimosTanagras #centralGreece

#agiosthomas #SaintNikolaos #viotia #liturgy #DimosTanagras #centralGreece

#agiosthomas #SaintNikolaos #viotia #liturgy #DimosTanagras #centralGreece

29 November: Blesseds Denis of the Nativity and Redemptus of the Cross

November 29
BLESSEDS DENIS OF THE NATIVITY, PRIEST,
AND REDEMPTUS OF THE CROSS, RELIGIOUS
Martyrs

Optional Memorial
In the houses in India and Indonesia: Memorial

Denis of the Nativity, a priest, called in the world Pierre Berthelot, was born in Honfleur in France in 1600. He was a cartographer and naval commander for the kings of Portugal and France before he joined the Discalced Carmelites in Goa in 1635. It was also at Goa that the Portuguese lay brother, Thomas Rodriguez da Cunha, born in 1598, had made his profession in 1615, taking the name Redemptus of the Cross. They were sent to the island of Sumatra (Indonesia), where, in the town of Achen (Aceh), they received the martyr’s crown on November 29, 1638.

From the common of several martyrs

Office of Readings

Second Reading
From The Ascent of Mount Carmel by Saint John of the Cross

(Bk 2, Ch 7:5—ed. Kavanaugh-Rodriguez 1979, pp. 122-24)

True self-denial means carrying Christ’s Cross

If anyone wishes to follow my way, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For he who would save his soul shall lose it, but he who loses it for me shall gain it. Oh, who can make this counsel of Our Savior understandable and practicable and attractive, that spiritual persons might become aware of the difference between the method many of them think is good and that which ought to be used in traveling this road! They are of the opinion that any kind of withdrawal from the world or reformation of life suffices. Some are content with a certain degree of virtue, perseverance in prayer, and mortification, but never achieve the nakedness, poverty, selflessness, or spiritual purity (which are all the same) that the Lord counsels us here. For they still feed and clothe their natural selves with spiritual feelings and consolations rather than divesting and denying themselves of these for God’s sake.

Through this kind of conduct, they became, spiritually speaking, enemies of the cross of Christ. A genuine spirit seeks the distasteful in God rather than the delectable, leans more toward suffering than toward consolation, more toward going without everything for God rather than toward possession. It prefers dryness and affliction to sweet consolation. It knows that this is the significance of following Christ and denying self, that the other method is perhaps a seeking of self in God—something entirely contrary to love.

If a man resolutely submits to the carrying of this cross, if he decidedly wants to find and endure trial in all things for God, he will discover in all of them great relief and sweetness. A man makes progress only through imitation of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one goes to the Father but through him. This way is nothing other than a death to our natural selves.

Responsory

℟ If anyone wishes to follow my way, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. * Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
℣ They have persecuted me, and they will persecute you. * Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Morning Prayer

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. Blessed are you when you are persecuted on my account: rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Prayer

Father,
we celebrate the memory of Blesseds Denis and Redemptus
who died for their faithful witnessing to Christ.
Give us the strength to follow their example,
loyal and faithful to the end.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Canticle of Mary

Ant. They loved Christ in their lives and imitated Him in their death: and so they reign with Him forever.

Photos of Blessed Denis (white mantle) and Blessed Redemptus (brown mantle) are from the convent of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, courtesy of the Discalced Carmelite General Curia (used by permission) 

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#denisOfTheNativity #discalcedCarmelite #indonesia #liturgy #martyrs #redemptusOfTheCross

The Origin of Prayer

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/the-origin-of-prayer/

5 November: Blessed Frances d’Amboise

November 5
BLESSED FRANCES D’AMBOISE
Religious

Optional Memorial

Frances was born in 1427, probably in Thouars in France. She was the wife of Peter II, Duke of Britanny. After his death, and under the direction of Blessed John Soreth, the prior general, she took the habit of the Order in the monastery she had previously founded in Bondon. Afterward, she transferred to another foundation in Nantes, also erected by her, where she held the office of prioress and nourished the sisters with wise teaching. She is considered the foundress of the Carmelite nuns in France. She died in 1485.

From the Common of Holy Women (Religious)

Office of Readings

The Second Reading
From the Exhortations of Blessed Frances d’Amboise to her nuns

How trials bring strength

Whatever the troubles and difficulties that weigh you down, bear them all patiently and keep in mind that these are the things which constitute your cross. Offer your help to the Lord and carry the cross with him in gladness of heart. There is always something to be endured, and if you refuse one cross, be sure that you will meet with another, and maybe a heavier one. If we trust in God and rely on his help, we shall overcome the allurements of vice. We must never let our efforts flag nor our steps grow weary, but must keep our hearts under steady discipline.

Consider the afflictions and great trials which the holy Fathers endured in the desert. And yet the interior trials they suffered were far more intense than the physical penances they inflicted on their own bodies. One who is never tried acquires little virtue. Accept then whatever God wills to send, for any suffering he permits is entirely for our good. Christ assures us in the Gospel, “Who wishes to follow me must deny himself. He must be forgetful of self; he must regard himself as nothing; he must despise himself and desire to be despised by others.”

This attitude derives from Our Lord’s command that we are to take up his cross and follow him. We are to accept sufferings of mind and body for love of him, just as he bore his sufferings for love of us. It is true that the Jews lifted the cross from our Savior’s shoulders, but this was out of concern lest he die from blows and exhaustion before reaching the place where he was to be crucified. And when they laid the weight on Simon’s shoulders he submitted most unwillingly, even though aware that he was not destined to die on the cross he carried. Christ, by contrast, willingly and gladly carried his cross and died upon it, breathing forth his soul at last into his Father’s hands. Let us follow him and imitate all he did.

You have various afflictions which constitute your cross. Bear them willingly to the very end, when you will finally yield your soul to God. Give him praise and thanks for calling you to his service. Scorn no one, for it is God’s will that you love each one of your neighbors as you do those of your own community. Strive to curb all unruly instincts within you. To this end, try one remedy today and another tomorrow, so that gradually you will subdue your unruly impulses, and when the Lord sees your goodwill and your perseverance, he will give you the support of his grace, enabling you to sustain to the end the burdens of religious life. Through his love, nothing will be too difficult for you to bear.

Responsory

℟ If our Lord allows us to suffer, this is a sign that he loves us and wishes to draw us to himself. * This is a great honor for us.
℣ The straight path which leads to heaven is the cross; it is the main door. * This is a great honor for us.

Prayer

God our Father,
you called Blessed Frances d’Amboise
to seek your kingdom in this world
by serving Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother.
With her prayers to give us courage,
help us to go forward with joyful hearts
in the way of love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#BlessedFrancesDAmboise #Carmelite #founder #France #Liturgy #nuns #optionalMemorial #religious

Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: The Rituals of Freedom – Straight White American Jesus

‘Brad welcomes Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar, editors of We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from The Freedom Church of the Poor.’

#LizTheoharis #CharonHribar #Liturgy #Liturgies
https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/beyond-thoughts-and-prayers-the-rituals-of-freedom/

After many weeks (has it been months?) I have a new entry on the blog! This one is in praise of the Book of Common Prayer.

#Episcopal #Anglican #Christianity #Spirituality #Theology #Liturgy #Bible

https://catecheticconverter.com/in-praise-of-the-book-of-common-prayer

Serving alongside a guest priest, particularly one whose strong point isn’t liturgizing, can be exhausting! (Which is to say, he needed to be coached through the Liturgy.)

After coffee hour, I came home and fell into the embrace of a Post-Liturgical Nap. I just awoke a few minutes ago, at 4:30 pm.

#PLN #Liturgy

I wrote a (short) thing! Blog post on the surprising absence of smell from the multisensory details covered in memorial endowments in early modern Bregenz

https://silencesandsounds.blogspot.com/

#smell #multisensory #liturgy #memorial #blog #research #histodon #15thc #16thc

I wrote a (short) thing! Blog post on the surprising absence of smell from the multisensory details covered in memorial endowments in early modern Bregenz

https://silencesandsounds.blogspot.com/

#smell #multisensory #liturgy #memorial #blog #research #histodon #15thc #16thc

I wrote a (short) thing! Blog post on the surprising absence of smell from the multisensory details covered in memorial endowments in early modern Bregenz

https://silencesandsounds.blogspot.com/

#smell #multisensory #liturgy #memorial #blog #research #histodon #15thc #16thc

I wrote a (short) thing! Blog post on the surprising absence of smell from the multisensory details covered in memorial endowments in early modern Bregenz

https://silencesandsounds.blogspot.com/

#smell #multisensory #liturgy #memorial #blog #research #histodon #15thc #16thc

I wrote a (short) thing! Blog post on the surprising absence of smell from the multisensory details covered in memorial endowments in early modern Bregenz

https://silencesandsounds.blogspot.com/

#smell #multisensory #liturgy #memorial #blog #research #histodon #15thc #16thc

Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound Review

By Owlswald

Black metal is rooted in extremity—a core toolkit of visual aesthetics, speed, power and atmosphere that naturally imbues it with an inherent spiritual essence. But that essence often collapses into a monochromatic buzz of tremolo and constant tempos. Los Angeles-based quartet Agriculture challenges this expectation with their second LP, The Spiritual Sound, moving beyond the solely dark and brutal in search of presence and illumination. Coming off their potent self-titled debut—a record that landed on Cherd’s Top 10(ish) records of 2023—and 2024’s Living is Easy EP, The Spiritual Sound is a statement of pure honesty and fearless experimentation. The record shatters typical black metal conventions, throwing out ritualistic fanfare for a vast array of influences including death metal, noise, math rock, folk, country, and punk. Self-dubbed as “ecstatic black metal,” the foursome demands you check all preconceived notions at the door as they reframe extreme in their own unique and expansive way.

While Agriculture hasn’t completely turned their backs on their blackened roots, The Spiritual Sound uses them as a launchpad to branch out into realms occupied by groups like Liturgy and labelmates Chat Pile. The frenzied, tremolotic dissonance of guitarists Dan Meyer and Richard Chowenhill still power tracks like “Serenity,” “Flea,” and “Micah (5.15am),” underpinning Leah Levinson’s manic vocals and Kern Haug’s unhinged drumming. Now, however, this approach serves as a stepping stone to more expansive horizons, as Agriculture’s originality has fully blossomed. The record’s forty-four minutes are a playful, unpredictable and complex patchwork of styles: math rock chaos (“My Garden”), sludgy down-picked riffs (“The Weight”), soothing Slowdivey shoegaze harmonies (“Flea,” “Dan’s Love Song”), punky gallops (“Micah (5.15am))” and delicate, folky passages (“The Reply,” “Hallelujah”). This diverse blend transmits an authentic ethos centered on camaraderie, collective struggle, and catharsis, grounded in themes from queer history and AIDS-era literature to historical collapse and Zen Buddhism. As unconventional as it might be, The Spiritual Sound’s mission is a clear success: to craft unique, empowering music that fosters community without pretense.

Agriculture’s experimentation largely shines through Meyer and Chowenhill’s impressive and inventive shredding. The duo injects The Spiritual Sound with tons of flashy guitar work through a hodgepodge of bends, squeals, trills, and high-pitched pick taps around more conventional bouts of thrashy riffing and smothering tremolos to create a vibrant spectrum of textures. The captivating leads in tracks like “The Weight,” “My Garden” and “Bodhidharma”—the latter of which contains one of the best solos I’ve heard in a long time—take influence from Tom Morello’s (Rage Against the Machine) boundary-pushing designs or Larry LaLonde’s (Primus) accented jams, while “Flea’s” solo elicits the expressiveness of classic rock. Song o’ the Year candidate “My Garden” explodes into a whirling dervish of frantic math fretwork before dropping into one of the most crushing riffs I’ve heard all year. It then transitions into a soothing interlude for a brief moment before bludgeoning you once more with heaviness and rapid-fire high tremolo runs. This constant shift between doom- and groove-laden weight, jarring dissonance, and soothing ethereal passages is what gives The Spiritual Sound its complex structure and feeds its absorbing, often unpredictable journey.

The Spiritual Sound’s novelty is equally defined by Levinson and Meyer’s vocal performances. Levinson shifts between extreme intensity and introspective subtlety, delivering ear-piercing shrieking rasps balanced by softer, more experimental elements like the poetic, spoken word found in “Bodhidharma” or the conversational tone of “Flea.” The strategic use of soothing clean vocals and Meyer’s beautiful harmonies in songs like “The Reply,” “Hallelujah,” or “Dan’s Love Song” also provides essential emotional contrast, amplifying the impact of the record’s heavier tracks and buttressing Agriculture’s originality. The coarse production—courtesy of Chowenhill—is compressed and somewhat lo-fi but allows the quartet’s unbridled sound to rush through the speakers with both raw aggression and clarity.

Agriculture may have stumbled into black metal during their formation, but the genre—and The Spiritual Sound—is all the better for it. Though their ambitious scope results in some unevenness (“Flea” and “Serenity” rely on tropey structures and interlude “The Spiritual Sound” is confusingly split into its own track), Agriculture is unafraid to walk its own path, successfully blending various styles into a great record authentically rooted in the power, community and pure enjoyment of extreme music. Black metal purists should look elsewhere—however, those who approach The Spiritual Sound without pretense will find a unique, genre-defying experience that only gets better with every play.

Rating: Great!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: The Flenser
Websites: agriculturemusic.bandcamp.com/music | agriculturemusic.com | facebook.com/agriculturemusic
Releases Worldwide: October 3rd, 2025

#2025 #40 #Agriculture #AlternativeMetal #AmericanMetal #BlackMetal #ChatPile #ExperimentalMetal #Liturgy #Oct25 #Primus #RageAgainstTheMachine #Review #Reviews #Slowdive #TheFlenser #TheSpiritualSound

attributes of mercy

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/attributes-of-mercy/

What one line in the Yom Kippur liturgy teaches us about transforming society

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/transgressors/

The collect for today’s feast of St. Teresa (Mother Teresa), translation approved a few months ago:

O God, who called the Virgin Saint Teresa
to respond to the love of your Son
thirsting on the Cross
with outstanding charity to the poorest of the poor,
grant us, we beseech you, by her intercession,
to minister to Christ in our suffering brothers
and sisters.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

#catholic #liturgy

The collect for today’s feast of St. Teresa (Mother Teresa), translation approved a few months ago:

O God, who called the Virgin Saint Teresa
to respond to the love of your Son
thirsting on the Cross
with outstanding charity to the poorest of the poor,
grant us, we beseech you, by her intercession,
to minister to Christ in our suffering brothers
and sisters.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

#catholic #liturgy

Why do our #clergy feel the need for #LSD to have an experience of #transcendence? What is missing in our #seminary training and in our #liturgy?
What is missing is the #mystics. And the way to becoming a mystic and democratizing #mysticism. http://bit.ly/4fM0THS

Why do our #clergy feel the need for #LSD to have an experience of #transcendence? What is missing in our #seminary training and in our #liturgy?
What is missing is the #mystics. And the way to becoming a mystic and democratizing #mysticism. http://bit.ly/4fM0THS