I like Latin. Ok. I admitted it. But I like music even more, and what better way to combine these two pleasures than through listening to the latin hymns written for the praise of God? It is like having one’s soul touched by the Unknown in some inexpressible way, and yet to listen to the music everything comes together as one act of joyful praise.

Currently, I am looking at the Lauda, Sion, written by St Thomas Aquinas for the celebration of Corpus Cristi. A real profound hymn when we take time to look at what it’s saying.

Even for those who don’t know Spanish, Sister Glenda has a voice that opens the heart to prayer. Two songs in particular i really like on this album are:
- Si Conocieras el Don de Dios (If you knew the gift of God)
- Nada es Imposible para Tí (Nothing is Impossible for You)

I like her simplicity, her frankness in how she speaks about God through her music ministry.

Beautiful.

Anyone who has ever received insult or punishment when they were innocent will find themselves in awe of the stories in these 390 pages. It takes the reader on a comprehensive historical tour of struggling countries of the 20th century, and how many Christian groups were often blamed and persecuted unjustly for the political turmoil.
So far I’ve traveled to Mexico, Soviet Russia, Ukraine, France, and currently I am in Spain, 1936 watching priests continue to carry out their service to the people despite the fact that to do so will bring automatic death if caught. The words of Bishop Pedro Cruz Ocana still ring in my head, “If it is necessary that I die for Spain, I will die happily…my duty is to stay here.”
It is a read well worth it – especially if you like world history because it is a part of conflict we do not see in school history classes. It has also helped me on a faith-level to re-examine what is in my life is worth standing for, and what is ok to let go of.

I first read this book in the postulancy – it was a gift – and ever since have had a longing to immerse myself in the Mystery we discover through silence and prayer. It’s been ten years, and I although i haven’t kept many books, this one still follows me. I stumbled across it today, and felt like taking it up again. It was like coming across an old friend.
Pennington begins his section on ‘contemplatio’ in this way:
“There is something wonderful about a deep love, the love after the uncontrolled passion is spent. It is the love of just being with. This is contemplation”