The Christian Liturgical Year has evolved
from the pre-Christian nature-based year, marking the cycles of life as
corresponding with significant events in the life of Christ. The Celtic
year began in November (Samhain) with the fading of crops and the dying
of plants. Imbolc or gestation time began on February 1st. (Feast of
St. Brigid). The new growth and life of spring was celebrated on May
first (May Day). Lughnasa, (August 1st) brought the harvesting of crops
and month-long celebrations of music, song and dance. The Liturgical
Year begins with Advent, a time of quiet preparation for the birth of
Jesus Christ and the Christmas Season. It progresses with ordinary
time, the Lenten Season and the Triduum, followed by the Easter Season,
Pentecost, and Ordinary time again, completing the cycle of the year
with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls (remembering the dead). My
reasons for choosing the theme of the Liturgical Year, as evolved from
the Celtic tradition, are twofold. In our Western European and North
American lifestyles it seems to me that we have become very detached
from the natural cycles of life, on both a personal physical level and
on a wider social level. However, I believe the Church, having subsumed
the cycles of the natural world, provides us with a wonderful framework
for living healthy integrated lives through its Liturgical Year.
My other reason for choosing this theme, is born of my travels as a
lecturer and presenter on the topic of Celtic Spirituality, during
which time I have encountered much confusion regarding the so-called
Celtic Christian Church and the Roman Catholic Church. I have been
asked on many occasions if they exist as two separate churches. My
answer, based on my experience growing up in Ireland in the 1950's and
1960's is that the essence of the Roman Catholicism I was brought up
with has become known in our popular culture as Celtic Spirituality;
they are not two separate Churches but one and the same. My hope for
all who listen to this recording is that it will help clarify the life,
vision and promise of Jesus Christ as expressed through the Liturgical
Year of the Christian Church.
-- M·irČad Doherty |
Text Source
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Music
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1. Attributed to St. Columcille, C6 who,
upon hearing of the possible outlawing of the Druidic order in Ireland
by the new Christian church there, was outraged, and returned from lona
to offshore Ireland, north of Dublin, and in defense of the Druidic
order proclaimed - 'Christ is my Druid...'
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"Brian Boru's March" C11
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2. Prologue to St. Johns Gospel
(Jerusalem Bible)
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"Come to Us, Home to Us"/ "0 Come, O Come
Emmanuel"
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3. "Advent" - Excerpt from poem by
Patrick Kavanagh from The Complete Poems by Patrick Kavanagh
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Irish traditional slow air - "An
Druimfhionn Donn DĚlis"
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4. "Little Jesus" Irish medieval
tradition portrays St. Ita b. 480 AD, as foster mother to the Saints of
Ireland. It is said that she was granted the privilege of nursing the
Christ Child and that these are the words she sang to Him.
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Irish traditional Lullaby - "Castle of
Dromore"
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5. "An Nollaig" - (Christmas) This short
poem was written by Fr. Sean Mac Suibhne, SM. of Claremorris, Co. Mayo,
and set to music by Kevin Murphy Translation: 'Who is this person
commanding such interest? Of whom David, the psalmist, wrote so long
ago: At the sight of whom, each voice is stilled - The Babe at Mary's
breast.'
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"An Nollaig" ©1999 music by Kevin
Murphy
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6. 'Profession of Faith' Written by St.
Patrick, C5, was taken from "Patrick in His Own Words," by Joseph
Duffy
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Traditional melody for "Hymn to St.
Patrick"
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7. "St. Kevin and the Blackbird" from the
collection of poems 'The Spirit Level' by Seamus Heaney
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Traditional air originally titled "Old
Head of Denis", though now popularly known as "The Meeting of the
Waters"
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8."The Rune of St. Patrick" Attributed to
St. Patrick. Tradition tells us that Patrick said this protection
prayer as he walked from the Hill of Slane to Tara to confront the High
King who he believed to be representing the powers of darkness.
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"Molly my Treasure" Listed in Buntings
Collection III, and dated 1792 - author unknown. It is now popularly
known as 'The Harp of Tara's Halls'
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9. Crucifixion narrative from the Gospel
of John, Jerusalem Bible) followed by the poem 'Death' by John
Donne.
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American Spiritual - "Were You There"
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10. The Empty Tomb narrative from the
Gospel of John, (Good News Translation).
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"Celtic Alleluia" Walker/O'Carroll
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11. "Prayer" by George Herbert
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“Ave Verum" (Plainchant)
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12. "VII. The Skylight" from "Seeing
Things" by Seamus Heaney
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"Maire Dall" - (Blind Mary) by T.
O'Carolan
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13. "Veni, Sancte Spiritus" - "Come, Holy
Spirit" Origin unknown, though it may have been written in the C12 by
Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury.
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My favorite accompaniment for the 'Veni,
Sancte Spiritus' which I have been playing since I was a teenager, and
may have composed it?
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14. Mary - "A Religious Poem" from "Irish
Bardic Poetry" (C12- C14), collected and translated by Osborn Bergin. A
touching appeal to Mary's intercessory power with her son, Jesus, with
a final plea to Michael, the Archangel.
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"Salve Regina' (Plainchant)
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15. Excerpt from the "Storyteller of God"
by John Shea. Since I first read this narrative, more than ten years
ago, I have never forgotten it. It resonates at some deep spot in me
and in a special way, I believe, validates the role of parents as the
primary nurturers of their children's faith.
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American Shaker Melody
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16. A traditional Irish Blessing for the
Year associated with St. Brigid, C5/6
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"Brian Boru's March" - C11
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©2002 Anam-Chara records -- all rights
reserved
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unauthorized copying prohibited
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