| 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. -- Máiréad Doherty |
|
Text Source |
Music |
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...' |
"Brian Boru's March" C11 |
2. Prologue to St. Johns Gospel (Jerusalem Bible) |
"Come to Us, Home to Us"/ "0 Come, O Come Emmanuel" |
3. "Advent" - Excerpt from poem by Patrick Kavanagh from The Complete Poems by Patrick Kavanagh |
Irish traditional slow air - "An Druimfhionn Donn Dílis" |
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. |
Irish traditional Lullaby - "Castle of Dromore" |
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.' |
"An Nollaig" ©1999 music by Kevin Murphy |
6. 'Profession of Faith' Written by St. Patrick, C5, was taken from "Patrick in His Own Words," by Joseph Duffy |
Traditional melody for "Hymn to St. Patrick" |
7. "St. Kevin and the Blackbird" from the collection of poems 'The Spirit Level' by Seamus Heaney |
Traditional air originally titled "Old Head of Denis", though now popularly known as "The Meeting of the Waters" |
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. |
"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' |
9. Crucifixion narrative from the Gospel of John, Jerusalem Bible) followed by the poem 'Death' by John Donne. |
American Spiritual - "Were You There" |
10. The Empty Tomb narrative from the Gospel of John, (Good News Translation). |
"Celtic Alleluia" Walker/O'Carroll |
11. "Prayer" by George Herbert |
“Ave Verum" (Plainchant) |
12. "VII. The Skylight" from Seeing Things by Seamus Heaney |
"Maire Dall" - (Blind Mary) by T. O'Carolan |
13. "Veni, Sancte Spiritus" - "Come, Holy Spirit" Origin unknown, though it may have been written in the C12 by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury. |
My favorite accompaniment for the 'Veni, Sancte Spiritus' which I have been playing since I was a teenager, and may have composed it? |
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. |
"Salve Regina' (Plainchant) |
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. |
American Shaker Melody |
16. A traditional Irish Blessing for the Year associated with St. Brigid, C5/6 |
"Brian Boru's March" - C11 |
©2002 Anam-Chara records -- all rights reserved |
unauthorized copying prohibited |
