The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
(This will all look and work better if you click on the actual post and do not remain on the main page.)
We have winners for the three Around the Year with the von Trapp Family books! If we emailed you, it's you!
Here is a code for 30% off your purchase of the book at Sophia Institute Press — this code is good for this coming week! USE THE CODE Trapp30 — this is for LMLD readers only!
Great news! I have another giveaway for you!
This giveaway is now closed!
Do you have a lover of sacred music on your gift list? Someone who really appreciates the chant tradition of the Slavic Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches?
We are offering three winners a beautiful CD, the Vespers and Requiem/Panachyda, that truly moved me when I received a copy. It's two compositions (both in Ukrainianized Church Slavonic) by Roman Hurko.
If his name sounds familiar, I had shared a piece of his (not from this album) when we were discussing a chapter of The Spirit of the Liturgy by Cardinal Ratzinger. A chorale directed by my friend Paul Jernberg performed the Liturgy (affiliate link) from which that piece is taken, sang it at a benefit concert, and some of us got to meet the composer in person — his wife, Carmen, too!
They are wonderful warm and down to earth. I loved meeting them. You can read more about his work here.
This album we are giving away contains Hurko's Vespers and his Requiem for the victims of Chernobyl (ten percent of the proceeds of the sale of the CD go to a victims' fund.). The choir is otherworldly, with a masterly delicacy and force, and the music is transcendent. True, the Requiem is intense, as befits the subject matter, but the composer's close loyalty to the traditional form rescues it from over-emotionalism. His work all has the necessary austerity (by which is meant restraint in the area of sentiment) that Romano Guardini insists marks true liturgy and sacred art.
Here is the Blessed is the Man from the Vespers:
If you would like a chance to win one of three copies of this CD, please enter a comment below — and share this post with your friends!
We will choose a winner next week and offer a discount for any CDs you'd like to purchase at that point. The music is also available on iTunes of course. Do check out Hurko's offerings — they are all fantastic.
I really do just want you to know about this composer and his music — I hope you will find someone to give his work to!
Now, on to our links!
- Pam Barnhill has a wise post about not sabotaging your day with “morning quiet time” that robs you of sleep.
- Some thoughts on electronic devices for prayer. I find that in the car when we're together, it's helpful to pray an Hour from my phone; it's not quite right in church or chapel, though.
- An excellent overview of the particular manifestation of the Catholic liturgical renewal in devotions in the home, as experienced in the 50s and driven primarily by women, although of course their husbands must have supported their doings. Although the efforts of these energetic and faithful mothers and nuns were largely derailed in the culture at large by the faux-folk “revival” and liturgical innovation (as opposed to renewal) of the post-conciliar generation, an underground network of families kept their efforts alive. I personally know many people who painstakingly made photocopies of the very Around the Year with the von Trapp Family book that we highlighted here in our giveaway last week, when it was out of print and so rare! Mary Reed Newland's books were important to me when my children were young; a friend introduced me to her early on. I would say that the one piece that was missing was the idea of the little oratory, perhaps because it was so much a part of traditional family life that it escaped mention; yet it was lost… and with it, family life connected to the Liturgical Year. From the article:
“If we are tempted to romanticize [or, I suggest, mock, as so many do] the robust Catholicism of the 1950s, we would do well to ask ourselves a question. Why were the problems these women confronted, and the solutions they offered, so amazingly applicable to our own era, where we now face a desolated, perverse cultural wasteland and Religio Depopulata? It is certainly because they were able to see, even in that outwardly healthy Church, the fatal seeds that were already undermining its foundations.”
- An amazing story of a Thanksgiving miracle.
- Do you know someone whose marriage is in trouble? Share this excellent article with them: What kids really want for Christmas.
- Who's a burden? You are! I am! Let's not get rid of the burdens: Good post from Kelly Mantoan.
- If I still haven't convinced you about how lovely the Roman Hurko sacred music CD will be, you can listen to the Requiem here — then leave a comment on this post for a chance to win this CD:
From the archives:
Today is the Immaculate Conception! (If you are on Facebook, you can read this little post I wrote last year about this day.)
We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).
Lisa A. Roder says
I’d love to win!
Elizabeth says
I would love to win the sacred music CD!
Toni Graham says
Please enter me for a chance to win this beautiful sacred music! Thank you.
Ash A says
How beautiful! I love having music like this in the background.
Candice says
Thank you for the code for the book. I passed it on to my husband with a silent prayer that it will find its way under the tree this year! I would love to win the CD!
Cassandra Brungardt says
Our family would love this!
Kate Jackson says
I would love to receive a copy!
Margaret V. says
I would love to win that CD! I know of at least two people who would love it.
anothermom says
Thank you for sharing such sacred music on this blessed feastday and for the opportunity to enjoy its beauty in our home! May your entire family be abundantly blessed during this holy season!
Jenn says
This is a beautiful give-away and something our household would enjoy!
LeighAnna says
I’d love to win the CD! And thank you for the timely archive link about common sense when children are sick – it’s that time of year again…
Mrs. S says
What a lovely CD! I’m unable to go to Mass this weekend due to a sick baby, so it’s extra nice to hear some beautiful sacred music while home with little ones today.
Bridget H says
I’d love to give this to my husband for Christmas.
Anamaria says
We would love the music!
Appreciate the post on morning quiet time! This may be my favorite thing about living in a bigger house- I can get up without waking up everyone else. But I don’t always! Sometimes sleep is more important!
Lisa says
The music is beautiful! So peaceful and lovely. Thank you for the chance to have a CD! I always love reading anything about Sigrid Undset – been thinking of picking up Kristin and reading it again. Merry Christmas!
Jennifer says
I love his music and would love to win this CD! I think, though, that his non-English hymns are mostly in Slavonic, not Ukranian? Most Slavic churches use Slavonic in their services, and that’s what it sounds like to me.
Leila says
Jennifer — A note I read says “Ukrainianized Church Slavonic” — I will update, and perhaps the composer will chime in!
Karen Hettrick says
Beautiful, peaceful music!
Diana says
Oh, boy! Sacred music give-away! Thank you for hosting this!!
Joanna Cichy says
My 18-year-old would love this! She has been singing in our parish choirs since she was 11 and is now an alto in our schola. She has learned so much about sacred music, singing chant, and polyphonies. It is truly one of her passions and I have an ongoing novena to St. Cecilia that I’ve been praying for her, that she may know God’s will for her vocation. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda says
I would love to win. Thank you!
Raquel says
This music helps me to breath – I need this kind of peace in my life at the moment.
Raquel says
*breathe
Emily Hess says
Would love the CD, thanks!
Ona says
oh my goodness….so beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win this CD.
Rhebeka Hyland says
Our family would love to win, as well. Thank you for all of the lovely recommendations!
Hannah says
We’ve just started Great Vespers at our Byzantine Catholic parish, and it’s so exciting to delve into the tradition! This would be such a lovely album to own!
Maureen says
That music is so beautiful!
Joy in Alabama says
Thank you for the giveaways!
Rebecca says
Thank you for promoting REAL liturgical music. Our culture is starving for it!
Carol Kennedy says
Re: Praying the Liturgy of the Hours with electronic devices. While I agree with the foundational points in the article, I do have to say that it was a combination of ipods and iphones that allowed my family to begin praying the Liturgy of the Hours together. The learning curve on what to pray when was a HUGE obstacle to me and the app (Universalis, I think?) set that all up for us and we began. We don’t use them anymore but we pray morning, evening and compline together as a family. Don’t think we would be here without the devices–and The Little Oratory as a general push to turn intention into reality.
Carol Kennedy says
And to continue to promote The Little Oratory, I spent many years (single years, prepping for marriage) pouring over Maria Von Trapp and Mary Reed Newland and others and utilized a lot of what I learned, but it is only the Little Oratory, in my opinoin, that truly addresses living the liturgical year in that second decade of parenting. What to do when crafts and cooking aren’t enough—the oratory and the Liturgy of the Hours-specifically prayer together as a family–is the answer.
Leila says
Carol, thank you for that observation — this is what I think too. When it all seems like “doing things” or “cooking/baking things”, the little oratory gives a center to the liturgical life.
I agree about the helps we find using the apps for the breviary, and the article does comment on that as well. So many of us are stuck in isolation from people who have the know-how and can pass it along. The apps get us going. I too would be lost without my Universalis — among other things, you need the complete breviary to get all the readings in the Office of Readings!
Patty says
I’d love this cd!
BridgetAnn says
Thank you for the opportunity to win this beautiful music! And thanks for the weekly post. I’m sure you all are very busy!
Clare says
I would love a copy of this CD! Thank you!
Laura in Ontario says
I am part Ukranian and I would love to listen to this CD! Thank you for the chance to win.
monthlychanges says
Sacred music is missing from my music library, but I’d like to add it.
Monica Olsen says
Me please! We go to vespers every Wednesday and Saturday nights and it is dear to my heart
Joanne says
I would love to win. On some Sundays I go to the Church of Saint Agnes and attend vespers and benediction. The music is other worldly and beautiful. Love the article on waking early to pray. Its a struggle when the sleep the night before has been challenged,I wonder how productive my prayer time is when I am so bleary and grumpy. The article addressed that. Thank you Leila.
Michelle says
The notion of “Ukrainianized Church Slavonic” sounds perfectly splendid to my Ukrainian husband and the rest of our Orthhodox family! Lovely. <3
Mary McCarthy says
I would love a copy! My kids are really starting to enjoy listening to sacred music and would love this!
Mignon says
I’m excited to enter a spot for your latest giveaway, as I am an eastern music afficionado! (And a Byzantine Catholic too!). Thanks for introducing us all to this composer
Hannah says
This CD would be amazing!!
staralfur21 says
Oh I would love to win! Thanks for always hosting the best giveaways! Xoxo
Ken Haduch says
Great posts and the music is indeed heavenly! It would be great to hear more… and as usual, a great collection of links! A blessed Advent to all!
Amy says
Thank you for the opportunity.
Lisa says
I would love to win!
Sarah says
I would love to win the cd!!
Kristen says
Thanks for the chance to win! My husband in particular would love this.
Monica Frost says
Would love to own the CD!
Veronica says
Leila, I”m so glad I’m here. You give breath to my soul. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Thank you for the giveaway! Beautiful music.
Holly says
I’d love to snag a copy! I grew up going to both the Latin and Byzantine churches. The Byzantine Liturgy is lovely. You might also enjoy the Canon of St Andrew of Crete and the Presanctified Liturgy. The Lenten music in the Byzantine church is hands down wonderful.
Michelle says
Thank you – our family would love it!
Leah says
I would love to win this CD!
Jessica F says
My husband would love that CD! (He’s a quarter Ukrainian and loves chant!)
Allie says
I’d love to win this lovely cd!
Catherine says
My husband would love this! If I don’t win, I will be purchasing copy! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Tomlinson says
Thank you for sharing! I think my husband would love this.
Kaitlin says
Would love to win, how beautiful.
Renee says
Would love this CD, Thank you!
Kelly says
I’d love to win cd of this beautiful music! Thanks for the chance.
Anna says
I’d love one!
Barbara Juneau says
This is a beautiful gift and I would love to know more about his Traditional chant. It is so much needed in our world..
Erin says
I would love to win 🙂
Teresa says
Leila, I am so grateful to you for these introductions to such sublime music. It is balm to my soul and lifts my heart to God. Thank you so much!
Victoria says
My husband is a Byzantiphile and would love having this CD! Thanks for the great articles and the give-away!
Alice T Baldwin says
I hope I’m not too late…… I would love this!
Amie Butler says
I am so excited to learn about this cd! Even if I don’t win, I look forward to ordering it!
Amanda says
I hope I’m not too late as well! Loved your links — especially the one about the women pioneers of liturgical living.
Wysteria says
Leila, I need to thank you so much for what you do. I look forward to your email every week and usually read all of your linked articles (or have my computer read them to me while I work in the kitchen). I’m new to the church (and Christianity as a whole) and I consider you a wise resource and mentor even though we’ve never met or spoke. The CD sounds lovely. I am always looking for ways to bring more beauty into my home. Thank you for all you do, it means so much to me to have your emails in my inbox. God Bless.
mkenhanifywrites says
Absolutely lovely. Beautiful music, a blanket of sanity in a tumultuous world. Thank you, Leila. Merry Christmas.
Emily says
Thank you for the giveaway!
Tanya says
What a lovely giveaway! Please enter me .
Claudia says
what a great giveaway! Please enter my name.
God Bless!
claudia says
can I enter my son’s name? He is a canon law professor at CUA, and loves to chant, and to teach his children to chant as well……
Jamie Salvucci says
Hey thanks for including my husband, Claudio Salvucci, article at Liturgical Arts Journal! He may as well be a Catholic celebrity with being mentioned on Leila Lawler’s blog!!!