Category Archives: music

The singing Ursuline sister: “I have a gift to give”

Posted on March 24, 2014 by

ROME — Pope Francis’ call for the church to “get out onto the streets” and evangelize helped inspire 25-year-old Ursuline Sister Cristina Scuccia to hit the stage and sing before millions of viewers last week. “I have a gift and … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, music, vocations | 24 Comments

Chanting a Christmas countdown

Posted on December 19, 2013 by

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis gave a plug for the “O Antiphons” in his homily today, urging people to recite these beautiful expressions of longing for the coming of the Messiah. He said these prayers get people in the right … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, music, Vatican | 1 Comment

It’s never too early to think about Christmas wishlists…

Posted on November 20, 2013 by

VATICAN CITY — Have you attended one of the pope’s weekly general audiences in St. Peter’s Square? If so and you’d like a memento of that day, you should know that you can order online a DVD of Vatican Television’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Conclave, media, music, Vatican

Encore: the Vatican’s conductor in red

VATICAN CITY — Imagine a musical conductor dressed in red instead of the traditional black. On May 15, 2011, Italian Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, who died today at the age of 96, was wearing his cardinal red as he directed a … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on November 11, 2013 by

How art is saving art

Posted on November 7, 2013 by

By Caroline Hroncich VATICAN CITY–The sound of haunting “Glorias!” billowed through the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome Nov. 4 as the Orchestra and Choir of Naples’ Teatro San Carlo performed Nino Rota’s Mysterium. The basilica was packed, but … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, music, Vatican

World of choirs arrives in nation’s capital with Pueri Cantores festival; helps celebrate Independence Day

Posted on July 9, 2013 by

By Zoey Di Mauro WASHINGTON –- Last week, among those gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate Independence Day were Catholic choirs from all around the world. The Vatican’s official group of children singers, Pueri Cantores, met in Washington for … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, music

Nuns’ CD ‘Advent at Ephesus’ now heard ’round the world

Posted on November 28, 2012 by

“A worldwide album distribution deal” doesn’t sound at all like something that would apply to the musical artistry of  members of a Benedictine cloister set in the rolling farmland of  northwest Missouri. But indeed it does. Just over a week … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic press, CNS, music | 6 Comments