Edinburgh Festival and the St Margaret Schola

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep

Those who know me personally understand my penchance for Gregorian Chant and how I consider it far and away superior to any Kumbaya style singing at Mass or any other religious gathering.  Yes, I know I am not very good at the chant and freely acknowledge my upper register was left behind during my pubescent years.  My long suffering schola director just smiles now and raises his eyes to heaven as I warble off pitch and end up in the basso profundo region.  

The schola was very kindly requested to assist St Mary's R.C. Cathedral choir during the world renown Edinburgh International Festival this year.  Along with the very competent Cathedral choir under the direction of Simon Nieminski we sang Vespers each Saturday during August to audiences of 100 plus each week.  In addition the schola sang Compline at 9 p.m. each Sunday evening; first Sunday in the Benedictine Rite, the following Sunday Roman, then Cistercian and on the last Sunday the Sarum usage.  

Sarum is not a "Rite" as such and was only introduced latterly into Scotland just before the Reformation in Glasgow and Aberdeen Dioceses.  As is was not widely used some serious research was required to ensure authenticity.  It was particularly challenging as the Latin pronunciation is profoundly different in places and, should your attention waver, one may slip into the norm without noticing.  Happy to say we were on form that evening and all syllables were clearly and correctly formed and enunciated.

Some examples: 

Celi (Sarum spelling of cæli)  - as in English “celestial”,

Genitrix – exactly as in English “generate”,

Ascendit – exactly as in English “ascent”.

Ecce – eck-say.

Dignus – dig-noose.

Between rehearsals and performances it was a very full month, with much travelling between Edinburgh and home.  So full in fact I was unable to do any fly fishing at all - the things I give up for Holy Mother Church!  Ach well at least the salmon were spared the sight of me splashing about the river like a beached whale whilst snagging my hook on every tree and bush on the banks.

I wonder if anyone else remembers the song from the words I used in the header?

Oblates Weekend - Monday UPDATED

As the old adage goes - all good things must come to an end; and so it was for this Oblates Weekend.  

Those fellow oblates with whom I spoke all agreed it had been very worthwhile, edifying both body and soul with many intellectually stimulating (and challenging) addresses by noted presenters.

The official programme ended most fittingly with Mass, the Homily being delivered by our much loved and respected Oblate Master Fr. Birrell and during which Oblates stood and verbally renewed their Oblations.

• Pluscarden Oblates will have by now received their individual Oblation Renewal papers which should, in line with the norms, be renewed and signed ideally on the 21st November, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady.

Immediately after Mass both Fr. Birrell and Br. Michael departed for Kornelimunster in Germany to participate in a meeting of Subiaco monks from Northern Europe.

Will there be another Oblates weekend?  Perhaps, but the logistics, costs and disruption to the community's Ora et Labora suggest this will be a one off.  I have the feeling future Oblate "bashes" will be one day affairs.  Until that day arrives Oblates may wish to join up with their local group meetings - addresses are in the latest Oblates letter.

UPDATE

The DVD is now available to all oblates.  There was so much to include I made it into a double DVD set.  Please email me initially with your details and I shall be happy to burn off a  set for you.  

A suitable donation (made payable to Pluscarden Abbey) should be enclosed in your confirmatory letter.