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Pope Leo: Mary's song, the Magnificat, strengthens our hope
Pope Leo: Mary's song, the Magnificat, strengthens our hope

Herald Malaysia

time3 days ago

  • General
  • Herald Malaysia

Pope Leo: Mary's song, the Magnificat, strengthens our hope

During Mass in Castel Gandolfo for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Leo XIV marvels how Mary's 'yes' gives hope to us today, saying we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, which changed the course of history. Aug 16, 2025 Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo (@Vatican Media) By Deborah Castellano Lubov "Mary's song, Magnificat , strengthens the hope of the humble, the hungry, the faithful servants of God." Pope Leo XIV gave this reminder during the Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo on 15 August 2025. The Holy Father began his homily by observing that although today is not Sunday, "we celebrate in another way the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, which changed the course of history." "In Mary of Nazareth," he continued, "we recognize our own history: the history of the Church, immersed in the common lot of humanity. By taking flesh in her, the God of life and of freedom has conquered death." The Pope recalled that on this Solemnity we contemplate how God overcomes death, yet never without us. "His is the Kingdom, but," he explained, "ours is the 'yes' to his love that can change everything." On the Cross, the Pope said, Jesus freely uttered that 'yes' which would strip death of its power—the death that still spreads wherever our hands crucify and our hearts remain imprisoned by fear and mistrust. On the Cross, trust prevailed; so did love, which sees what is yet to come; and forgiveness triumphed. That 'yes' still lives The Pope recalled to those present in the parish that Mary was there by the Cross united with her Son. "In our day, we are like Mary whenever we do not flee, whenever we make Jesus' 'yes' our own. "That 'yes,'" Pope Leo marveled, "still lives and resists death in the martyrs of our time, in witnesses of faith and justice, of gentleness and peace. Thus this day of joy becomes also a day that calls us to choose—how and for whom we shall live." The Pope went on to remember how we listened to the Gospel passage on the Visitation, in which Saint Luke recorded "a decisive moment" in Mary's vocation. Magnificat As "we celebrate the crowning moment of her life," Pope Leo said, "It is beautiful to recall that day." While he observed that "every human story, even that of the Mother of God, is brief on this earth and comes to an end," he went on to reflect, "Yet nothing is lost. When a life ends, its uniqueness shines even more clearly." The Pope explained that Mary's Magnificat radiated the light of all her days, and that the surprising fruitfulness of barren Elizabeth confirmed Mary in her trust, for "it anticipated the fruitfulness of her 'yes,' which extends to the fruitfulness of the Church and of all humanity whenever God's renewing Word is welcomed." God breaks through our despair Reflecting on Friday's Solemnity, the Holy Father highlighted that the Resurrection enters our world even today. "The words and choices of death may seem to prevail, but the life of God breaks through our despair through concrete experiences of fraternity and new gestures of solidarity," and "prior to being our final destiny, the Resurrection transforms—in soul and body—our dwelling on earth." Hence, the Pope reflected, "Mary's song, Magnificat , strengthens the hope of the humble, the hungry, the faithful servants of God." God's Word continues to be brought to light Pope Leo reassured that despite something seeming impossible, God's Word continues to be brought to light. "When bonds are born, with which we confront evil with good and death with life," he said, "we see that 'nothing will be impossible with God' ( Lk 1:37)." Pope Leo recalls poor and persecuted Christian communities The Pope warned against when self-reliance prevails and consciences are dulled. "Instead of letting the old world pass away, one clings to it still, seeking the help of the rich and powerful, which often comes with contempt for the poor and lowly." However, Pope Leo acknowledged, the Church lives in her fragile members, and she is renewed by their Magnificat . "Even in our own day, the poor and persecuted Christian communities, the witnesses of tenderness and forgiveness in places of conflict, and the peacemakers and bridge-builders in a broken world, are the joy of the Church," he reaffirmed, saying, "They are her enduring fruitfulness, the first fruits of the Kingdom to come." Let us be converted by their witness Recalling that many of them, like the elderly Elizabeth and the young Mary, are women, "Paschal women, apostles of the Resurrection," Pope Leo implored, "Let us be converted by their witness!" Addressing the faithful, Pope Leo stressed that "when in this life we 'choose life,' "we are right to see in Mary, assumed into heaven, our own destiny." "She," the Pope continued, "is given to us as the sign that the Resurrection of Jesus was no isolated event, no mere exception." Mary: wondrous union of grace and freedom Mary, the Pope said, is that wondrous union of grace and freedom, which urges each of us to have trust, courage, and participation in the life of God's people," especially as she says, 'He who is mighty has done great things for me' ( Lk 1:49). With this in mind, Pope Leo said, "may each of us know this joy and proclaim it with a new song. Let us not be afraid to choose life!" Even if "it may seem risky and imprudent. Many voices whisper: 'Why bother? Let it go. Think of your own interests,' he said; such suggestions are "voices of death," and we instead "are disciples of Christ." "It is His love that drives us—soul and body—in our time." Pope Leo concluded by stressing that only when we, as individuals and as the Church, no longer live for ourselves, life spreads and life can prevail.--Vatican News

Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June
Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June

Scoop

time29-04-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Scoop

Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June

Press Release – Elephant Publicity Join the renowned Bach Musica NZ, New Zealand's leading combined choir and orchestra, at the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 22 June for an evening of exquisite performance with Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor & C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat. The June concert welcomes young award-winning pianist, Madeleine Xiao, as soloist in Mozart's famous Piano Concerto in D minor. Madeleine began learning the piano at age five. At just 16, she went on to study a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland. She won 3rd place at the National Concerto Competition in 2023 and received the Royal Overseas League Pettman Scholarship in 2024. In the second half of the concert, Bach Musica NZ's chorus and orchestra present the 45-minute glorious Magnificat by C.P.E. Bach, the gifted son of J.S. Bach. They are joined by vocal soloists Joanna Foote (soprano), 2024 Lexus Song Quest winner Katie Trigg (alto), Taliai Fifita (tenor) and Edward Laurenson (baritone). This concert is conducted by Bach Musica NZ's Music & Artistic Director, Rita Paczian. 'Mozart and Bach will forever remain two of the greatest composers, and that includes the gifted son Carl Philip Emanuel. His Magnificat is magnificent!' says Paczian. Bach Musica NZ also continue their popular workshop series, with their Sight-Reading Workshop on Saturday 17 May and Singing Workshop on Saturday 1 November. All ages and skill levels are welcome. 'Bach Musica NZ offers a great shout of joy. With a lively Rita Paczian on harpsichord, surrounded by her string players, Bach's Gloria opened with a high celebration and ended with another, chorus and full orchestra giving their considerable all.' – William Dart, NZ Herald Mozart Piano Concerto in D minor & C.P.E. Bach Magnificat Sunday 22 June 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Madeleine Xiao Piano Joanna Foote Soprano Katie Trigg Alto Taliai Fifita Tenor Edward Laurenson Baritone Content Sourced from Original url

Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June
Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June

Scoop

time29-04-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Scoop

Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June

Join the renowned Bach Musica NZ, New Zealand's leading combined choir and orchestra, at the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 22 June for an evening of exquisite performance with Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor & C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat. The June concert welcomes young award-winning pianist, Madeleine Xiao, as soloist in Mozart's famous Piano Concerto in D minor. Madeleine began learning the piano at age five. At just 16, she went on to study a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland. She won 3rd place at the National Concerto Competition in 2023 and received the Royal Overseas League Pettman Scholarship in 2024. In the second half of the concert, Bach Musica NZ's chorus and orchestra present the 45-minute glorious Magnificat by C.P.E. Bach, the gifted son of J.S. Bach. They are joined by vocal soloists Joanna Foote (soprano), 2024 Lexus Song Quest winner Katie Trigg (alto), Taliai Fifita (tenor) and Edward Laurenson (baritone). This concert is conducted by Bach Musica NZ's Music & Artistic Director, Rita Paczian. 'Mozart and Bach will forever remain two of the greatest composers, and that includes the gifted son Carl Philip Emanuel. His Magnificat is magnificent!' says Paczian. Bach Musica NZ also continue their popular workshop series, with their Sight-Reading Workshop on Saturday 17 May and Singing Workshop on Saturday 1 November. All ages and skill levels are welcome. "Bach Musica NZ offers a great shout of joy. With a lively Rita Paczian on harpsichord, surrounded by her string players, Bach's Gloria opened with a high celebration and ended with another, chorus and full orchestra giving their considerable all." – William Dart, NZ Herald Bach Musica NZ's full programme can be found here: Mozart Piano Concerto in D minor & C.P.E. Bach Magnificat Sunday 22 June 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Madeleine Xiao Piano Joanna Foote Soprano Katie Trigg Alto Taliai Fifita Tenor Baritone

Being knighted by ‘music lover' Charles very special – composer Sir John Rutter
Being knighted by ‘music lover' Charles very special – composer Sir John Rutter

The Independent

time18-02-2025

  • Entertainment
  • The Independent

Being knighted by ‘music lover' Charles very special – composer Sir John Rutter

Composer Sir John Rutter said it was 'very special' to receive a knighthood from the King because Charles is a 'music lover'. Sir John, who is also a conductor, editor and arranger, was honoured on Tuesday for services to music at Buckingham Palace. Speaking after the ceremony, he said he was 'surprised and delighted' to have been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours List. He said: ' One of the things that made today's ceremony very special for me was the fact that I was being knighted by a music lover, somebody to whom music is very important and who appreciates its value and its place in our national life, and who I think is a wonderful figurehead for everybody who wants to engage in music, whether as a performer or as a composer or just a supporter and so, I felt that, in a sense, I was talking, and he spoke very pleasantly with me, almost like with a friend, and I think that's what made it special.' Sir John is best known for his choral compositions, including Christmas carols, anthems and extended works such as the Gloria, the Requiem and the Magnificat. The musician has previously had works commissioned for major royal events including Queen Elizabeth II's golden jubilee and the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011. More recently, the first two choral items sung at the late Queen's platinum jubilee national service of thanksgiving in June 2022, and six pieces performed at the coronation of King Charles, were arrangements by Sir John. Asked how it felt to have his music be the soundtrack of some of the most significant events in the lives of the Royal family, he said: 'If I worried about how many people were going to be witnessing the occasion on television or radio, I wouldn't ever pick up my pencil and so, for example, when I was invited to write an anthem for Prince William and Kate's wedding, I just thought, well, they are a young couple. 'I don't know them personally, though I did speak with them, but I know that it will be a special day for them and so I'm, as it were, writing a piece of music for two lovely young people who are having a special day in their lives and I didn't worry. 'I don't think any of the musicians taking part worried about the fact that it was witnessed by an estimated two billion people. 'I think, you know, that would just make your pen freeze in your hand. 'As a composer, you just get on with the job and enjoy the occasion.' Sir John said that, whether he was composing for his local church or a royal event, 'every day' in his career was special. He continued: 'Everybody who's involved in making music does it for love, whether they get paid or not, and I parachute in as a composer and get to meet those who actually make the music, who sing or who play, and I just conduct generally, if it's something I've written, then I'm bringing my child to life, as it were, which is always a thrill. 'So, I wouldn't single out any one moment. 'I've been fortunate to be asked to write music for various royal occasions, but then I've been asked to write music for my local church choir or just for a wedding of a couple of friends. 'They're all special.' Sir John was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to music in the 2007 New Year Honours, and in 2023 he became a Fellow of The Ivors Academy.

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