A Very Marian Advent Prayer Service-Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland

A Very Marian Advent Prayer Service at Cathedral of Christ the Light!

Christmas is coming! We prepare with this special "lessons and carols" prayer service, waiting with Mary through that challenging last month for the birth of her Son and Our Lord Jesus Christ, features new Advent and Christmas carols by living Catholic artists.

Archbishop Cordileone is restoring the historic role of the Church as a patron of the arts by bringing together fine poets and composers to add to the canon of Advent and Christmas carols. Through his ministry at the Benedict XVI Institute, our great Catholic tradition of sacred music continues!

Come this year and hear the world premiere of two new carols honoring St. Francis of Assissi, in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of Mission Dolores by St. Junipero Serra (which is the birthday of San Francisco):

"See the Oxen Bending Low" with words by Fr. Dwight Longenecker and music by William J. Fritz honors the Christmas creche founded by St. Francis. And then the creative team put together a new hymn based on Fr. Longenecker's adaption in English of St. Francis' own words in " Salutations to Our Lady."

Register today to come on December 20th at 4:00 PM. Your generous Advent gift, if your means permit, help make this prayer service possible both for you and for others. Thank you.

BONUS GIFT FOR MUSIC DIRECTORS AND PARISH PRIESTS: For this Christmas season only ALL the new carols commissioned by Archbishop Cordileone through the Benedict XVI Institute may be used by any Catholic parish free of charge. Learn more at https://benedictinstitute.org/very-marian-advent-and-christmas-carols/

"St. Francis Salutations to Our Lady" and "See the Oxen Bending Low"

These carols, both based on the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, were commissioned by Archbishop Cordileone through the Benedict XVI Institute for 2025 in celebration of the coming 250th anniversary of the founding of San Francisco. We're thrilled to debut these new hyms this year, as they join next four in the canon of new Advent music commissioned by BXVI:

"While All the Earth in Darkness Sleeps"

Frank La Rocca and James Matthew Wilson, our composer and poet-in-residence respectively, teamed up last year to create a gorgeous new setting of the 6th century Akathist Hymn (still widely chanted in Eastern Orthodoxy, but less well-known to Roman Catholics). Hear Mary's lovely ancient titles in a new musical setting.

"Our Lady's Lullaby"

Fr. Dwight Longenecker put new words to a traditional Welsh lullaby Suo Gân (perhaps best known for its recent appearance in the Disney film Empire of the Son). Catholic composer William J. Fritz composed the new arrangement, which debuted at Star of the Sea last year. (Visit CyprianStudios to learn more about Will Fritz).

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Mark Nowakowski's collaboration with GK Chesterton has become an instant Christmas classic, gaining over 22,000 YouTube views. He is perhaps best-known for composing the score for the Mass of the Ages films. To learn more about Mark Nowakowski's work visit his website.

"Our Lady Expectant"

Based on a poem by Roseanne T. Sullivan and set to music by Wilhelmina Pariseau, Our Lady Expectant uses the language from the O Antiphons to express Mary's longing to see her child and Savior. This hymn is available for use both in concert version and in a simpler form suitable for parishes. Visit Mina Pariseau's website for more information.

All of these hymns have been made available this season by the composers to any Catholic Parish who wants them. To secure the music, contact the composers through their websites above.

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