Paraclete Press Blog

By Sr. Spero One of the beauties of Gregorian chant has nothing to do with music. By singing the psalms over and over, chant penetrates the soul, and the psalms take on layers of meaning. Monks and nuns for centuries … Continue reading →

By Sr. Fidelis In many of the ancient Graduales, the first page usually displays a beautifully decorated “A”, because the introit for the first week of Advent is Ad te levavi – To you do I lift up my soul. … Continue reading →

By Sr. Fidelis In many of the ancient Graduales, the first page usually displays a beautifully decorated “A”, because the introit for the first week of Advent is Ad te levavi – To you do I lift up my soul. … Continue reading →

By Sr. Fidelis In many of the ancient Graduales, the first page usually displays a beautifully decorated “A”, because the introit for the first week of Advent is Ad te levavi – To you do I lift up my soul. … Continue reading →

By Faithful Finch I’m finding that being a docent at the Church of the Transfiguration, I learn new things all the time! I was researching the vow of conversion. This is the demanding vow for everyday change from self, to be … Continue reading →

Birth: Wonder…Astonishment…Adoration. There can’t be very many of us for whom the sheer fact of existence hasn’t rocked us back on our heels. We take off our sandals before the burning bush. We catch our breath at the sight of … Continue reading →

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing By James Weldon Johnson Lift ev’ry voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list’ning skies, Let it resound loud as the … Continue reading →

By Sunset Septuagint One of my favorite things to contemplate in the Church of the Transfiguration’s mosaic apse is the New Jerusalem above Christ in Glory. The tesserae sparkle in brilliant shades of red, blue and gold. Buildings of different … Continue reading →

By Sr. Fidelis It never fails to amaze me that the texts chosen for a particular week in the Church Year have layers of meaning for us. This final week before Advent begins is no exception. The Introit takes verses … Continue reading →