It is a great honor for me to announce the upcoming premiere of my setting of St. Luke’s Passion. Here, I am providing all the available details in one place for the benefit of anyone interested in coming to the event in person or watching the event via live stream.
Errata: A note went out from the Benedict XVI Institute on March 18 that contained a mistake. I am, in fact, not the music director at Mater Dei parish, just the amateur parish composer. Also, I give full credit to Fr. Nobles both for suggesting and organizing the penance service that will take place with St. Luke’s Passion.
What
St. Luke’s Passion is a meditation in music on the passion narrative according to St. Luke, which I composed in 2023. It includes eighty-two verses from the Latin Vulgate sung by SATB choir with occasional accompaniment by string quartet. The setting employs a variety of musical textures, but much of the work is polyphonic. This sacred music concert will be combined with a penance service and priests will be available for individual confessions during the concert.
When
The sacred music concert will take place on March 20, 2024. The penance service begins at 7:00 PM central time, and the music should begin around 7:05 – 7:15 PM. The setting will require around 90 minutes to perform.
Where
The event takes place in the Church of the Incarnation at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. This is building number 7 on the following campus map: https://udallas.edu/offices/provost/_documents/Campus-Map.pdf
The event is free and open to all, but seating is limited. Out of respect for Our Lord and the sacred space, please wear your Sunday best if you plan to come in person.
Parking
The church will let the campus police department know about the event, so there should not be any problems parking in any of the nearby lots.
Additionally, the campus police show visitor parking available in front of Cardinal Farrell Hall (building number 1) and behind the library (building 9): https://udallas.edu/offices/police/parking-fees-policy.php
Live Stream
A live stream is being planned for those who cannot be present in person. The following link will eventually redirect to the live stream, once it is available: https://www.catholicliving.net/slplive
A PDF of the event program, conducive to online viewing, is attached at the bottom of this post under the heading Download Attachments. The program includes both the Latin Vulgate text and the English translation from the Douay Rheims, as well as some points for meditation and a few thoughts about the music.
Who
Fr. James Martin Nobles, OP, chaplain and rector of the Church of the Incarnation gave his permission to have this sacred music concert. The musicians are all local to the Dallas/Irving area, and include some very talented professionals and church musicians alike. Among the choir are several parish music directors or assistant music directors, including UD’s own Eric Lewis.
The Benedict XVI Institute is cosponsoring this sacred music concert. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone founded BenedictInstitute.org to promote more beautiful and reverent liturgy and to energize a Catholic culture of the arts. I am very thankful for their support and sponsorship!
I am very grateful to Fr. James Buckley, FSSP (deceased), who was instrumental in planting the seed for this work of music; for he advised me to read the 23rd chapter of St. Luke’s gospel as a model of how to suffer patiently. If it is asked, “Why St. Luke’s account rather than another?”, it is for this reason.
Likewise, I am indebted to the Benedictines of Mary, who are generously offering their prayers for the success of this endeavor.
Why
First and foremost, this sacred music concert has for its goal the fostering of greater devotion to the sacred passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, hopefully to win love and souls for Him. Fr. Nobles is very much behind the effort, stating:
I believe that it will truly be a once in a lifetime experience whereby sacramental grace and sacred music will lead to such a profound moment of contrition.
Decorum – IMPORTANT
This is a sacred music concert, but it is first and foremost a prayer taking place in a Catholic church, a sacred space, a house of prayer. Guests should respect the norms of Catholic modesty. Please wear your Sunday best and avoid immodest dress including low necklines, dress hems above the knee, bare midriffs, etc. All should be mindful that the church is a house of prayer, the abode of God, and that Jesus Christ is present in the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament. All should keep a respectful, prayerful silence, avoiding any unnecessary conversation.
At the conclusion of the event, please hold all applause until the outdoor reception of the musicians. There will be an opportunity to meet the musicians for a few minutes outside near the patio.
Other FAQs
Is the score available?
Yes, it is now available here. I am releasing it, as is my custom, under a Creative Commons license so that others may perform it for liturgical or devotional purposes without difficulty. O Vos Omnes, the postlude piece, is available at this post.
Will a recording be available after the performance?
Assuming all the technology works and goes well, then yes, I plan to have a recording. The live stream is still active, and I’ve added chapters to make navigating the long video easier.
Radio Interview on KATH 910 AM
The following is an interview (unscripted and unrehearsed) that aired on February 24 on KATH 910 AM, in which I got to tell listeners something about St. Luke’s Passion. On my first answer, I was searching for words such as “… to console Jesus, who is so little loved…” but aside from a bit of rambling there, the interview went smoothly.
Hello! I have a question. I am an enthusiastic Catholic and so would not mind the penance and prayer at all, but I am considering inviting a friend of mine, very cultured though not Christian, in the hopes the beauty of the faith influences them positively and that so many people attend this event happens every year. What is the “penance service” part going to be like? Is there going to be mea culpa breast beating? Should I bring my own discipline scourge or will one be passed around? :^)
All are welcome. The penance service consists of some readings and prayers. It is not an act of public mortification. Please do not bring any instruments of discipline. Individual confessions will be available for Catholics who would like to go to confession. Thank you!