Vespers at St Vincent Archabbey

[Narodnik47]

that felt so peaceful... my uncle, a priest, sang a chant that sounded very much like this (tho im not sure if the words were the same), and I didnt understand -- hearing it like this, I understand. I might start going to church again, if I can find one like that!

[happyshear]

To all who oppose the renovation: monks are there to serve God and not to die of moldy walls and such. If you love and all fashion, bit up, rundown church or monastery, than build up one for yourselves and live in it. Peace and good will.

[MyBetty111]

The church was wreckovated after Vatican II. It was destroyed. Now it looks like a massive spartan bank vault. ONe simply cannot defend this. When you sack altars and replace them with kitchen tables and bare walls, you have a rpoblem. This was once a great abbey but no more.

[jgrisso07]

This looks like a magnificent place! If I actually have the courage to do it, this would be the place I'd be a monk at.

[Audinos]

This must have been a beautiful church before it was wreckovated.

[hfcpa36]

can anyone please tell me the hymn being sung with the organ? I am catholic but the sound is a bit muffled. i would really appreciate it thanks! from a Catholic in Pretoria, South Africa

[MyBetty111]

THis is a liberal abbey, I hear, very Novus Ordo and not traditional.

[paxlily1]

@MyBetty111 These are some of the godliest priests I have ever met

[paxlily1]

@MyBetty111 These are some of the godliest priests I have ever met

God bless you with peace

[tlaniganschmidt]

a long time ago (1964) my brother was studying there at St.Vincents.As a little kid we were shown pictures of how Churches in Cuba were desecrated.Back in 1964 i remember how beautiful St.Vincent's was.It amazes me how our own Catholic Clergy has made Catholic Churches so ugly.Vatican2 turned out to be a real red-herring.The Laity was told how the priest had his back to us at Mass & it was all about him.Well ,St Benedict was right about priests being overly proud.Now the priest is everything.

[Drkstar4life]

@nickelsT it wasn't mass that they showed it was mid day prayer or morning prayer before mass. And no prayer is plain Jane it's the prayer that counts

[tlaniganschmidt]

@Drkstar4life nope...Christ pulled out all the stops when it came to special-effects.Angels filling the sky for shepards.

And the Transfiguration was done for a reason.We are humans.We are not dis-embodied intellects that fixate on words alone.That's when Christ used words he told picture-stories called parables. Fine 4 you if you if you are indifferent to the aesthetics of Liturgical-Praxis. People are not shallow,just because they love through-beauty.The Abbey is ugly to emphasize the WORDS?

[MyBetty111]

The FSSPX Benedictines do it better.

[nickelsT]

Did the Modernists gut the high altar of this church? Beautiful music, but where's the incense, the eceremony? Seems rather plain Jane to me!

[danthrplgst]

@nickelsT incense isn't used during the Liturgy of the Hours unless it's a solemn celebration of the hours.

[RolfErick]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. I made my final oblation this past weekend and am kind of feeling homesick being away from the abbey. Joining the monks in the prayer offices is for me a little bit of heaven.

Thank You!!

[trebor3615]

Stanza 5:

5. Almighty Father, hear our cry,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,

Whom in the Spirit we adore,

Who reigns with you for evermore. Amen.

[trebor3615]

Stanzas 3-4: 3: Forgive the sins we cannot bear, Lest, overwhelmed by earthly care, The mind forget eternal life, And dwell in exile from its light. 4: Let Heaven's spirit pulse within, To purge away all grievous sin, Thus, casting ev'ry fear away, We take by storm high heaven's gate.

[trebor3615]

Here are the verses to "O Splendor of Eternal Light" stanzas 1-2: 1: O Splendor of Eternal Light, Who in full glory dwell on high, The world began as light from light, All goodness in the Father's sight 2: Upon the twilight chaos played, Your wisdom forming night and day. As night decends to you we sing, To hover near on brooding wing.

[o2bnov0307]

As I watched the person walk in the front door, I thought I was seeing someone enter St Benedict Church in Richmond, VA, USA. I can't forget to include St. Benedict Church in Baltimore, MD. Sizes are different, but those entrances are sure a lot alike. Did Fr. Michael McInerney - a monk out of Belmont Abbey in North Carolina - have a role in the Archabbey's church?

[EricBlaine]

I really enjoyed making this video. Contact me if you need any information on how we did it. I used a Sony DSR PD170 and a Panasonic 3ccd camera. And we did post production in Final Cut Pro.

[centexn]

Thanks for the responses. Googled "Splendor of Eternal Light" with no results. Where can I find the music and text for this hymn?

Timothy

[trebor3615]

Thanks. Only suggestion would be to contact the Choirmaster at St. Vincent's.

[centexn]

What is the name of the hymn, or whatever, at 2:06?

This question was asked before but no one has bothered to answer. Can I get some help here???

Blessings, Timothy

[Nptgaguy]

Hi, the Hymn is called the "Salve Regina" and is traditional sung/chanted in Monasteries at the end of night prayer. Most music sites on the net will have various recordings of it, if you would like to hear all of it.

Good luck, Paul. (Newport, S. Wales, UK).

[trebor3615]

The hymn at 2:06 is called "Splendor of Eternal Light" and I think it is Mode II but memory on that detail fails. There are two Modes for this hymn. It is one of my favorites as well!! Hope this is helpful.

[spasjt]

I am trying to enter the St. Joseph's seminary in Covington, LA this fall. It is run by the Benedictines though it is a very small community.

I don't think God is calling me to be a benedictine but the vespers and similar forms of prayer will always be very special to me.

[korona141]

I studied at St. Vincent Seminary. This Seminary is open for diocesan and monks. I am a priest.

You just need to ask your supperiors of bishop for permission. This is one of the best seminary.

[degocamon]

It is a Verspers hymn, no t a psalm. Unfortunately this video doesn´t contain all Vesper service. Benedictine monks use to sing the whole Divine Office.

[greg1347]

I am writing a paper on a vesper service and was wondering if anyone who has been to one with monks could tell me what it was like and what their experience was like. How is the singing arranged? This video is beautiful but it is hard to tell who is doing what. Thanks so much for any help.

[UIOGDBenedict]

I have been at Divine Office many times at St. Vincent. Unless it is too late, I could offer you some help.

[dhq2008]

Who's Father Ted?

[dawnl123]

From an Oblate of St. Benedict who wishes with all her heart to be a full-on habit wearing Sister to her Benedictine Brothers and Spiritual Fathers in Christ -- Beautiful! Just Beautiful!

Oremus! In Christ Jesus we find ourselves One Body in His Holy and Magnificent Name!

Dawn Lapka

[MatthewFlynn]

Exellent job!

[ciarom23]

i like the Norbertine vespers. Really nice.

[Fednurse]

A beautiful video. As a Augustinian living outside of a religious community, and working in a lay environment, the video reminds me of my vows to God, my Community members and the lay world.

There is a local Bendicitine Monastery near where I live and if I didnt know better I would think that this filmed there....true univeralis. Br. John Bartholomew.

[stoogeswoman]

So which is better, to have an ideal that you try and fail to live up to - or to not have an ideal at all?

[AnbaKyrillos]

Your comment reminds me of a story found in the annals of the Desert Fathers. Once a man asked what a monk does all day and the monk replied, "we fall down, we get up; we fall down, we get up." This reality is firmly implanted in all consecrated religious. It is by God's grace alone that all of our falls has not brought about our earth's destruction. I've met a few of the characters you referred to but I think you need to go back to one of these places to see how much things are a changing.

[geode00]

All that means is that you need to look at

another community where you are a 'fit' for

what they are offering and you have to give.

Don't give up! In Christ + A Monk

[dharmafriend]

A beautifully made vidio, and a blessing to all who see and listen:

[sanctus50470]

You don't have to be perfect to worship God. That's a given fact. In Genesis, some angels committed sin even if they were created perfect. How much more with human beings? Repentance is the key word...

[thegreekgods007]

I miss some of this bull shit... where you can enter the Church and feel good about yourself then outside treat people like shit and think it's okay because you know what, who is perfect? uh?

[AnbaKyrillos]

GreekGods007-what are you talking about? Is your comment supposed to be a characterization of the monks in the video, those who enter the Church, or just a rant? These monks are pretty mild men, and I think they are fairly aware of their failings. Let none of us think we are better than others, and when we do fall into such ways, pray to be delivered. Cheers, Cyril

[geo872]

at 2.09 what is that hymn????

[kenroth]

The Salve Regina is properly sung at the end of compline, not vespers.

[AnbaKyrillos]

You are correct. However, the community does not celebrate compline together (only the novices). With the Benedictus in the morning, the only time in the day that the community can come together and sing a Marian anthem is Vespers. This 'half-wayedness' is one of the many reasons that I doubt entering the community despite many visits. The men here are very warm and very busy doing good things for God. Do not think badly of the monks because of this discrepancy.

[lapsatus]

Singing the Salve Regina (or another Marian antiphon) after Vespers is an older custom. After commemorations (and the other vespers services - Our Lady, etc.,) an antiphon and collect were done to our Lady at Her altar or image.

It's like the woman I know, who complains that not kneeling to receive the Eucharist is "Eucharistic abuse." But this is exactly the opposite of the ancient, universal custom.

Best not to be overzealous in our critiques.

[empisilvertop]

The Monks have the special vocation to love the only one who knows what love is about, their creator. A man is made for his creator no matter what his vocation.

[FlorianRebel]

God bless our catholic brothers and sisters in the States.

[Ukieboi83]

DerOrgelmeister, do you mean at the end of vespers? They are singing the Salve Regina.

[DerOrgelmeister]

what hymn are they singing?

[boer1947]

Dear Friend: Keep in mind that Sister[ now Saint] Faustina of the Divine Mercy was turned down my many convents she tried to enter. No convent wanted her. No human knew she was to be selected by Jesus to be secrtary of Divine Mercy. Keep on looking and asking. The church does need weell intentioned men like you. Good luck in your quest. Be like Saint Faustina...when she was turned down..she trusted in Divine Providence and looked elsewhere until she was accepted.

[gadflyfrance]

Do not lose heart my friends! St Vincent has a different approach in many ways at looking at men considering joining them. It does only one thing, St Vincent may not be God's place for you but other Benedictine community can be your home. Try looking at the English Benedictine Congregation in MO, RI and Washington DC. Try to also see someone who can show you realistically where God is calling you. With prayerful thoughts- Xavier

[Natedogg614]

God bless St. Vincent College!

[marie072]

Thank you for sharing this video. I attended vespers when I lived in Unity Township and attended St. Vincent's parish. This is a wonderful way to share this experience!

[duongjoseph]

Don't be afraid! God choose the weak ones to shame the strong ones.

[thebeautifullife]

awesome..thanks for posting/sharing! :)

[PraiseDivineMercy]

This is nice. Thanks, I've been trying to explain to friends what it is like--now I can show them this at least, although my experience was with the Carmelite sisters.

[Ukieboi83]

Wow, I was surprised to come across this video! I attended St. Vincent College and was daily at vespers. Thank you for doing this!