Music of Mercy (New Oratorio based on the Divine Mercy Chaplet)

ROME, NOV. 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Audiences were thrilled once again by the Vatican's most popular musical artist and his most recent composition, based on the Divine Mercy devotion.

Monsignor Marco Frisina is a widely acclaimed specialist in the sacred. World Youth Day fans or those who partook in the days of prayer for Pope John Paul II will recognize some of the monsignor's works, such as "Jesus Christ, You Are My Life" and "Emmanuel."

Director of the Liturgical Office for the Vicariate of Rome since 1991, Monsignor Frisina has now added another gem to his enormous repertoire, "I Trust in You."

This sacred music, written for orchestra, choir and vocal soloists, is based upon the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the diary of St. Faustina Kowalska where she recounts revelations made to her during a series of encounters with Christ between 1931 and 1938.

The new melodies, harmonies and lyrics applied in Monsignor Frisina's piece take the devotion to new heights. The sense of awe it produced last week was considerably assisted by the location -- one of Rome's most exquisite churches.

Filled with illustrious frescoes, the Holy Spirit in Saxony Church was dedicated as a sanctuary of the Divine Mercy by Pope John Paul II in 1993. St. Faustina's fellow Polish nuns work at the church, helping pilgrims with devotional activities.

Nov. 5 gave these same pilgrims -- along with Romans, clergy, religious and Curia members -- the chance to enter into the spirit of the Divine Mercy with a Mass, followed by a concert designed to "help people pray," said Monsignor Frisina.

The soaring music stirred hearts under movements entitled, among others, "Turn Your Gaze to Him," "The Flame of Mercy," "O Holy Host" and "Because His Mercy is Eternal."

"What an almighty prayer!" exclaimed one participant, Hans Gonzales, a student at the Angelicum. It was the kind of response the composer was looking for.

Monsignor Frisina, chapel-master of the Musical Lateran Chapel since 1985 and founder of both the Rome diocesan orchestra and choir, aims to communicate the faith during and beyond liturgical celebrations through the medium of music.

Herein lies the secret ingredient for the success of this maestro.

"It's not enough to help the faithful sing and be animated if they're not truly praying at the same time," he says. "This is undoubtedly a difficult task to undertake but a fundamental one. … There are some great choirs out there who aren't as good as they could be, not for want of technical talent or tonality, just for the fact they don't help the congregation to pray because their own hearts aren't Christ-centered."

The monsignor is willing to share this vision for liturgical music with anyone seriously interested, either through his courses or through his Sunday "Mass of the Artists" in his role as rector of the Church of Santa Maria di Montesanto.

His newly produced "Divine Mercy" CD is available online. The piece already won praise from a special listener in 2003 when it was still in its working phase.

"It is with great emotion," said John Paul II, "that we have followed the oratorio composed by our dearest maestro Monsignor Marco Frisina, inspired by the human event and message of holiness of Sister Faustina Kowalska, a privileged witness to the Divine Mercy. … Already the title of the impressive musical piece proposes itself as an invocation which is recognized across the whole world."

Santo Spirito in Sassia

The origins of the Santo Spirito in Sassia complex date back to A.D. 727 when the Saxon king Ina founded the "Schola Saxonum" (from where the word "Sassia" derives), a refuge centre for pilgrims arriving in Rome to visit the Apostle Peter's tomb. The complex, destroyed by fire and pillage, was rebuilt by Marchionne d'Arezzo in 1198 under the pontificate of Innocent III. This pope entrusted the Order of the Hospital of Santo Spirito, established by Guido di Montpellier, with the creation of a hospital to help the sick, the poor and the "proietti" (abandoned and illegitimate babies).

Its subsequent reconstruction and enlargement are thought to have been carried out by the architect Baccio Pontelli between 1471 and 1478. The work happened on the initiative of Pope Sixtus IV, who was named "the great builder" due to the countless works he commissioned, such as the Corsia Sistina (Sistine Ward) adorned with a cycle of frescoes commemorating the history of the former hospital, its rebuilding and the biography of this famous Franciscan pope.

Having just spent 1 1/2 hours learning the Entrance Hymn for our Bishop's impending 'official' visit to celebrate our parish's Centennial, this seemed like a fitting thread to post.

Few are the Maronite parishes in the US that have a sufficiently large enough congregation from which to cull a choir. Father settled for 5 middle aged women, one 84 year old (!) and 3 children. First we learned the Aramaic words with which we will begin the hymn - Toe Bashlom (Come In Peace), then we learned the music, then we repeated the same music with the English text - and this was just the refrain! There is nothing worse than a group of untrained, albeit willing and enthusiastic parishioners, assembled into a 'choir'. What promised to be "only 20 minutes", turned into 90. Father insisted on singing it first .. then second ... then third .... lol! I'll leave the rest to your fertile imaginations :-)

"It is with great emotion," said John Paul II, "that we have followed the oratorio composed by our dearest maestro Monsignor Marco Frisina, inspired by the human event and message of holiness of Sister Faustina Kowalska, a privileged witness to the Divine Mercy....

Say unceasingly this Chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy.

When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior.

I'm sure I would enjoy every minute of this event :)

Rest assured that I will post it to the forum. There will be two bishops in attendance - Maronite and Latin Rites. The Knights of Columbus are providing a color guard. It's still too early to know for sure but I believe the NYS Lieutenant Governor will also be attending to deliver an official Proclamation.

The parish is quite small (only 48 families) who, like their RC counterparts, often skip liturgy or, out of convenience, attend a nearby RC parish. The "committed" are only a small handful, filled with great love for their faith and great devotion to this parish. The pastor is ... well ... a tireless worker. He keeps reminding everyone of the fact that Centennials occur only once in a hundred years. This being the 'official' visit of our new bishop, he wants to greet him with this beautiful hymn - Toe Bashlom - "Come in Peace, O Good Shepherd". If nothing else, the bishop (a younger man of great humility and beautiful spirit) will be appreciative of the effort. Will keep all informed :-)

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