A First Holy Communion Gift for our Godson

by | May 7, 2017 | , , , | 7 Comments

Toady one of our Godsons made his First Holy Communion! It was such a joy and blessing to be able to attend the Mass and watch him receive Our Lord for the first time! 

One of my favorite First Holy Communion gifts to give is the Jesus, Make Me Worthy prayer book. I’ve shared many prayers from this sweet and inspiring book here on the blog over the years.

To go along with the book I also ordered a customized Missal Cover (with the Adorned Eucharist image) and had our Godson’s name embroidered onto the back as well.  I still haven’t had a chance to post pictures of this year’s Easter baskets, but many of our older children received missal or bible covers this Easter as well, thanks to some trade credit from past advertising combined with commissions from recent apron sales over at Catholic Cuisine! The covers are all gorgeous and I look forward to sharing some pictures of the rest sometime soon. 

The Blessed Sacrament Gift Wrap, Holy Cards, and First Holy Communion Greeting Card all came from an amazing sale over at Trademark Catholic Stationary & Gifts last January! (I couldn’t believe the prices… The gift wrap was marked down to just 25 cents a package and I ordered four packages for just $1.00! Thanks again for letting me know, Pam! I wish I would have posted a link here on the blog so you all could have taken advantage of the sale too… I was in the midst of recovering from the flu at the time.) I stocked up and was able to give our girls some beautiful note cards and stationary in their Easter baskets!

The hour for which I longed for has come, and I am to approach (for the first time) the altar of God, to receive the bread of angels, the sacred Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Jesus, most merciful, most worthy of love, Thou hast loved me and given Thyself not only to suffering and death, but also to become food for my soul, to remain with me until the end of my life…
– excerpt from First Communion Day Act of Faith in Jesus, Make Me Worthy
Congratulations to our handsome Godson! 

A Spiritual Bouquet and Baby Gift for Lena

by | May 5, 2017 | , | 15 Comments

A large Bouquet of Roses
Flowers that will never fade
A Novena of Rosaries
With love in each Decade!

Lena over at JOY{filled} family (also on Instagram here and one of my past contributors over at Catholic Cuisine) is preparing to welcome her newest little boy  (baby #8!) on May 8th! If I lived nearby I’d host a baby shower for her, but instead I’m going to try my best to shower her and our soon-to-be newest Godson with prayers!

If you’d like to be included in this spiritual bouquet, please leave me a comment here, over at Instagram, or send me an email by May 7th with the number of rosaries – or Our Fathers, Hail Marys, Glory Be’s, if you can’t commit to one or more complete rosaries – that you will offer for her and her family and their new baby and I’ll include them in this card!

I’m also working on coordinating a group gift to have sent to her family. It’s the one new thing she’d love to purchase for this baby! You can find all the details here if you’d like to consider a small contribution towards this gift as well.

SaveSave

Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials

by | May 2, 2017 | | 4 Comments

I am so excited that it is finally May! I’m really looking forward to celebrating sacraments, finishing up our school year, and preparing to welcome our new baby next month!

It’s time for another quarterly update on all my amazing sponsors here at Shower of Roses. I also have some great coupon codes to share with you as well!

Please welcome my new sponsors:

Our Catholic faith is an incredible gift. It sustains us and guides us, yet at times during these years of babies and housework, it can be a struggle to FULLY ENGAGE with our faith. What is more, as Catholic Mothers we not only crave a closeness with our God, but we are charged with raising faith-filled children and creating a holy home. We take this work of living and teaching the faith very seriously, but we often forget one very important ingredient: Creativity. I believe that creativity is one of the most powerful ways we can engage with and teach our Catholic Faith. I believe that crafting can be a prayer. I believe that children learn best when given the opportunity to create–and that we should use their creativity to help them fall in love with God and his church. And finally, I believe that anyone, young or old, can create meaningful, beautiful things. Even you. On this site you will find countless ways to live out your faith by engaging your creativity.

 This year we have Confirmation cards with the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost in English and Spanish and we have also added Divine Mercy image First Holy Communion cards!

I’m actually in the process of working with Carrie to create Holy Cards for our children’s past sacraments as well! They will be so excited to have sets of cards to share with their siblings to easily recall the anniversaries of their Baptisms, First Holy Communions, etc, along with the days some of their siblings were born into heaven.

In addition to the Etsy Shop, you can also visit follow Keepsakes by Carrie on Facebook and Instagram for updates

SAVE 15% on orders of $20+ with coupon code: SHOWEROFROSES2017
(Coupon expires on Our Lady’s birthday, September 8, 2017.)

+ + +

The products are great for building up your faith and evangelizing to your family through the tshirts and sacramentals that are included in each month’s box. Each month we send a brand new, exclusive Soft Style Premium Catholic Tshirt, Sacramentals of different sorts (rosaries, scapulars, and more), Holy Cards, and Holy Medals to our subscribers. The shirts are a surprise and will be revealed when you open your box each month. Each month is a new design that we create, so you are sure to receive the latest and best Catholic gear every month!

Our older boys received their first box {an early Confirmation gift!} last month. 

Sign up for the Catholic T-Shirt Club today! You can also follow Catholic T-Shirt Club on Facebook and Instagram. 

 Right now you can save 20% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH with coupon code: MAMAMARY (Expires 5/14/17)

Also, be sure to check out the brand new Catholic T-shirt Club for kids, aka the Catholic Kids Club!

+ + +

SaongJai

 Never been such devoted sisters… Ever since we were little we liked to do creative things together and we’ve always loved to bead and make jewelry. I also wanted to help my sister who has Chronic Lyme Disease. So, making and selling rosaries, Catholic jewelry, & things, will hopefully be a way to help with the cost of her treatments that are not covered by insurance. We take custom orders for rosaries, jewelry, crucifixes, and other Catholic things. Read more here…

You can find all sorts of great products in Aleesa’s shop including Cute & Catholic Preschool Printables and Holy Card Printables. I have always especially loved her hand painted candles!

In addition to Aleesa’s Etsy Shop, you can also visit her over at Life, Love, & Sacred Art and follow on Facebook and Instagram for updates and new designs!

Aleesa actually met me at my doctor’s appointment today and surprised me with this beautiful and thoughtful gift for our new little one. I haven’t done much to prepare yet, but we now have diapers and a gorgeous new baptismal candle! She even included a little pillow, scapular, three of her saint holy cards – all of which just so happen to be on our list as possible middle names! – and a St. Gerard medal/necklace for me! As soon as we decide on a name she will add it to the candle. ❤
+ + +

A special THANK YOU 
to all my continuing sponsors! 

Prayer Pillowcases
… more than just a pretty place to lay your head! They’re a unique way to bring Catholic art and prayer into your home. And a practical way to share the Faith with your family and friends. Our distinctive line combines original art and favorite Catholic prayers that appeal to all ages and transform pillows from the ordinary to the divine! Honor a special occasion or make any occasion special with the gift of a joyful, lasting (and personalizable) Prayer Pillowcase. We’re always working on new designs and hope you’ll visit again soon to see even more ways to help your loved ones begin and each day with a prayerful heart.

Be sure to check out the First Holy Communion and Confirmation designs. They can all be personalized! 

SAVE 10% off Prayer Pillowcases with coupon code: Roses10 Shipping is always FREE!

+  +  + 

Catholic Child

“Our goal is to help you find the finest resources to help you nurture the faith of your Catholic child and strengthen him or her for the challenges of the journey ahead. Each one of the hundreds of items you find here has been chosen by us with care, reviewed for faith and quality, and has been child and parent approved. When you buy from Catholic Child Catalog you are supporting an independently owned, personally run business that remains committed to searching out products to guide, inspire and delight the young Catholics in your life.”

SAVE 15% off storewide at at Catholic Child for the entire month with coupon code: MaryMay15

+  +  + 

American Life League’s Culture of Life Studies Program (CLSP) 

 The Culture of Life Studies Program has several new one-class lessons on saints, including St. Damien of Molokai whose feast day is May 10. We also have a wonderful lesson on our Blessed Mother, who is honored and revered throughout the month of May. Check out our latest offerings today!


As always, Shower of Roses patrons can get 20% off their entire purchase by entering the code: ROSES20

+ + + 


 An international community of young priests known as The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, or “The Fraternity” as they have lovingly been referred to, includes some of today’s most skilled and committed singers of Gregorian chant. The community has been preparing to present ancient melodies anew, on the album Requiem, to be released on May 12, 2017 through their new international collaboration with De Montfort Music/Sony Classical…

+  +  +

Gail’s Designs

Gail’s Designs has been creating unique, elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries since 2009. Gail has been an artist for most of her life and is grateful for her faith and being able to make elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries for people of the Catholic faith.

In addition to the website, you can also follow Gail’s Designs on Facebook and Instagram for updates and new designs!

My favorite Miraculous Medal Earrings from Gail’s Designs

+  +  + 

Behold Publications, LLC

“Behold Publications, LLC is more than just a publisher! Family owned and operated since its founding in 1999, we have developed great Catholic clubs like the Little Flowers Girls’ Club and Blue Knights Catholic Boys’ Clubs for Catholic girls and boys ages 5 and up.”

+  +  + 

Regina Martyrum Productions
“Regina Martyrum Productions produces the finest works of Catholic audio theatre. With emphasis on the lives of the Saints, these products are edifying, and entertaining.” 

Be sure to subscribe for emails or follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,  Google+, and Instagram for sales and updates.

+ + +

Peanut Butter & Grace
The mission of Peanut Butter & Grace is to help Catholic parents raise children who know and love Christ and his Church. We do this by providing digital and print resources that assist parents in forming their children in the faith within the daily life of their family. All of our products are made for Catholic parents—either to use themselves, or to hand to their kids.

Brand New Release: In the Realm of Mist and Mercy with Lesson Plans

Not only do they offer free shipping on orders of $10 or more, 
a 45-day return policy, and secure payment via Amazon, 
credit card, Paypal, or check…

Right now you can save 25% off your Peanut Butter & Grace order of $20 or more with coupon code: ROSES

+  +  +

Kolbe Academy 
“Kolbe Academy was founded in 1980 by three families who experienced first-hand the rapid decline of the public school system and who were looking for a wholesome, academically challenging educational environment. The founders anticipated the need to form young Catholic citizens who could effectively defend their Faith through a thorough understanding of doctrine and regular reception of the Sacraments. They also foresaw the growing need for better, more individualized and intensive instruction in basic education. Kolbe Academy Home School became an outgrowth of the day school in 1993 when parents who lived too far away to commute asked for our help with home schooling their children. Recently Kolbe Academy merged with Trinity Grammar and Prep to become Kolbe Academy/Trinity Prep, which educates students from Pre K through high school. With a focus on providing an education that is Ignatian in Method, Classical in Content and Loyal to the Magisterium in a small-class size environment or at home, Kolbe Academy continues to thrive.”

In addition to visiting Kolbe Academy’s website, you can also check out their online courses and follow them over at Facebook or Twitter for updates and specials! 
+ + + 

“Give Him 5 Ministries is about falling in love with Jesus! Just as Jesus Christ is the center of our Catholic faith, He is also meant to be the center of our daily lives. Give Him 5 provides people with the encouragement and tools they need to ignite their prayer life and to fall deeply in love with the Lord. Give Him 5 Prayer bags make wonderful gifts.”

In addition to visiting the website, you can also follow Give Him 5 over on Facebook and Instagram!

Give Him 5 Mug or Gift Set

+  +  + 

Specializing in high quality veils and mantillas for ladies and girls. Robin is a Catholic mother of 15 ( 7 with Our Lord ) who spends her days serving, loving, praying, and sewing. Robin started making veils for her daughters and wanted to share with others. She truly loves creating veils to serve Our Lord!

Right now you can SAVE 15% off your order with coupon code: IVEIL2017

+ + +

Offering Catholic books, 
gifts, homeschool curriculum 
at discount prices!
+  +  + 

Almond Rod Toys

 Almond Rod Toys makes Saint Blocks that are just the right size for little hands and can be used for imaginative play, building, stacking or collecting. The front has a print of original watercolor artwork. The back has a quote or a prayer chosen to inspire little ones and the one that cleans up behind them. The saint’s name, feast day and patronage are also listed; just enough to be a reminder and an inspiration for further learning.
Visit Almond Roy Toys at Etsy and follow the Facebook page!

+ + +

“Et Corde means “open heart”. I create rosaries, bracelets and necklaces using the hand wire wrap technique with beautiful antique reproduction medals. I hope that my pieces can be an heirloom that can be passed down in your family.” 

SAVE 10% off with coupon code: ROSES10

+ + +

Catholic Cuisine Aprons
All of our aprons are embroidered, not screen printed, giving them a rich, elegant, look! Our durable 100% cotton-twill aprons, with soil-release finish for added stain protection, provide ultimate full length cover and comfort.

Visit the Catholic Cuisine Apron page to order! 

+ + +

If you are interested in advertising at Shower of Roses

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all of my sponsors and visitors for your support! May God bless you all! 

Catholic T-Shirt Club {An Early Confirmation Gift}

by | May 1, 2017 | , , , | 9 Comments

Our older boys love Catholic T-Shirts and they each have a few personal favorites that they received over the last couple years in their Easter Baskets. They are currently preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation this year and one of their gifts is a subscription to the Catholic T-Shirt Club!  They recently received their first box and this month’s T-Shirt focused on St. John Paul II and Divine Mercy. Jesus, I Trust in You.

Rather than having duplicate T-Shirts (there is an option for double of everything, but they prefer having their own styles/shirts) they are getting the “Bishop Box” which comes with an exclusive Catholic T-Shirt each month, as well as sacramentals and holy cards that tie into the monthly theme. This month Ranger kept the T-shirt and Captain kept the rosary and they spilt up the rest.

This miracle of mercy has radically changed humanity’s destiny.
– St. John Paul II 

I just finished putting together a gift for one of our Godsons’ First Holy Communions next weekend… (you can see more First Holy Communion Gift Ideas here)
…but I’m still looking for a couple more Confirmation gifts for our boys.

I’d love to hear about any of your favorite Confirmation gifts to give and/or receive! 

Brunch on Divine Mercy Sunday

by | Apr 23, 2017 | , | 1 Comment

Divine Mercy Sunday Cinnamon Rolls
Divine Mercy Sunday Brunch - Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls with maple frosting, whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries, scrambled eggs, roasted golden potatoes and onions, applewood smoked bacon, coffee and hot cocoa, and some AIP sweet potato hash, fruit & roasted dandelion root tea for me!

This year, instead of using store bought cinnamon rolls, I used the leftover half of Pioneer Woman's "Cinnamon Roll Dough" to make our Divine Mercy Sunday Cinnamon Rolls!

Cinnamon Rolls

"Mom! Are you making a cinnamon roll scroll?!?!" - Bud (5)

It sure looked like it from his viewpoint over at the counter. 

It worked out wonderfully! After rolling out the dough (30"x10") and covering it in softened butter (I think it's a little easier to work with softened instead of melted as she suggests) along with sugar and cinnamon, I rolled both sides until they met in the middle, sliced and then pinched the bottom to create the point of the heart. 

Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls

Meanwhile the girls washed the berries and made scrambled eggs and bacon.  They all liked the Orange Marmalade Rolls we made for the recent Narnia birthday party, but apparently nothing compares to the original Maple Frosting covered version! 

Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls

by | Apr 22, 2017 | , | 4 Comments

I love shaping cinnamon rolls into all sorts of shapes for our children including Shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day and Turkeys for Thanksgiving! Last year I ended up shaping our cinnamon rolls into hearts and serving them with whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries for Divine Mercy Sunday.

I happen to have some leftover “Cinnamon Roll Dough” from the Orange Marmalade Rolls I made for our daughter’s Narnia themed birthday a couple days ago so I’m planning to use it to make Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls again this year!  You can find the directions over at Catholic Cuisine.

O Blood and Water, 
which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus 
as a fount of mercy for us, 
I trust in You.

Chronicles of Narnia Birthday Party

by | Apr 22, 2017 | , , | 16 Comments

"This is the land of Narnia," said the Faun, "where we are now; all that lies between the lamp-post and the great castle of Cair Paravel on the eastern sea…”

This year we celebrated Chiquita's birthday with a Narnia theme! 

.: Decorations :.

 
 
 
The lamp-post, the one decoration I had ordered specifically for her birthday arrived damaged the day before her birthday, but I was able to remove the broken glass from one side and use it anyway... 
 
 
 
When Adam’s flesh and Adam’s bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done.
 
 
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

One of the older boys clipped some branches from one of our cedar trees, our oldest daughter gathered some of our Narnia-ish wooden figures (Princesses, Prince, Dwarves and Deer - some of Rose's gifts from her Snow White & Rose Red Birthday Party last year) and a blue play silk (representing the sea) to decorate with as well, and I printed out some quotes and images from the books while the Castle cake was baking.  We also pulled out the Medieval Birthday Banner to hang on the wall. 
 
When I was making plans for this year's Easter Baskets, I decided to get Rose and Bud a few more wooden figures that could double as party decorations! The Lion (Aslan) and Fox showed up in Bud's Easter basket and the King (Peter) arrived in Rose's basket.  The beavers, badger, mouse, and hedgehog were new birthday surprises to finish the decorations! 
 
 
.: Mrs. Beaver's Marmalade Rolls :.
 
 
Mrs. Beaver brought unexpectedly out of the oven a great and gloriously sticky marmalade roll, steaming hot, and at the same time moved the kettle onto the fire, so that when they had finished the marmalade roll the tea was made and ready to be poured out.

 

I stayed up late baking "a great and gloriously sticky marmalade roll" as a special treat for the birthday girl! I used this Orange-Marmalade Rolls recipe with St. Dalfour Orange Marmalade.

 

From Instagram: Instead of frying up some "new-caught fish" we opted for bacon and fruit to go along with the potatoes and marmalade rolls. I also served a "jug of creamy milk for the children (Mr. Beaver stuck to beer)..." #akahotchocolate #chroniclesofnarnia #lionthewitchandthewardrobe #adaywiththebeavers #orangemarmaladerolls #birthdaybrunch
Now to figure out how I'm going to talk my kids into "sardines on toast" for teatime! 😉

 

.: Turned into Stone :.

 

 

 

 

The sun came out Thursday afternoon and they all dressed up and headed outside to play... I loved seeing all their reenactments of the White Witch turning them into stone! Who wants to play a game of freeze tag?! 

 

 

The birthday girl also pulled out the Bow & Arrows she received last year for her birthday. 

 

 

 

 

.: Tea with Mr. Tumnus :.

 

 
And it really was a wonderful tea. There was a nice brown egg, lightly boiled for each of them, and then sardines on toast, and then buttered toast, and then toast with honey, and then a sugar-topped cake.
 
 
Next it was time for tea. Our tea was inspired by Lucy's "wonderful tea" with Mr. Tumnus. 
 
 
Our children had never tried sardines before. I picked some up at Natural Grocers but was pretty sure I wasn't going to be able to talk the little ones into trying them so I ended up making some "sardines" out of white and grayish candy melts as well. 
 
 
The older boys LOVED the sardines and the rest loved the candy options.  Our oldest actually requested that we have sardines for his birthday too! lol
 
 
 
In addition to the sardines, I made a pot of tea, hard boiled eggs in our Instant Pot (can't believe how much easier they are to peel when steamed versus boiling them like I always have in the past), and served plenty of toast, butter, and honey in this cute little pot. Instead of a "sugar-topped cake" there was Vanilla Meringues, Coconut Macaroons, and Strawberries. 
 

 

 

 

.: Birthday Gifts :.

 

Her one birthday wish was "new books!" She received her own set of The Chronicles of Narnia, and the Tales of the Texas Panhandle Series: The Wind Blows Free, The Wide Horizon, and The Good Land. She also received an eeboo Birthday Book!

 

Her next gift was a new outfit...  Beaver themed! #GoBeavs!

 

 
... Along with a new purse and wallet... complete with a couple $5 gift cards! 
 
 
And finally, a new basket filled with a sketchbook, journal, watercolor crayons and water brushes. 
 

 

.: Cair Paravel Castle Cake :.

 

The castle of Cair Paravel on its little hill towered up above them; before them were the sands, with rocks and little pools of salt water, and seaweed, and the smell of the sea and long miles of bluish-green waves breaking for ever and ever on the beach.
 

 

 

 

 

Happy 12th Birthday! 

 

Holy Saturday in Pictures

by | Apr 19, 2017 | , , | 8 Comments

So grateful to have help in the kitchen!
Making their annual Chocolate Nests for Easter
The beginnings of another AIP Raspberry Cake!
Our oldest son helped make the Scalloped Potatoes this year!
Taking a break from baking to fill Easter eggs for tomorrow’s hunt! 🐤🐣🐥 
Who will find the golden egg this year? ✨ #EasterEggHunt #GoldenEgg
Baking Paska {Recipe: Basic Paska for Easter}
All ready for the oven!

While the Paska was baking we molded another little Easter Lamb out of butter!

Every year (at least for the last four years) I have said “Next year we will definitely make a new Paschal Candle!”
… and every year I end up scraping off the last digit of the year and reshaping it into the next number.
Good thing this has been such a slow burning candle! #paschalcandle #2012to2017 #nextyearforsure
{Details and directions can be found here: Creating Our Paschal Candle}

My parents celebrated their 40th Anniversary on Easter Sunday this year so I offered to host the party at our home, despite all of my pregnancy challenges. Between our trip to the coast and Redwoods last Sunday-Monday, working most of Tuesday-Wednesday combined with keeping up with our school week, and out-of-state friends visiting Thursday-Friday I hadn’t had any time to prepare ahead of time this year. I finally made it to Costco and the grocery store late Friday evening and was so grateful to have help in the kitchen on Holy Saturday! Some of our children started coming down sick on Easter Sunday, but we still had such a nice day and I’ll be back with more pictures soon. Happy Easter!

Requiem – The Fraternity {Sponsored Giveaway}

by | Apr 15, 2017 | , , , , , | 0 Comments

The FSSP has added a new CD to their superb collection of CDs!  Requiem is the latest addition (available for pre-order now here) and it’s quality surpasses their previous works. Even though all three of my husband’s brothers are Fraternity priests (you can see pictures from their ordinations here, here, and here!) our family doesn’t have an FSSP parish in our state and CDs like this are such a beautiful and welcome addition to our home. (We are grateful to have access to the extraordinary form of the Mass once every other month and a Sacred Liturgy Conference coming up this summer!) I’m especially looking forward to hearing them chant the Antiphon: In Paradisum, one of my favorites. Here is a great video along with the press release for this new CD. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of three copies of Requiem!

An international community of young priests known as The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, or “The Fraternity” as they have lovingly been referred to, includes some of today’s most skilled and committed singers of Gregorian chant. The community has been preparing to present ancient melodies anew, on the album Requiem, to be released on May 12, 2017 through their new international collaboration with De Montfort Music/Sony Classical.

 Many have heard The Fraternity sing Requiem chants at funeral Masses over the years, often suggesting that the group, who is so close to this treasured music, record this moving collection. The decision to make their major-label debut with the music of Requiem was unanimous among the priestly singers, as they know well that nothing is so universal as the experience of death, the care of souls and as well the many emotions evoked by the living. The text of the Mass – beginning with “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine” (Grant them eternal rest, O Lord) – is spiritually uplifting, meant to convey souls to a particular vision of the beyond; the effect of the music is far-reaching and timeless, bound to touch the deepest emotions of any human heart.

 Requiem, the debut major-label release by The Fraternity, was recorded by two of the top talents working in classical music today: multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder and engineer Brad Michel, also a Grammy winner. The executive producers of Requiem are Kevin and Monica Fitzgibbons of De Montfort Music, which has helped cultivate a new audience for ancient choral music by developing several chart-topping albums of Sacred Music. The industry veterans had this to say about the Requiem recording, “It has been an honor to work with The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, as they are excellent ambassadors for this repertoire- they are intimately familiar with this music- thus its deeper meaning is inescapable throughout the album-and the care and excellence that they brought to recording this Requiem is an inspiration.”

 Fr. Gerard Saguto, the North American Superior of The Fraternity who also sang on Requiem, explains that the daily responsibilities of the priests entail shepherding its flock’s greatest joys and its deepest sorrows, from a marriage in the morning to a funeral in the afternoon. St. Augustine’s sense of the sacred was a beauty “ever ancient, ever new.” This beautiful work that’s ancient yet made anew whenever he and his confreres sing it – serves as a message of hope. And for Fr. Saguto, this new recording of the Requiem – was “a way to share some of what we do on a wider scale, to put something beautiful and sacred out into the world.”

 This recording transfigures the sound of mourning and remembrance into something mystical and beautiful, inspiring a feeling of hope in the cycle of life and an embrace of the eternal through the gift of meditative song. Requiem is a uniquely curated presentation, comprising 20 tracks of sublime melody, mostly monophonic Gregorian chant but concluding with the lush sound of polyphonic motets by the great 16th-century Italian composer Palestrina and a less well-remembered 18th-century composer, Giovanni Battista Martini, one of Mozart’s teachers.

 Fr. Zachary Akers, music director of The Fraternity and a singer on Requiem, explains the relationship of the words to the melodies by noting, “I’ve heard it said that the music is meant to ‘clothe’ the texts.” Although most people may only know the Requiem via the celebrated version by Mozart, the composer was himself inspired by the somber beauty and unadorned profundity of Gregorian chant, taking it as an emotional-aesthetic standard. Fr. Akers explains: “In this album we are hearing this type of music that was around long before Mozart, approaching the beginning of sacred music.”

 Fr. Garrick Huang, co-music director of The Fraternity and a singer on Requiem, reflected on the roots of Gregorian chant, saying: “The style of chant that we sing go all the way back to ancient Rome, but it even has its sources, as certain people believe, in Jerusalem, with certain melodies Middle Eastern in origin. Rome has been cosmopolitan for centuries, of course, so it has always been a crossroads of many cultures. So there are even some sounds that we could say come from the East (Byzantine), or even different parts of the eastern empire.” Fr. Huang points out that for monks down through the centuries, it was never enough to simply recite the sacred texts: “We sing them, because it has always been part of human nature to express love and joy, despair and sadness – the gamut of emotions – in song. That said, the Requiem chant is not a performance for us. We say that we ‘sing’ the Requiem, but it’s more that we’re praying the Requiem.”

 Christopher Alder, who has worked with some of the greatest classical singers of the past 30 years, echoes this idea that the words and melodies of the Requiem chant are deep inside the members of The Fraternity. “This community has obviously put a lot of emphasis on concentrated musical training in their education of young men to become priests,” he says. “They know this material intimately, as it rolls out of them as if it were poetry that one has recited countless times. They know it by heart, in every sense of the term because the text is being simultaneously believed and sung at the highest level.”

About The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

The Fraternity began in 1988, from its roots in Rome, the community has spread far and wide, now including some 280 priests in missions worldwide. They are a youthful community, with 35 being the average age of its priests. They are located in missions and parishes around the world including Germany, Great Britain, Nigeria, France, Colombia, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the USA, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Mexico, Poland, New Zealand and Belgium. In 2017, The Fraternity will ordain 17 priests: 7 in the US, 7 in Germany, 2 in England and 1 in Nigeria. The Roman Catholic community of priests is an ambassador to the world of the treasured traditional Mass in Latin, as well as specializing in Gregorian chant. For more information visit: www.FSSP.com.

.: Giveaway :.

De Montfort Music has generously offered to send three of my visitors here at Shower of Roses a copy of this brand new CD! This giveaway will remain open through Divine Mercy Sunday, April 23, 2017. The winner will be announced in this post and contacted by email on Monday, April 24, 2017.

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pre-order a copy of REQUIEM over at Amazon. 

A Spiritual Bouquet and Baby Gift for Lena

A Spiritual Bouquet and Baby Gift for Lena

by | May 5, 2017 | , | 15 Comments

A large Bouquet of RosesFlowers that will never fadeA Novena of RosariesWith love in each Decade!Lena over at JOY{filled} family (also on Instagram here and one of my past contributors over at Catholic Cuisine) is preparing to welcome her newest little...

Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials

Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials

by | May 2, 2017 | | 4 Comments

I am so excited that it is finally May! I'm really looking forward to celebrating sacraments, finishing up our school year, and preparing to welcome our new baby next month!It's time for another quarterly update on all my amazing sponsors here at Shower of Roses. I...

Brunch on Divine Mercy Sunday

Brunch on Divine Mercy Sunday

by | Apr 23, 2017 | , | 1 Comment

Divine Mercy Sunday Brunch - Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls with maple frosting, whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries, scrambled eggs, roasted golden potatoes and onions, applewood smoked bacon, coffee and hot cocoa, and some AIP sweet potato hash, fruit &...

Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls

Divine Mercy Cinnamon Rolls

by | Apr 22, 2017 | , | 4 Comments

I love shaping cinnamon rolls into all sorts of shapes for our children including Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day and Turkeys for Thanksgiving! Last year I ended up shaping our cinnamon rolls into hearts and serving them with whipped cream, strawberries and...

Chronicles of Narnia Birthday Party

Chronicles of Narnia Birthday Party

by | Apr 22, 2017 | , , | 16 Comments

"This is the land of Narnia," said the Faun, "where we are now; all that lies between the lamp-post and the great castle of Cair Paravel on the eastern sea…” This year we celebrated Chiquita's birthday with a Narnia theme!  .: Decorations :.       The lamp-post, the...

Holy Saturday in Pictures

Holy Saturday in Pictures

by | Apr 19, 2017 | , , | 8 Comments

So grateful to have help in the kitchen!Making their annual Chocolate Nests for Easter The beginnings of another AIP Raspberry Cake!Our oldest son helped make the Scalloped Potatoes this year!Taking a break from baking to fill Easter eggs for tomorrow's hunt!...

Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-24, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-21, Snuggles-18, Rose-16, Bud-14, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

Please Visit My Sponsors…

This Week's Popular Posts

Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

All About Spelling
All About Reading
All About Reading Giveaways
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Advent & Christmas Books

Shower of Roses Gift Guides

Looking for Something?

looking-back

  • ▼2026 (3)
  • ►2025 (31)
  • ►2024 (41)
  • ►2023 (30)
  • ►2022 (48)
  • ►2021 (48)
  • ►2020 (57)
  • ►2019 (61)
  • ►2018 (90)
  • ►2017 (128)
  • ►2016 (148)
  • ►2015 (172)
  • ►2014 (227)
  • ►2013 (238)
  • ►2012 (308)
  • ►2011 (297)
  • ►2010 (313)
  • ►2009 (486)
  • ►2008 (564)
  • ►2007 (148)

Posts About:

Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



All Saints Party Printables

All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2025 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!