Alleluia. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity collaborate with Houston’s Radio Walsingham internet radio station to stream Easter Vigil and Easter Day music for your prayerful listening. Radio Walsingham internet radio station broadcasts Catholic teaching and glorious music according to the liturgical calendar. The music comes from the Rites and Churches of the Catholic Church together with the Catholic best from the Anglican tradition, the Holy Orthodox Church, and others. Radio Walsingham has been broadcasting via the internet since October 2006!
Easter Vigil
At the Great Vigil of Easter a Deacon of the Church chants the great Paschal hymn “Exsultet”. This hymn is sung illumined by the light of the new Paschal Candle. I have always wished that each member of the congregation could have the text in hand in order to read, study, and pray it during and after the Vigil in Easter Week. Many find the setting to be the summit of beauty in all Gregorian chant compositions.
The recording is in Latin and was recorded live at the Vatican in the presence of His Holiness Pope Francis I at the Great Vigil of 2013. The cantor is a Deacon of the Roman Catholic Church.
Click here to listen to more Radio Walsingham Easter Vigil selections.
Easter Day
The Gradual for Easter Day begins with those beautiful words of worship: “This is the which day the Lord has made.” As one might expect the choral works for this text are almost universally filled to overflowing with joy.
The recording is a setting by the English Catholic composer William Byrd sung by the Cambridge Singers who are conducted by John Rutter. The interpretation of the choir makes the opening sound almost as if they are laughing with joy while singing the text from the Psalms. (Image of Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston, TX: Franciscan Sister Carmen Marie Diaz)
Click here to listen to more Radio Walsingham Easter selections.