Christmas Concert at St. Charles Seminary

By: Rick James
Seminarian, Second Theology

On December 6 the Seminarians of St. Charles Borromeo seminary preformed the annual “Concert Before Christmas” on the seminary campus in the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours. In the Seminary’s nearly 180 years of existence, the Christmas concert as it is today is a relatively recent tradition. This year marks the 22nd occurrence of the event.

Each year a unique theme is chosen to focus us on a particular aspect of the seasons of Advent and Christmas. The theme chosen for this year was “Show us Thy face!” These words echo the prayer of Moses in Exodus 33:18 “Do let me see your Glory” and St. Philip the Apostle, “Show us the Father” in John 14:8. Our plea to God for the sending of the fullness of His Revelation captures well the prayer of the Universal Church during the season of Advent, which expresses the coming of our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ. The music selected for the occasion highlighted well this season of preparation. The first piece of music sung by the seminary Schola Cantorum was Luigi Cherubini’s Veni, Jesu, amor mi. This beautifully simple prayer: ‘Come, Jesus my love’ set a wonderful tone for the rest of the concert which followed.

As the concert progressed, readings from Sacred Scripture and other spiritual writers were read in between the musical performances. These readings made the experience of the concert not only aesthetically pleasing, but a prayerful experience as well. The strong voices of the seminary choir, the brass instruments, violin, bass, and the magnificent chapel pipe organ all joined together in raising their voices in prayer and praise to our Lord and Savior. As always it was a powerful and sobering moment, one which really leaves those present with a sense that “we are ready for Christmas now!”

In keeping with the tradition of charity naturally associated with the Christmas season, the seminary always takes up a collection on behalf of a particular charity. This year the proceeds from the collection are being donated to the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of Philadelphia, which in a unique way embraces so well their apostolate to pray for seminarians and priests. As we so often benefit from their prayer and spiritual aid, this year’s charity was particularly meaningful way to give some help to the Carmelite Nuns of Philadelphia.

Having directed the seminary’s house choirs over the past three years, I can personally attest to the great musical talent that pervades the seminarians of St. Charles Seminary. So many talented and devoted singers, instrumentalists/organist have come together for these special events and worked hard to accomplish great things. It has been such an honor to work with these men over the years! It is so edifying to see how for all of our liturgies and events at St. Charles the choir members and instrumentals are willing to offer back their God given talents back to Him. We sing at least three times a day at the seminary (Morning Prayer, Mass, and Evening Prayer); which would not be possible without the work and dedication of these men.

This year the concert “Show us Thy Face” moved the seminary community together in a prayerful recollection of the meaning of Advent. This same desire to see the Lord when He comes expressed the prayer of the entire Church during this time of the year. At mass, we are struck by this daily in the readings and prayers and even by the color of the priest’s vestments during the season. The wearing of a royal purple calls to mind its traditional meanings of expectation, penance, and hopefulness, but also waves the regal banner before us. We are in expectation of that Great King, at whose very name His enemies flee in terror and the heavenly hosts sing forever in a majestic hymn! What an honor it has been to join in this singing.