{"id":6234,"date":"2010-12-18T15:09:27","date_gmt":"2010-12-18T21:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/?p=6234"},"modified":"2010-12-18T15:09:27","modified_gmt":"2010-12-18T21:09:27","slug":"an-advent-memory-at-solesmes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/praytellblog.com\/index.php\/2010\/12\/18\/an-advent-memory-at-solesmes\/","title":{"rendered":"An Advent Memory at Solesmes"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few years ago I was privileged to celebrate the First Sunday of Advent at the Benedictine Abbey of Solesmes. I arrived just in time for First Vespers on Saturday evening. It was a joy for me to be able to celebrate the beginning of the holy season entirely in Latin chant. As always, the hospitality of the monks was warm and gracious. Though they keep strict silence in the hallways, each monk of the community went out of his way during my days there to offer me a Pax<\/em> greeting and a quietly whispered \u201cMon p\u00e8re.\u201d<\/p>\n

Either between Vespers and supper, or between supper and Compline,\u00a0I forget which,\u00a0I was invited to community recreation. Monks gathered around the piano and song sheets were handed out. To my surprise, they sang Christmas carols! Lovely French melodies, mostly unknown to me. Rather like \u201cUne jeune pucelle\u201d or \u201cNo\u00eal nouvelet.\u201d Texts full of \u201cnativit\u00e9\u201d and \u201cnaissance.\u201d<\/p>\n

I think my facial expression betrayed my shock that they sing Christmas songs before Christmas season had come. It was explained to me that it was an ancient custom in France for families to sing Christmas carols in the home throughout Advent. Founding Abbot Prosper Gu\u00e9ranger insisted in 1833 that the monks are a family and thus should keep this custom.<\/p>\n

Not what I expected of these monks so well known for cultivating the liturgical spirit and celebrating the liturgy entirely in Latin chant. But quite lovely.<\/p>\n

awr<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A few years ago I was privileged to celebrate the First Sunday of Advent at the Benedictine Abbey of Solesmes. I arrived just in time for First Vespers on Saturday evening. 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