Friday, September 26 | 7:30pm 
Holy Trinity Church

Picture yourself at Mass: You're dialoguing with the priest about lifting our hearts and giving thanks to the Lord. At the conclusion of the dialogue, the priest says, "And so with Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominions, and all the powers of heaven, we raise our voices with theirs as together we sing: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY..." Have you ever wondered: What does that mean? What exactly am I saying here? What even is a Throne or a Dominion? WHY am I saying this? Indeed, something important happens when we sing "Holy, Holy, Holy." Actually, something big - bigger than we can grasp. 

The Sanctus is an event of cosmic proportions, and this talk takes us on a journey to discover anew what this prayer means by delving into some history, liturgical theology, and sacred music. Drawing from Scripture and the work of Church Fathers Pseudo-Dionysius and Thomas Aquinas, I introduce you to each of the Nine Choir of Angels and the role they play in the Sanctus. Moreover, I pepper throughout the talk musical examples in which you're invited to participate by singing and listening. Sacred music allows us to contemplate and participate more deeply in the Mass, and the Sanctus provides a powerful example as to how that can happen. The Sanctus takes us on an adventure, literally by taking us into heaven, into the company of the Nine Choirs of Angels, and into the presence of the Holy Trinity. To that point, this talk invites you to consider a broader understanding of the term "active participation." 

I make the bold claim that our "Musical Journey with the Angels" will change the way you experience Mass. 

There is no charge to attend this event, but we ask that you register so we can plan appropriately.

About the Speaker
Dr. Vincent E. Rone is the Director of Music at Archangel Gabriel Parish and an Associate Professor of Fine Arts and Director of Sacred Music for the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Vincent’s scholarship focuses on how music can suggest the otherworldly, ranging from Catholic sacred music from mid-to-late twentieth century, to the music of The Lord of the Rings and The Legend of Zelda franchises. In addition to having co-edited and written for the two volumes Nostalgia and Videogame Music and Mythopoeic Narrative in The Legend of Zelda, Vincent’s work has appeared in the Journal of Musicological Research, Journal of Music and the Moving Image, The American Organist, Journal of Sound and Music in Games, and Tolkien Studies. Vincent's other musical interests include directing the prestigious Schola Cantorum and Women's Choir of Franciscan University, and his compositions have appeared in international concerts and on Raven Records. Vincent currently lives in Crafton, PA, with his loving wife, Susan, and their three beautiful children, Laurelin, Oscar, and Faustina.