Recordings » Pax Amor Christi (2000)
Title: Pax Amor Christi: A Trinity of Songs
Artist: Kathleen Deignan, Anima Schola
Year: 2000
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Musician(s): Claudia Chapman, Gina Sader-Rubenstein, Gregory Hauck, Greta D. Sibley, Kathleen Deignan, Marion Najamy, Mary Anne McFadden, Paul Avgerinos
This sampler of songs by Deignan and Anima Schola is available in both CD and cassette formats.
Pax – Amor Christi is a blessing song inspired by an old Celtic prayer preserved in Alexander Carmichael’s collection “The Carmina Gadelica.” The ancient words are born again in this beautiful new incantation by Sister Kathleen Deignan, C.N.D. whose elaboration on the original prayer echoes the universal desire for peace. Performed with the liturgical ensemble Anima Schola, this song is from their recording “Stations: Songs for the Paschal Journey.”
Beloved City evokes the lyrical Celtic spirit that characterizes Deignan’s compositions. Drawn from the collection “Borne By Grace: Songs of Praise and Contemplation,” this song celebrates the community of creation in rich metaphors and full voices.
The Spirit and the Bride is a cosmic wedding anthem celebrating the wedding of earth and heaven. This mystical incantation sounds the keynote for the album “Bride Spirit: Songs of the Beloved.”
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Track |
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| 01. |
Pax Amor Christi |
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| 02. |
Beloved City |
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| 03. |
The Spirit and the Bride |
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Adapted from a prayer from the Carmina Gadelica, Deignan
Peace between neighbors, peace between kindred,
Peace between lovers: the peace of Christ.
Peace between persons, peace between spouses,
Peace between families: the peace of the love of Christ.
Pax amor Christi, pax amor Christi,
Pax amor Christi, pax amor Christi.
Peace between brothers, peace between sisters,
Peace between friends: the peace of Christ.
Peace between nations, peace between creatures,
Peace between foes: the peace of the love of Christ.
Peace in the north lands, peace in the south lands,
Peace in our world: the peace of Christ.
Peace in the east lands, peace in the south lands,
Peace upon earth: the peace of the love of Christ.
Peace be before us, peace be behind us,
Peace be between us: the peace of Christ
Peace be within us, peace be about us,
Peace all around us: the peace of the love of Christ.
Based on Sirach 24: 11ff
(guitar & vocals: Deignan, with Hauck, McFadden, Sibley; percussion: Najamy, Sader-Rubenstein; keyboards: Avgerinos)
In the beloved city, we shall come to dwell,
encircled by the people of paradise,
and rooted in the garden of life.
We shall grow tall like the cedar in the
countryside, like the cyprus standing
high upon the hill. And we shall be like
the palm tree that is set by the sea,
like fuscia in the fields growing wild.
We shall grow tall like the maple,
standing strong as oak,
like the fruit tree all abloom in the grove.
And like a garden of spices we shall spread perfume,
give fragrance to the winds all around.
We shall give fruit like the vineyards
with their vines in bloom,
give our lifeblood for the sweet tasting wine.
And we shall drink it together, tasting the power and joy,
our pleasure in the garden of life.
Text and tune: Kathleen Deignan, CND 1996
For Bride, my Mother
Fantasy on the wedding invitation from the epilogue of the Book of Revelation
The Spirit and the Bride say “Come.”
Let all who hear their voices say “Come.”
Come to the wedding of Earth and Heaven –
Come to the Feast of Life.
Earth marries air, air marries fire, and fire marries the sea,
In the great consummation of all creation with the body of divinity.
Sun weds the moon, moon weds the stars, the stars wed the dark fields of empty space.
And all forms of being are bathed in the love light, the rapturous glow of the Hidden Face.
We are the fruit of God’s seed, sown in the womb of all becoming.
Our original face is the beauty and grace of the divine Beloved.
The great house is teeming with guests; there’s room for all at the feast.
Enrobed in our garments of jubilation, our wonder has no cease.
All beings partake of the feast; all taste of the bread of this communion;
So join in the dance, move in the trance of this ecstatic union.
Welcome – well, come! Welcome – well, come!
