Stefano Mainetti and the Vatican Alma Mater

The last week of November, just in time for Christmas shopping, an unusual collection of music will hit the record stores. The Vatican Alma Mater will be a collection of traditional, Gregorian chants, North African rhythms, modern music and orchestral and choral accompaniment. Accompanying who? Pope Benedict XVI!

The composers will include Brit Simon Boswell, Moroccan world-music composer Nour Eddine and Italian composer Stefano Mainetti. I am excited about all three choices. Today I want to focus on Mainetti.


Silent Trigger - The Algonquin Goodbye

Mainetti is a conductor and composer. He is a classical guitarist. He has won numerous international awards. He studied in Italy and the U.S. His training, exposure to different cultures and professional experiences make him a perfect selection for this unique collection of music.


Stefano Mainetti - Elvio Monti

Stefano has written music for television. He has won awards for soundtrack for documentaries. However, he has also composed music for popular films as well. Many in the U.S. are familiar with the soundtrack for the popular movie Tale of the Mummy. He has composed music for 27 films and 64 documentaries.

Stefano, alone among the three conductors, is a Catholic. He, like his partners, is respectful of other musical traditions. He was also humbled to be chosen for this unusual project. He saw his goal as choosing the right music to match and highlight the wishes of the Holy Father. The Pope wanted a composition that ignored racial and national boundaries. Stefano accomplished this by choosing music that was multi ethnic.


Orgoglio - Il sapore della terra – OST

I can not wait to have my hands on this C.D. This is music for prayer, to meditate to, to have playing in the background while reading, to relax to. This is world music made to help the listener connect to his or her brothers and sisters around the world and throughout time.


Vatican Alma Mater

Bobbie Gottschalk and Seeds of Peace at USF

Well this has been a frustrating week and an inspiring week. This week our school played host to a very special guest, Barbara “Bobbie” Gottschalk. She is one of the founding members of Seeds for Peace. The inspiring part is simply her life and impact. The frustrating part was that I never got to meet her, our schedules simply did not allow for it. However, I talked to colleagues who had her speak in their classes, who went out to dinner with her or attended her public talks. I spoke with students who were inspired by her. I did show video about her and the project in two of my classes.

So, while it was a personal frustration for me I am so happy that she was our guest for a week.


"Bobbie Gottschalk & Seeds of Peace"

Bobbie’s story is not the least bit ordinary other than she is a regular person, not a head of state, a writer or rock star who is changing the world by her determination. She is changing the world the only way she knows how, person-to-person. As Bobbie says, “Treaties are made by nations, peace is made by people.”

In 1993 she was approached by her friend, a journalist named John Wallach about joining him in a radical project. He had seen to much violence and sorrow while covering the conflicts of the Middle East. He wanted to create a program that taught young people from the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict to resolve conflict peacefully. From this Seeds of Peace was born.

From the conversation grew a dream that has affected thousands of lives. Seeds of Peace has a summer camp in Maine that brings Palestinians and Israelis together. They learn to work and cooperate together. They learn to see one another as people, they learn to value one another. The success has also meant that programs that help them fit back into their societies had to be created.

Because the programs have been effective more people requested assistance. The result is that Seeds of Peace have participants from the U.S., Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Cyprus. The program involves educators, journalist, anyone who wants to actively work for peace can find a way to contribute to Seeds for Peace.

Seeds of Peace has become a role model of NGO conflict resolution. Its advisory board reflects its growing international reputation. The board includes, former American Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Shimon Peres of Israel and Palestinian Dr. Sa'eb Erekat .

Many people on campus felt a connection with Bobbie. The members of JustPeace were greatly inspired. Members of the Franciscan Family saw Ms Gottschalk doing the work peace-makers are called to do. Many of us in the behavioral sciences were proud to see she started out as a clinical social worker and school counselor. It was however difficult to listen to her and not feel called to personally do more in the cause of peace-making. So, to Dr. Matt Smith and all of those responsible for bringing this real life hero to the University of St. Francis, thank you.


The Path to Peace and Change

The Vatican Alma Mater and Simon Boswell

I am increasingly excited to eventually hear the Vatican Alma Mater CD. The blending of North African rhythms, Gregorian chants, orchestral backgrounds and the Pope praying sounds amazing. There is nothing average or ordinary about this C.D. I am particularly excited that the British composer Simon Boswell is a part of this endeavor. Simon adds many dimensions to this project. He is a Cambridge educated man. He is agnostic and he is creative, oh is he creative.


Santa Sangre (1989) – Triste

Boswell has been making albums since 1976. His musical career is eclectic to say the least. He toured with Blondie in the 70s. He began producing records in the 80s. It was not long before he was making connection in the international music industry. In the beginning of this career he wrote music for Italian movies. That however changed in the 1990s.


Simon Boswell - Hot Ice Soundtrack: A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

Simon got his big break when he wrote the music for Hardware. After that he became noticed and started writing music for big budget films. The most current and probably most familiar project was the music for the mini series Tin Man. The series was a reinterpretation of The Wizard of Oz. The music was haunting and almost served as an additional character in the story.


Central City - Tin Man Soundtrack

He has also worked on other projects. This includes working with the Vatican to set the words of Pope John Paul II to music.

So it should come as no surprise that Simon Boswell is involved in Vatican Alma Mater. He has the Italian roots, the experience in collaborating with other forms of music and working with folks from other countries. Finally, the Vatican knows the quality of his work. Yep, I can’t wait for the C.D. to be released at the end of November.


Benedict XVI Recorded an Album in Honour of the Virgin

Rome and the Year of Africa

Rome is focused this year on Africa. Africa is a continent of vast potential and resources, of varied cultures and peoples. However, sadly, it is also a continent of civil war, disease, poverty and human rights abuses. To be sure there are few areas of the world that do not suffer war, disease or brutal regimes. The nations of Europe and North America are involved in those wars. However, the focus on Africa is appropriate.

There are few places on the planet were Christianity is growing at such an impressive rate. There are few places on the planet where right next to Christian communities Muslim communities are growing at an equally impressive rate. These peoples, often fellow citizens have a choice to make. They can either learn to respect one another, value each others unique dignity or they can ignore the teachings of their faiths and attack one another. The stakes are high, for them and the world.


Catholic Church Singing

So this year Rome has focused on Africa, the mother of nations. In March the Pope visited Angola and Cameroon. Just this past September the bishops of Africa and Madagascar meet in Rome for their episcopal conference. Currently the bishops are attending the Synod of Africa in Rome.



The suffering of the continent is great. The United Nations estimates that over 400 million Africans are living on less than a dollar a day. An additional 800 million people suffer from chronic hunger.


Operation Rice Bowl in Ghana

The Church is assessing what it can do to alleviate suffering and what it has failed to do. This includes an honest assessment by Church leadership about its silence prior to the Kenya election and resultant turmoil. The Church is also loudly calling out for reform and democracy. However, many of the bishops are calling for more basic changes. This includes valuing the traditional family. This includes a call for the end of oppression of women in the forms of prostitution, pornography and rape.

Additional threats to the well-being of Africans include the HIV/AIDS epidemic, armed conflicts, rampant corruption and multinational corporations exploiting natural resources. In the weeks ahead I will discuss the struggles Africans and the Church face if they are to find ways to grow, prosper and live in peace with their neighbors. However, I will also be talking about the celebration of faith that is the Catholic Church in Africa.


Kenyan Catholic Music

World Music, Sacred Music and the Pope

I find myself drawn to world-music. It is a term that is way too broad to be useful. In my case I simply mean music that is a fusion. I have preferences, I like music fused with African and Caribbean rhythms, I like folksy music and I especially like to be surprised. Well, a new addition is being added to the collection of world music at the end of November 2009.

Geffen Universal is releasing a new and interesting CD album. It is a collection of eight new songs. The collection is titled Music from the Vatican- Alma Mater. The most unlikely performer is Pope Benedict XVI. He will be heard singing and praying.

What makes this a type of world music or fusion? Everything. One composer, Simon Boswell (of Tin Man fame) is a British agnostic. Another, Stefano Mainetti, is an Italian Catholic. The third, known for North African folk music and world music is Nour Eddine. Mr. Eddine is a Moroccan Muslim. The composers wrote eight new songs that combine modern sacred music, prayers and Gregorian chanting. The music blends the sounds and rhythms of North Africa with the musical traditions of the West.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI can be heard singing and chanting in Italian, French, English, German, Portuguese and Latin. His Holiness is accompanied by the Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome which was conducted by Monsignor Pablo Colino. The Monsignor is the Maestro Emeritus of St. Peter's Basilica. Additionally, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs on each track and they were recorded at Abbey Road studios in London. Face it, this qualifies for world music!

So, in the coming weeks I will be writing about this cultural and spiritual event. I will talk about the composers, the process and the history of modern sacred music. However, I will be writing as a novice to the subject, someone who just knows what he likes. I will not be writing as a serious student of the sacred music. This is music to pray by, to chant by, and to listen to in rooms lit with candles. It is music that restores smiles after long days and it is music that reminds us to hope. However, most importantly, it is music that reminds us that we are all connected to one another.

The Vatican Alma Mater

Holy Family Fraternity in LaGrange Indiana

On September 26th our Secular Franciscan fraternity, the Holy Family Fraternity did something a little different. Instead of having our regular meeting at the Campus Ministry building at the University of Saint Francis we had a road trip, well, sort of. We met at St. Joseph Parish Church in LaGrange Indiana.

LaGrange is a great little town. It has a beautiful Courthouse Square, a pretty main street business section and it has murals. However, we were there for worship and fellowship.


So, in this town in Amish country, in a town where the Protestant Churches are considerably larger, we had our Franciscan meeting. That of course was appropriate because the priest at the church is Father Mark Weaver or Friar Mark of the Conventual Franciscans.


Holy Family Fraternity Secular Franciscans Getting Ready to Break Bread

First we had Mass. It was nice to participate with the Parish members. The church was simple but nice. It had a warm, welcoming feel to it. It had great sprawling greens outside the window and yet it was in town. Friar Mark introduced us to his congregation.

The church will be celebrating its 75th anniversary and the bishop will help them kick off the event. Now LaGrange is a small town, just under 3000 people. That does not stop this town from having some big events. That includes the Vatican Exhibition of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World. This will include a display 126 Eucharistic miracles from around the world and throughout the ages. Not too shabby for a small town in a rural county!


St. Joseph Parish LaGrange Indiana

After Mass our fraternity went to the social room. We had a pot luck meal. Friar Mark blessed our meal and blessed us with his company. Afterward he served as our formation leader. He told us about St. Joseph of Cupertino. He is the patron saint of pilots and students. He is the patron saint of students simply because he was not the brightest candle in the room and yet became a priest by shear persistence.


St. Joseph of Cupertino

After fellowship and formation we planned for Transitus and the Feast of Saint Francis. It was a nice day in the country. I liked the church and the town but it was the warmth and humor of Friar Mark that I really enjoyed. We hope to have him in Fort Wayne as a guest of our fraternity in January.


Holy Family Fraternity Just Taking Our Leave

A Franciscan Weekend

Last weekend was a wonderful weekend. Saturday night marked Transitus. That is the time of the Year (Oct. 3rd) which we commemorate the passing of Francis from this life to the next. It could be a sad occasion but that would indicate we don’t get it!

I joined some of my Secular Franciscans at the chapel at the University of Saint Francis. This is a small, simple chapel. I was in for a surprise. It was lit with 36 candles. The music was up-lifting. “Brother Leo” was there to guide us through the service. Afterwards we all had refreshments with the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Blessing of the Animals at USF

The next day was the Feast of Saint Francis. First our Seculars met. Sister Anita lead them in their formation readings. I then talked about my experience at Emmaus Ministries and how that fit in with our call to come to the aid of lepers. It was well received.

Blessing of the Animals II

After that we all went to Mass. Father John was eloquent. Immediately after the service we went outside to the statue of St. Francis by Sufi. There Father John blessed the animals of the neighborhood. People brought dogs, cats and chickens. Yep, it was a great weekend.

Peace

Prayer of Saint Francis in Front of Saint Francis