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Summer 2003

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Sanctuary Records "Ancient Light":  Music to Light the Heart, Mind and Soul
Irene Burgo

Sacred music has been a longtime part of the Augustinian tradition at Villanova.  A quote from St. Augustine's Confessions attests to his appreciation of the art form:         

'I wept at the beauty of your hymns and canticles
and was powerfully moved at the sweet sound of your church singing;
The sounds flowed into my ears, and the truth streamed into my heart.' 
--St. Augustine of Hippo:  The Confessions, 9, 6

Over the years, Villanova's liturgical music ensemble, Sanctuary, has enhanced the culture of Augustine that pervades the University through their performances of sacred music for rituals for prayer and contemplation.  The ensemble has recorded several albums, including "Magnificat," (1996) "Passion," (2000) as well as its newest recording, titled "Ancient Light."

The Rev. Shawn Tracy, O.S.A., of Campus Ministry, who is the founder of Sanctuary, introduced "Ancient Light" on Nov. 17. A special opening including a multi-media presentation of the music took place that day at 7:30 p.m. in the Villanova Room of the Connelly Center.

The music of "Ancient Light" epitomizes Augustinian spirituality within the Roman Catholic, Villanova tradition. Father Tracy titled the recording "Ancient Light" because he relates it to a "secret sun," which he describes as the inner light of the heart that sheds light to persons of faith.  He cites a quote from the text of Augustine's, De Beata Vita, which inspired him while he was composing it: "The secret sun pours its beaming light into our inward eyes.." The line represents to Father Tracy the immanence of the prscence of God  found in Augustine's theory of illumination. 

He chose the title "Ancient Light" while visiting Newgrange, Ireland.  An ancient people used the stone site as a sacred shrine  to chart the sun's yearly "journey of light." At solstice time, the sun's light became focused upon three spirals etched into the wall of a sacred shrine.

Relating some of the thinking behind the theme of the recording and how he tailored it to the Augustinian tradition, Father Tracy explained: "The heart drives the mind; the mind doesn't drive the heart. It is your heart, not the emotions, which is your center. It is through your heart--or your center--where light enters and thus illumines the soul. When you let light enter your soul, you become clear and can see that you are the image of God-who is your Source." He recalled Augustine's theory of illumination, in which "he refers to the inner light or secret sun."  Father Tracy succinctly summed up the theory, adding:  "We are created in God's image-we are images of ineffable light.  The light is hidden within us, and when we come to discern that light, we are in touch with its Divine Source.  The image of God has been planted within each of us.  When we consciously resonate with that image, we find our true selves.  We are enlightened, and true happiness is ours."

The music in the album supports the scriptural Word of God, as understood by Augustine. God's word expressed through the music of "Ancient Light" reflects  a spiritual need in Western culture. It relates the need of humankind to act in accordance with the laws of God and nature, to act responsibly, to respect the environment and to foster justice and peace in all its endeavors, especially after the tragedy of September 11.

"After September 11, our attention focused on prayer services of healing and justice.  The event clearly influenced our selection of music toward texts with a biblical justice theme. Moreover, people in today's stressed-filled, materialistic society are turning to the meditative, contemplative classic traditions of Christianity in order to rediscover their souls and find peace," observed Father Tracy.

"This recording and this music is a real contribution to the Augustinian tradition, because it reflects the spiritual, almost mystical, side of the human spirit.  You can't understand the history of Western culture without referring to Augustine, who, because of his Christian faith, was so pivotal to it.  He was the guiding force for Christianity in the Western world in which music has played such a formative role in the history of the Church. Much of Augustine's 'Confessions' seem 'biblical' in nature.  It's almost as if he memorized the Scriptures, as you would a song, and kept playing them out," Father Tracy said.

The text of "Ancient Light" was adapted from the Scriptures. "The words drive the music, and the music drives the performance and the arrangements," he explained. He has incorporated the Christian spiritual tradition called "Lectio Divina," a repetition of text, like a mantra, used by monks and contemplative people in crafting their music as prayer.     The biblical texts from the Old and New Testaments set to music include passages from Ezekiel, Isaiah, Psalms 67, 122, and 119), the prologue of John's Gospel, and the Book of Revelation. Father Tracy recalled a quote from Isaiah which served as part of the inspiration for the album: "If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and negativity, if you bestow your bread upon the hungry, and meet the needs of those who are afflicted, then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and gloom shall be for you as mid-day." (Isaiah 58: 9-10)

There are three sections of music called spirals woven together by chanted responsorials.  Each demonstrates a particular spiritual focus.  Spiral I uses words of promise and hope.  Spiral II presents the metaphorical city of Jerusalem as the place where God's peace can be found.  The third, Spiral III, captures the longing of both the human heart and the earth's people. The longing of the human heart as expressed in music resounds throughout the recording. For example, the concluding Epilogue is a mantric rendition of the famous Augustinian text from The Confessions: 'You have made us for yourself, O lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.'

The music for this album developed within the Villanova tradition of student liturgy, retreats, service learning workshops and sacred music concerts.  "Some of the music for the recording also came from the experience of the people in the Villanova community. It has evolved from performances and liturgies on campus," said Father Tracy. A series of chants, in fact, which was recorded during a live performance in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church with invited members of the Villanova community on the evening of last August 22, separates the sections of the recording.

Two Villanova alumni, who are musicians and members of Sanctuary, have contributed their talents to the production of the recording.  Dan Mason '79, who serves as the music director, arranged the music. Paul Ochs '96, was responsible for many of the keyboard orchestrations.  The icon which appears on the cover of "Ancient Light" was created by iconographer Susan vonMedicus. 

The recording went on sale on Nov. 17, coinciding with the University's commemoration of Hunger Awareness Week. It is available on CD or cassette for $16. plus S&H by calling 1-800-834-6250.  For more information, visit the web site at: www.sanctuary.villanova.edu