Vespers Service to Take Place at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross will hold a vespers service on Sunday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Concert Hall. The service is part of a semester long series of events addressing Catholic practices and rituals. World famous organist James David Christie will provide the music for the event.

Vespers is an ancient Christian tradition of communal evening prayer. Although the Second Vatican Council called for a renewal of the celebration of vespers in churches on Sunday nights, the service has not been reinstated as originally hoped.

The vespers service at Holy Cross will begin with the "lucinarium" (service of light), an ancient opening rite that draws on Jewish and early Christian prayer customs, and will include an incense psalm and a reading from the New Testament. Kim McElaney, director of the Chaplains' Office, will offer a brief reflection.

James David Christie will provide the music for the service. He has been acclaimed as one of the finest organists of his generation. He received his B.A. in music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and his M.A. and Artist's Diploma from the New England Conservatory. He has performed in concerts throughout North America, Europe and Asia and is responsible for several organ installations in the United States and France.

Christie currently serves as Distinguished Artist in Residence and College organist at Holy Cross. He is also a member of faculties at the Boston Conservatory of Music and Wellesley College. Christie will be accompanied by one of the Holy Cross organ scholars.

This service is part of the conference "Practicing Catholic: Ritual, Body, and Contestation in Catholic Faith," taking place October 18 - 21, 2002 at Holy Cross.