Let The Mother Wash Away Your Cares

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life -- Berthold Auerbach

It rained quite hard today. To many, rain is associated with sadness like its a non-stop shedding of tears from heaven. To me, rain is a blessing, a cleansing and washing away of life's "everyday dust."

I'm not sure what to write in this blog save that I know what its subject is. I spoke with my financial adviser and I wish I could say that all was well. That conversation left me in a downer mood. It was ironic that that mood set in just when the rain has stopped. So what do we do when times are rough? When the unexpected mars our plans for the future? Then, I remember addressing a blog to one of my good friends. I shared a song and the first line goes "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary talks to me speaking words of wisdom: let it be."

Music truly has a way of answering our deepest thoughts and sought after dreams. Choral singing in particular has that cleansing and reflective effect upon me. Each song has its own way of catharsis. Each song has its own way to ease the soul.

Sometimes when you feel down, you'd need the comfort of someone who cares for you the most. And I find this beautiful trait in the Most Blessed Mother Mary--the Mother of Jesus Christ. She is a mother not only to Catholics, but to everyone. Yes, believe it or not, she can and is the mother of everyone who seeks for a mother in his/her life. Just think of what a perfect mother should be like: kind, tender, lovingly caressing and nurturing her children, understanding and concerned about their feelings, worries and wants in life; a constant shoulder to cry on, giving hope and encouragement for the young ones to continue to struggle amidst the trials and difficulties...oh I could go on and on and on. Anyone could seek this mother--if he/she wants to--in the Blessed Mother Mary.

You may or may not agree with me. But allow me to invite you to listen to one of the most popular hymns dedicated to our dear Blessed Mother. This prayer has been set into song for several generations and until now, composers continue to revisit and write new arrangements. Without further adieu, I present to you "Ave Maria" arranged by Ralph Hoffman and performed by Novo Concertante Manila. I invite you to bask in its highs and lows, its soft and loud moments...for it is in these moments in our life that our Mother's love can truly be felt if you wish to seek it.

Ave Maria Lyrics (Latin)                                           English

Ave Maria                                                                Hail Mary
Gratia plena                                                             Full of grace
Dominus tecum                                                        The Lord is with you
Benedicta tu in mulieribus                                         Blessed are you among women
Et benedictus fructus ventris                                     And Blessed is the fruit of your womb
Tui, Jesus                                                                Jesus...
Sancta Maria                                                          Holy Mary
Mater Dei                                                               Mother of God
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus                                     Pray for us sinners
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae                                 Now and at the hour of our death
Amen.                                                                    Amen.