Black Christ of the Andes (Mary Lou Williams)

In 1962, jazz pianist virtuoso Mary Lou Williams composed Black Christ of the Andes. The choral work was written in honor of the newly canonized Peruvian brother of the Dominican Order, Martin de Porres. St. Martin de Porres was the son of a freed slave and a Spanish gentleman. A barber by trade, as a Dominican lay brother he was known for his nonjudgmental care for the sick in the infirmary. Today he is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, and all those seeking racial harmony.

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Within Our Darkest Night You Kindle a Fire that Never Dies Away

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O Magnum Mysterium (Lauridsen)

“O Magnum Mysterium,” by Morten Lauridsen may be the most beautiful song I have ever heard. Several years ago, I was privileged to be in a choir that sang this piece, and that was my introduction to this amazing work.

From the YouTube notes: "The choir of Westminster Cathedral sing Morten Lauridsen's stunningly beautiful setting of O Magnum Mysterium during Midnight Mass 2009."

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Of the Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father's Love Begotten, sung by the St Martin's Chamber Choir. The hymn is by the fourth century Roman Christian poet, Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius.

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