Mastersingers Participate in Candlelight Vespers
On Thursday, December 14th, Saint Mary Magdalen Church on Concord Pike presented its annual Candlelight Vespers featuring the Adult Choir of St. Mary Magdalen Church and the Mastersingers of Archmere Academy, accompanied by a full orchestra. An annual offering, the Vespers Service was held at 7:00pm at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803.
This year, the Mastersingers sang a world premier piece, "There Is No Rose", which was written for them by the American composer, Dr. Michael John Trotta, who was also in attendance. A special evening of prayer and song, the service was open to the public.
Per Saint Mary Magdalen Church, about the Vespers Service:
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Per Saint Mary Magdalen Church, about the Vespers Service:
The St. Mary Magdalen Church Candlelight Vesper Service is a unique expression of three traditional forms of worship. The service includes - from the Catholic tradition - Evening Prayer and from the Moravian tradition - the Singstunde (Singing Hour), a service of music with no preaching, and closes with the Moravian Candlelight Service. The music is carefully selected and arranged to bring the Christmas message without the need of a sermon. The candlelight service originated in Marienborn, Germany, in 1747 when candles were distributed at the Christmas Eve Service. The flame reminds us of the light of Christ’s love. The first candlelight service in the United States was held on Christmas Eve, 1756 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a city whose first settlers were Moravian, and where it is still celebrated today. This service is unique to Saint Mary Magdalen Parish and the only church in the United States that presents this form of worship.
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
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