What is an “hour”?
Is it nothing more than a unit of time composed of 60 minutes? Is it measured by numbers or by impressions, feelings, moods? Like the seasons of the year, the seasons of the day differ by the way we experience them. Each hour we encounter has a character and a presence infinitely richer and more complex than clock time. As a messenger from another dimension — an angel as it were — an hour has its own unique significance. Here is your opportunity to meet the angels of the hours, to befriend them, and to allow them to befriend you.
About the Angels
In creating this feature, we incorporated the angel images of Fra Angelico (1400-1455). The artist executed the altarpiece called Linaiuoli Tabernacle for the Arte dei Linaiouli (Guild of Flaxmakers) in 1433. The central panel (see enlargement) depicting the Madonna and Child is surrounded by a band of 12 angels playing different musical instruments. These angels are among the most famous and most popular paintings of Fra Angelico. Tempera on wood. Presented here with gratitude to the Museo di San Marco, Florence, Italy.
About the Music
The hymns for the hours are sung by monks of Mount Saviour Monastery in Pine City, New York (recorded October 2001). Singers included: Br. Gabriel, Br. James K., Br. James C., and Br. David. The digital recording was made by Barny Cole of Calf Audio in Ithaca, New York.
The bells are from the recording Eine Reise durch Glockeneuropa. Permission pending from Motette-Ursina Label of Düsseldorf, Germany. Bells of 8 European churches are represented. They are:
Vigils: StephansDom in Vienna, Austria
Lauds: Votal Church in Szeged, Hungary
Prime: ZuiderKerk in Amsterdam, Holland
Terce: St. Stephans Church in Karlsruhe, Germany
Sext: St.Mary’s Church in Gdansk, Poland
None: Cathedral in Dijon, France
Vespers: Cathedral in Zagreb, Croatia
Compline: Cathedral in Messina, Sicily
Credits:
Concept, Design, and Programming:
Linda Fisher, Br. David Steindl-Rast, Daniel Uvanovic
Angel of the Hour is made possible by support from the Grateful Living community. Please consider making a donation.