Saturday, April 30, 2011

Totus Tuus



" I do not know when it will come but I place this moment, like all other things, in the hands of the Mother of my Master: Totus Tuus. In these same motherly hands I leave everything and Everyone with whom my life and my vocation have brought me into contact. In these Hands I above all leave the Church, and also my Nation and all humankind. I thank everyone. I ask forgiveness of everyone. I also ask for prayers, so that God’s Mercy may prove greater than my own weakness and unworthiness."


Monday, April 25, 2011

Valio! Edvinas Minkstimas, on your Doctorate






From Our Lady of Vilnius, NYC

In true Our Lady of Vilnius fashion, one of the worst pianos I've ever heard was paired with one of the best pianists, Edvinas Minkstimas, who played for our Lithuanian/English Mass in the church hall. It's been a pleasure to hear him play in local venues such as Alice Tully Hall and the U.N. Today we received news that he has successfully completed his doctorate at Juilliard:

"Dear Friends,

Just wanted to let you know that today I successfully passed the Doctoral Defense Exams at the Juilliard School.

I look forward to the commencement ceremony on May 20th, when I will officially received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Juilliard School.

Your support, kindness and encouragement made it all possible. My deep gratitude goes to all of you,

Sincerely,
Edvinas
"
Congratulations, Edvinas. It was a pleasure to meet you and hear you play. We look forward to following you throughout your career.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Crux Fidelis



FAITHFUL Cross! Above all other,
one and only noble Tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
none in fruit thy peers may be;
sweetest wood and sweetest iron!
Sweetest Weight is hung on thee!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Would this effect the Print...,er, Hudson Square?

The eradication of history was apparently proceeding nicely until the acronyms began sounding too silly. Today's NY Times informs us that Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries is writing legislation that would require city approval for name changes, punish realtors for making up new names and extending the boundaries of the more upscale districts. Salient quote from Mr. Jeffries:
“Neighborhoods have a history, culture and character that should not be tossed overboard whenever a Realtor decides it would be easier to market under another name,”
I hope he succeeds. I would hate to see Our Lady of Vilnius quarantined in WeVaNeHoTu, should it become aesthetically unacceptable to Hudson Square.

Visit the Times to read "ProCro, SoBro, FiDi, BoCoCa: A Lawmaker Says, ‘Enough'" by Cara Buckley.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Another whodunnit: Our Lady of Vilnius Rectory on Landmarks Preservation Calendar

The Our Lady of Vilnius Rectory, a.k.a. 32 Dominick Street, appears on a list of "Research Department Actions" scheduled for The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission's public meeting/hearing of March 22. Also on the schedule were 34, 36 and 38 Dominick Street.

Who? Why? When? What's up? How does this relate to our cause?


These are not rhetorical questions. Please enlighten this ignorama.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Encounter the Man of Sorrows in Manhattan at Mobia

Two renditions of the Rupintojelis recently attended a lecture given by the Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture titled Dead or Alive: The Mystery of the Man of Sorrows . The Rupintojelis made his way into the Q&A, and, after a brief moment of disorientation in the world of folk art, the panel of experts agreed that our Pensive Christ fell within the tradition of the Man of Sorrows.

The lecture was associated with the current exhibit at MOBIA, the Museum of BIblical Art: Passion in Venice, which explores the evolution of the image of Christ as the Man of Sorrows. Today's New York Times reviews this exhibit, which runs through June 12th, in a piece titled "The Enduring Power of an Icon."