This Holy Light

Refrain:

Come follow the star,
this holy light!
People, look East,
look to the sky:
Christ, our Savior, is born.

 1. In a world of suffering,
In a world of pain,
Where do we seek answers
to understand our faith?

2. In a world of conflict,
In a world at war,
Where do we seek answers
To the violence we abhor?

3. In a world of hunger
Where all we want is more,
Where do we seek answers
To welcome in the poor?

4. In a world of bloodshed,
In a world of hate,
Where do we seek answers
Before it's all too late?

5. In a world of mystery,
Where no one can be sure,
Where do we seek answers
To open wide our doors?

Composer: Ricky Manalo 

See other songs by Ricky Manalo

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Pie Jesu (Ricky Manalo)

In memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, 15 April 2013 







Background information on Pie Jesu

Composer: Ricky Manalo (1990)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

By the Waking of our Hearts

Refrain

By the waking of our hearts,
by the stirring of our souls,
may the Spirit of God abide
and bring us together in Christ.

1. Come, O Spirit, from above,
come from your celestial heights.
Come with your blessed light
so radiant bright. (Refrain)

2. Come, O Savior of the poor,
come, O source of gifts ensured.
Come with your gentle hope,
so wondrous and pure. (Refrain)

3. In our labor, rest most sweet;
grateful coolness in the heat.
Console our restless lives,
by your comfort, we seek. (Refrain)

4. Bend the stubborn heart and will,
melt the frozen, warm the chill.
Come guide our searching minds
toward your promise fulfilled. (Refrain)

5. Grant us virtue’s sure reward,
may your gracious love be sent.
Come with your peace and joy
that shall never end. (Refrain)

Verses based on the Pentecost Sequence, Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Composer: Ricky Manalo (1997)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Beyond the Days

Refrain:

Beyond the days of hope and mystery
we see a light of faith renewed,
and in our longing we thirst for guidance
to walk with you day by day.

1. Forty days and nights,
you guide the steps of our journey.
May your presence be felt
in the whisper of your voice. (Refrain)

2. Not on bread alone
are we to walk on this journey.
Speak the words that give life
to the yearnings of our hearts. (Refrain)

3. In your hands, O God,
we feel the touch of your guidance.
Keep us safe in your care:
may your gentleness be there. (Refrain)

4. On our Lenten path
we see the dawn of a new day.
Be our vision of hope;
be the promise of our lives. (Refrain)

Composer: Ricky Manalo

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

On this Day (Dies Domini)

1. On this day the first of days,
God’s most holy name we praise;
and who, creation’s Lord and spring,
did the world from darkness bring.

Refrain:
Dies Domini! Dies Domini!
On the Day of the Lord we rise and sing:
Dies Domini! Jubilate!
Praise and glory on this day!

2. On this day the eternal Christ
over death His triumph shines;
and on this day the Spirit came
with the gifts of living flame. (Refrain)

3. Loving God, Who did fashion us
image of Yourself we trust.
Come, fill us with Your love assured
and conform our wills to yours. (Refrain)

4. God, the blessed Three in One,
may Your holy will be done.
Now one with You with all above,
we send forth our hearts of love. (Refrain)

Text: Verses: Die parente temporum. Le Mans Breviary, 1748; tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877.
Refrain: Ricky Manalo (2002)
Music: Ricky Manalo (2002)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Ang Katawan Ni Kristo (Behold, the Body of Christ)

In the presence of our God,
as we gather here in Christ,
feel the Spirit breathe upon us,
the breath of life, graced and divine.
We have come to break the bread;
we have come to share our lives.
Let us bring these fruits to the table,
the love of God, yours and mine!

Refrain

Ang Katawan Ni Kristo (2x)
Behold the Body of Christ, Jesus our Saviour and Life!
Rejoice O people of God! We are the Body of Christ!

When we gather in our homes,
through our prayers and our meals,
we are fed and nourished together,
our families, broken and blessed.
In the household of the Lord,
where we come to share the meal,
we are fed the words of our Saviour,
one family, strengthened and healed. (Refrain)

Bridge:
Is not the meal that we bless and share a communion in the life of Christ?
One bread, one blessing, one cup make us one body in our Lord.

In the presence of our God,
by the justice that is shown,
We will build a kingdom together;
The love of Christ given to all (Refrain)

Words: Ricky Manalo and Pia de Leon (2003)
Music: Ricky Manalo (2003)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.