This Familiar Air

This Familiar Air

Quietly, silently, sacredly,

the Holy Spirit in reverence, descends fervently

 the atmosphere of holiness surrounds as time seems to stop briefly

the consecration takes place within the sanctuary

at the altar, that for a precious heartbeat becomes the hill at Calvary

the whispered words are spoken devoutly

a sweet melody, a stirring of harmony

closer to the soul than any other, Christ truly present in his body

humbly made this confession, this revelation

“Do this in memory”

life’s meaning, our very hope, glides its sound across this familiar Air

and risen from death, ascended to the Father, Christ is abundantly there!

Fr Patrick Brennan 2022 ©

A reflection on the consecration. I was listening to the “Derry Air” and as the music floated across me, I thought of the “sound” of the consecration. A beautiful melody filling the air, a “Familiar Air” Celebrating the Mass is the greatest privilege and gift I receive from ordination to the priesthood and after just shy of thirty years, it remains so!