Saint Martin's will present "Sacred," a concert marking Saint Martin of Tours' Feast Day Nov. 11

Oct. 19, 2004

Lacey, Wash. – “Sacred,” a concert by the Saint Martin’s department of music, will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Saint Martin of Tour’s Feast Day, at Saint Martin’s Abbey Church, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E. The public is invited to attend this free musical event, which is co-sponsored by the college’s Office of Campus Ministry.

“This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the saint for whom the school was named,” says Darrell Born, director of the department of music. Born, who began the concert honoring Saint Martin of Tours last year, described it as a “worship concert.”

The feast day commemorates Saint Martin’s death on Nov. 11, 397, and serves as a reminder of his life. Martin was a member of the Roman army stationed in what is now France when he shared his large cloak with a beggar on a bitter cold night. Sometime later, he had a vision in which the beggar revealed himself as Jesus Christ. Giving up military life, he was baptized a Christian and later became a monk, founding the first monastery in France and preaching throughout the region. He reluctantly accepted the office of bishop of Tours but continued to live as a monk, one whose extraordinary spirituality converted many people to spirituality.

The 51-voice Saint Martin’s College Chorale, under Born’s direction, will sing “Adoramus Te,” by Palestrina; “Peace I Leave With You,” by Renee Clausen; and “Alleluia,” by Randall Thompson. Organist Art Peterson will accompany the chorale. Also on the program are vocal ensembles and soloists. Organist Art Peterson will accompany some of the selections; others will be accompanied by Saint Martin’s faculty member Lee Mohler, and by Louise Moon, trumpet, and Phil Wasson, guitar.

Between musical selections, Susan Leyster, director of Campus Ministry, and Brother Luke Devine, O.S.B., of Saint Martin’s Abbey, will read scriptures from the Bible and inspirational selections.

For more information, please call the college’s Office of Campus Ministry, 360-438-4381, or the department of music, 360-438-4506.

For more information:
Deanna Partlow
Office of Communication