Saint Martin’s celebrates tradition with annual Sacred Music Concert

October 20, 2011

Lacey, Washington — Members of the Saint Martin’s University Chorale will lift their voices in two free public programs of sacred music, poetry and readings Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30. The annual performances, which celebrate All Saints Day and the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours, the University’s patron saint, will take place at Saint Martin’s Abbey Church, 5000 Abbey Way SE, in Lacey, Washington. The Saturday performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday performance at 2 p.m. Doors open 15 minutes earlier. No reservations are necessary.

“The spirit of the concert is rooted in its collaborative nature and celebration of Saint Martin’s tradition,” says Chorale Director Darrell Born, associate professor of music at Saint Martin’s. “As a joint project of the University’s Department of Music and Campus Ministry, it heightens the sense of community that is integral to the Benedictine philosophy guiding the University.”

The Order of Saint Benedict, which established Saint Martin’s, was founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia, Italy, in the early 500s. The Order is governed by “The Rule of Saint Benedict,” a set of values that stresses community, hospitality, stewardship, stability, listening and a reverence for learning.

Saint Martin of Tours, the University’s patron saint, lived earlier—in the early fourth century. A Roman soldier, he converted to Christianity and left military service. He became a monk, and eventually bishop of Tours, France. Saint Martin is best known for helping the poor and for bringing Christianity to the rural people in his area.

For more information about the concerts, contact Susan Leyster, director of campus ministry, 360-438-4581 or leysters@stmartin.edu.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university located on a 380-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its extension campuses located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Everett College, Centralia College and Tacoma Community College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at www.stmartin.edu.

For more information:

Susan Leyster
Director of campus ministry
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4581
leysters@stmartin.edu

Jennifer Fellinger
Vice president for marketing and communications
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4332
jfellinger@stmartin.edu