On Driving Home the Faith, Dr. Christopher Holman, assistant professor of music at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology and director of the Sacred Music Institute, joins Ken Craycraft to preview the Institute’s upcoming season of sacred music.

The season begins Sunday, September 13, with an organ recital by Daniel Groats, followed by Solemn Vespers featuring the Athenaeum Chorale, the Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola, period instruments, and J.S. Bach’s magnificent Magnificat in D major.

Dr. Holman explains the long tradition of Solemn Vespers at the seminary and why these public celebrations offer the community a glimpse into the daily prayer life of the seminarians. He also discusses the use of 18th-century instruments to recreate the sound Bach himself would have known and why historically informed performance requires such highly skilled musicians.

Ken and Dr. Holman also explore the relationship between beauty and worship, and how sacred music can move both people of deep faith and those who may be uncertain about God. Dr. Holman explains how Bach’s genius goes beyond beautiful melodies: his musical settings can actually illumine the words of Scripture, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the text.

The centerpiece of the evening will be Bach’s setting of the Magnificat—the Canticle of Mary, Mary's response to God at the Annunciation.

Event: Sacred Music Institute Opening Season
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Organ Recital: 6:30 p.m. — Daniel Groats
Solemn Vespers: 7:00 p.m.
Featuring: Athenaeum Chorale, Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola & J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Major

A beautiful evening of prayer, Scripture, sacred music, and the transcendent beauty of the Catholic liturgy.

On Driving Home the Faith, Dr. Christopher Holman, assistant professor of music at Mount St. Mary&rsquo;s Seminary &amp; School of Theology and director of the Sacred Music Institute, joins Ken Craycraft to preview the Institute&rsquo;s upcoming season of sacred music.
The season begins Sunday, September 13, with an organ recital by Daniel Groats, followed by Solemn Vespers featuring the Athenaeum Chorale, the Mount St. Mary&rsquo;s Latin Schola, period instruments, and J.S. Bach&rsquo;s magnificent Magnificat in D major.
Dr. Holman explains the long tradition of Solemn Vespers at the seminary and why these public celebrations offer the community a glimpse into the daily prayer life of the seminarians. He also discusses the use of 18th-century instruments to recreate the sound Bach himself would have known and why historically informed performance requires such highly skilled musicians.
Ken and Dr. Holman also explore the relationship between beauty and worship, and how sacred music can move both people of deep faith and those who may be uncertain about God. Dr. Holman explains how Bach&rsquo;s genius goes beyond beautiful melodies: his musical settings can actually illumine the words of Scripture, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the text.
The centerpiece of the evening will be Bach&rsquo;s setting of the Magnificat&mdash;the Canticle of Mary, Mary's response to God at the Annunciation.
Event: Sacred Music Institute Opening Season Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026 Organ Recital: 6:30 p.m. &mdash; Daniel Groats Solemn Vespers: 7:00 p.m. Featuring: Athenaeum Chorale, Mount St. Mary&rsquo;s Latin Schola &amp; J.S. Bach&rsquo;s Magnificat in D Major
A beautiful evening of prayer, Scripture, sacred music, and the transcendent beauty of the Catholic liturgy.

Dr. Ken Craycraft hosts Driving Home the Faith, catching you up on what’s going on in the world, across the country and in our local Catholic community. 

Dr. Ken Craycraft hosts Driving Home the Faith, catching you up on what&rsquo;s going on in the world, across the country and in our local Catholic community.&nbsp;