The Glorious Melody of Living Fully Alive
Earlier this month, I had the blessing of attending St. Gregory the Great Institute’s Music Camp as a junior counsellor! I went in with the desire to try something new and allow the Lord to teach me in ways I hadn’t focused on before. This desire was certainly granted, with immense joy! I encountered the beauty of our Catholic Faith through attending three types of liturgies, reflecting on virtues, memorizing scripture, singing morning prayer, partaking in the sacrament of reconciliation, and taking time for silence. Being a part of the voice stream allowed me to become immersed in Eastern and Western chant and hymns that filled my soul with a newness I had never experienced. I was reflecting on the fact that being given the gift to sing with a choir for all the liturgies helped me to focus on the Mass with a different perspective. I felt so ready to receive Jesus each day because of the preparations and intentionality put into learning the Mass parts.
My heart was renewed in the authentic friendships that were formed throughout the week. It was a wondrous balance of fruitful conversation and the opportunity to grow in leadership. All of the girls at camp taught me what it means to truly live as sisters in Christ. I felt so connected to all the wonderful female Saints, especially Our Lady. Whether getting ready in the morning, laughing, having late-night conversations, playing spike ball at free time, killing mosquitoes, having mealtime conversations, and everything in between, I felt Mama Mary smiling at the unity of her daughters. These lovely dynamics of beautiful femininity gave me a glimpse of Heavenly glory.
Through the moments of faith and friendship, a renewal of culture started to expand in my mind, heart, and soul. Having wholesome fun with people of all ages refreshes the foundation of your being. Whether singing at the top of your lungs, crawling on the grass during Mission Impossible, creating skits based on a proverb, dancing to live folk songs, running full speed during capture the flag, crafting a bouquet, or doing chores as a group, earthly tasks are suddenly touched by the divine. Slowly and gently, my heart was caught up in the glorious melody of living fully alive in the Body of Christ. I will never be the same after tasting these goods and basking in the joys of such friendship. I can’t wait to experience more of what this Institute has to offer.
