Awakening in Love- Margaret Rizza

Awakening in love

Music for contemplative worship

Foreword

'Awakening in love', a composition for solo soprano and instruments, was written to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the death of the Benedictine Monk John Main. It was written in grateful and loving thanks for all John Main has given to us and for his vision of a contemplative church that brings peace and unity between all peoples.

'Awakening in love’ forms part of a triptych which I completed in 2003 with words taken from John Main's inspiring and powerful book The Inner Christ. He believed that is is through silence, stillness and simplicity that we enter into the prayer of the heart, into the prayer of love.

Many of the compositions in this new collection were written in the silence, peace and beauty of St. Cuthman's Retreat House near Horsham, England.

Some of the pieces have underlying moods of joy and gratitude. Some have feelings of darkness, loss and struggle. All of them are a mixture of our daily searching for that peace which the world does not give.

Although this collection has been labor, I feel it has opened my heart to be near not only to those who are fulfilled and at peace but also to those who are suffering and lonely; that though the music, all will know that ehy are infinitely precious and unconditionally loved by God.

My prayer is that this new collection leads us all to new awakenings of the eternal Spirit of Love deep within our being.

Margaret Rizza