Lenten Audition: “Secrets” by Danielle Rose

Only when we are more deliberate in our actions do we realize how much our choices change the way we think and feel. Great Lent, as a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, is a time of growth in intention. In this spring cleansing of the soul, I propose to clean up our musical choices.

Too often the music we listen to can lead us into a dead end that is not conducive to our relationship with God. The lyrics tell us over and over again that our joy lies in people who make mistakes and in fleeting moments, or the tone encourages us to indulge in negative emotions excessively.

Now I love the mean car ride screaming Taylor Swift as much as any other person, but this indulgence needs to be purposeful and chosen, not automatic and thoughtless. In Lent, I suggest that you consider listening to music in order to develop a relationship with God.

If you don’t know where to look, type “Danielle Rose” into Spotify’s search bar. A 2002 Notre Dame graduate, Danielle Rose has been writing and performing music for God for many years. Realizing her possible calling to a secluded convent, she heard the Lord’s call elsewhere and now lives happily with her husband and children in Minnesota.

She has several beautiful albums. One is dedicated to the memory of the saint she loved and worked with, Saint Mother Teresa, while her latest album celebrates the pain and faith of a miscarriage. Her album “Secrets” is especially suitable for Lenten listening. Written in response to Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae”, the album is, according to Danielle Rose’s website, “both a tribute and a response to the JPII invitation: ‘Young people, take the rosary once more’.” ”

The album consists of 23 songs written for 20 mysteries of the Rosary, an opening prayer and two closing prayers. The opening song “True Love” sets the tone for the entire album, inviting the listener to rest in the light of Christ’s love and follow His example. Each of the following songs is a masterpiece of theology and beauty, each note of which glorifies Mother Mary. Each of the songs is told from different perspectives in the Bible, the songs together create a deep and fresh conception of the mysteries of the Rosary.

The songs on the Joyful Mysteries are truly joyful. Sung through the eyes of Elizabeth and Mary, the Star of Bethlehem, Simeon and Saint Joseph, the Rose conveys the emotion and essence of every mystery. “Finding” is my personal favorite, as St. Joseph’s natural anxiety and parental fears are beautifully contrasted with the simple trust of the baby Jesus.

The album could not have been a response to JPII’s letter without songs dedicated to his Light secrets. Here we hear from St. John the Baptist, Mother Mary and Jesus. The Wedding at Cana is an optimistic look at Jesus’ love for His mother. The rose shows how willingly He inclines His ear to Mary and with what love She listens to our simple requests. “The Love Song of Jesus” reminds us of what the fifth Luminous Mystery really means; Jesus reaches us in the Eucharist and asks us to love Him as He loves us.

Meditations on the Sorrowful Secrets are perhaps the strongest on the album. Here the Rose enters the heart of the lonely Jesus, the crowd calling for His blood, and even the branch turned into His crown. “Crucify Him” ​​is a chilling encounter with our complicity in Christ’s death; the listener cannot help but wonder if every harsh word, every unkind deed, is yet another nail in the hand of God. “Crown of Thorns” is possibly my favorite song on the album; it’s the perfect meditation song as Rose’s beautiful voice sings a cappella on a familiar theme in an unfamiliar manner. “Holiness is fidelity” turns the fourth mystery on its head; instead of focusing on the pain of Jesus, the song celebrates the joy of Christ’s sacrifice and invites us to take up our own cross and follow Him. The Song of the Mother closes the Lamentable Mysteries with Mary’s heartbreaking desire to spare her Son and her simultaneous pride and gratitude for His sacrifice.

Glorious mysteries are certainly glorified by Rose. From a call to “Rejoice!” angels, to the joy of Jesus, who crowned His mother Queen of Heaven, these songs are full of the joy of revelation. They show us that the life of Christ is an invitation to active freedom.

The album ends with a beautiful song for our Mother and a final call to action. “Hail, Holy Queen” showcases Rose’s vocal grace and truly celebrates the holiness of the Rosary. As we enter Lent as a Catholic community, let’s take a look at the last song on the album; “Reason to Believe” offers the listener a brief blueprint for holy living: “Live to be a reason to believe.”