BRIDE SPIRIT: SONGS OF THE BELOVED Is there a more exquisite embodiment of one wholly given in love than the Bride? No wonder the sacred traditions are so rich in rapturous metaphors of spousal union. The mystical scriptures of Judaism and Christianity in particular are laced through with this one underlying golden thread: the marriage of humanity to divinity, the wedding of earth and heaven. Indeed the climax of the visionary Book of Revelation is an invitation to the cosmic nuptial feast celebrating the great communion of all creation, adorned in bridal splendor, with her eternal Spouse. Summoned to this banquet of life we are graced to live in the spirit of the Bride. This collection celebrates the Bride Spirit sung in a variety of voices and musical idioms. The sweet lyricism of Celtic prayers from the Carmina Gadelica alternates with the smoldering passion of Teresa of Avila, pulsing to fiery rhythms of flamenco, and the wise insight of Thomas Merton sung in contemporary chant. The spirit of the Bride is evoked in the intimate whisper of the Hebrew psalmist, and in the comic wedding theme of the Book of Revelation. Whether in a haunting incantation or an anthem of jubilation, the Bride Spirit sings in harmony with all creation, and in unison with the silent pulse of love beating within her own heart. Special thanks to all those whose generosity has made this collection possible: our many benefactors and friends; the marvelous musicians of the spirit, Anima Schola; Sandra Rivera, who offered the passion of her flamenco; Carolyn Brown Senier for her manuscript assistance; and especially to the musical wizard, Paul Avgerinos whose creative collaboration has let Bride Spirit soar. This album is an offering of love to one whose spirit and name was Bride, and whose face graces this collection. My sister Ann and I wish to dedicate this recording to the bridal spirit of our mother Bridget Noone Deignan, a native of Ballyglass East, County Roscommon, Ireland. A portion of its proceeds will be offered to the "Bridie Fund" for the orphans of Nicaragua, who now are the beneficiaries of her richer life at the Great Banquet. With her and all of the Beloved, may we heed the invitation sung by the Spirit and the Bride: "Come to the wedding of earth and heaven; Come to the feast of life!" Welcome. Well, come… Kathleen Deignan, C.N.D. March 18th, 1999 Bride Spirit is an invitation to a wedding: of humanity to divinity, of earth and heaven. This is another glorious collection of mystical love songs by Sister Kathleen Deignan, CND recorded with the spirited ensemble Anima Schola These voices echo the eternal invitation of the Spirit and the Bride: "Come to the banquet of deepest communion, the feast of life." Welcome. Well, come… You are cordially invited to the wedding of earth and heaven as guests of Kathleen Deignan, CND and Anima Schola celebrating the Bride Spirit… Join us in celebrating the union of humanity and divinity sung in a variety of musical idoms and voices of and to the Bride Encompassed in an expansive field of harmonious sound, and in a variety of musical idioms, a stellar array of voices celebrate the bridal soul: Teresa of Avila in the pulsing beat of flamenco, Thomas Merton in contemporary chant, the Hebrew psalmist and the visionary and always those strains of the Celtic heart, sung to the prayers, litanies and incantations of the Carmina Gadelica.