Album Notes

Ave Maria!
Virgo Parens is a collection of masterpieces of Gregorian Chant. This type of music is not simply something "added" to "beautify" the liturgy. It is much more. It not only exemplifies the glorious significance of the "sung" prayer, but it is the most perfect rendering of Roman Liturgy on the musical plane.
futhermore, Gregorian Chant is an immense and unique patrimony in the world of music, from where the polyphony (and later, modern music) was born. The balance and union between text and music is perfect.
For these reasons, Gregorian Chant contains a universal message capable of being understood and absorbed by all.
Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI) and their Choir
Like the Seraphic Father St. Francis, the Franciscans of the Immaculate strive to be perfectly conformed to the poor, humble, crucified Jesus through a life of chastity, supernatural charity and poverty. They are totally consecrated to the Immaculate Virgin after the recent example offered by St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe. By virtue of their vow of unlimited and total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is their mission and duty to give Mary to souls, to cause them to discover and know Her, to make all hearts love Her, using every means in order that She may bring souls to Jesus and transform them into other Christs "in the swiftest, surest, most beautiful way." (St. Maximilian)
The Choir of the FFI, established on 1997, consist of 20 friars and it is conducted by Fr. Giovanni M. Manelli.Their religious life is composed by long hours of prayer in which music - and especially the Chant - has a very important role. The Choir is constantly occupied in preparation and singing for the Shrines and Friary of the FFI Institute, but it also offers several spiritual concerts with a large repertoire: Gregorian Chant, Polyphony, '800 and '900 music.
Fr. Giovanni M Manelli