Music to Pray By: Ladies in Lavender

Sacred music has a large part to play in our Catholic lives. Every one of us can surely name some religious song that lifts our spirits, be it “Ave Maria” or “Here I Am, Lord.”

But even music that is not specifically religious can have a spiritual side to it. Any beautiful melody can orient our thoughts towards God, the source of all creation – and that, in itself, is a kind of prayer.

In this series, I'll highlight five pieces that, while not ostensibly “churchy,” are nonetheless very powerful at getting me into a prayerful, contemplative frame of mind. Sample them here, or make a playlist for your own quiet moments.

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Soundtrack from Ladies in Lavender by Nigel Hess

Any movie that stars both Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith doesn’t need much more to recommend itself, but this film also happens to have a soundtrack of tremendous beauty. It’s gentle and moving and nostalgic (what is it about a violin that is always so haunting?)

https://youtu.be/O-Ru6aaipLI

Which secular songs get you in a prayerful frame of mind? What would you add to the list?

Listen to my other Music to Pray By selections.