Mary Jane Ballou and Schola to Sing for Groundhog's Day

(Sorry, couldn't resist -- HOW could the "journalist" write that?)

The St. Augustine Schola Cantorae
will sing Vespers for the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple (Candlemas) at 6 p.m. Feb. 2. With music from the time of the Shrine's beginnings in the 17th century, the Schola will honor both the feast and the oldest Marian shrine in the United States.

Vespers will combine Latin and English, Gregorian chant and polyphony, and will end with the traditional Salve Regina, sung by all.

Best known in the United States as Groundhog Day, this feast was already celebrated in Jerusalem in the early 4th century. In northern Europe, sunny weather on Candlemas was a predictor of a longer winter.

Thus, when it's sunny and the groundhog sees his shadow, we'll have six more weeks of winter.

Formed in 2007 and directed by Mary Jane Ballou, the St. Augustine Schola Cantorae is a women's vocal ensemble that specializes in Gregorian chant and a cappella (unaccompanied) sacred music.

To learn more, go to http://www.cantorae.com or call 1-800-863-3613.

The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche is located on the historic mission grounds on San Marco Avenue.

For information on the shrine, go to www.missionandshrine.org or call 824-2809.

Wish I could be there, (I'll be about two days later, driving through the area en route to Jupiter.)