Enjoy a nostalgic Christmas with this special bonus episode featuring Sounds of Christmas, a rare 1974 album recorded by the Saint John’s Seminary Choir under the direction of Rev. Francis V. Strahan, then Director of Sacred Music. Let these historic recordings—chant, traditional carols, and beloved seasonal classics—bring you into the warmth, reverence, and joy of Christmases past.
Side 1- Hodie Christus natus est! — Praetorius• 00:00 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming • 02:33 Angelus ad Virginem (Feast of the Annunciation) — 14th CenturySchola: Rev. Steven M. Kucharski, Rev. Richard J. Mehm, Mr. Peter W. Hogan, Mr. James J. O’DriscollRecorder: Mr. Stephen M. Healy• 04:22 Silent Night — Traditional• 09:00 Dominus dixit ad me (Introit: Midnight Mass) — Gregorian Chant• 11:33 This Is the Night — I. Deiss• 13:39 O Holy Night — Adam Soloist: Rev. Francis V. Strahan• 17:28 Hallelujah, Amen — Handel
Side 2- Laudate Dominum omnes gentes!• 20:15 Go Tell It on the Mountain — Traditional Soloist: Rev. Richard J. Mehm• 23:40 Shepherds, Awake! (Austrian Carol) — K. Davis• 25:21 Carol of the Bells (Ukrainian Carol) — Wilhousky• 26:55 Calypso Noel (Caribbean Carol) — Krunnfusz• 29:04 Silver Bells — Livingston & Evans Soloist: Rev. Francis V. Strahan• 32:17 The Little Drummer Boy (Czech Carol) — K. Davis• 34:57 The Sleigh (Russian Winter Song) — Kountz• 36:14 The Snow Lay on the Ground (English Carol)• 38:36 Do You Hear What I Hear? — Regney & Shayne
Accompanists:Mr. Joseph A. Camara, Mr. Joseph T. Devine, Mr. Gerald H. Galipeau
Percussive Effects:Mr. Peter W. Hogan
The Saint John’s Seminary Choir of 1974 consisted of about 60 seminarians preparing for the Catholic priesthood, from college-level studies to the final year of theology. Based in Brighton, Massachusetts, the seminary serves the Archdiocese of Boston and other dioceses and religious communities. The choir regularly provided music across the archdiocese and at major liturgies at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Their annual Christmas program, Sounds of Christmas, became widely known and beloved, bringing traditional and contemporary carols to hospitals, parishes, and schools. Side 1 of the album presents the story of Christmas; Side 2 gathers carols from many nations, expressing the universal joy of Christ’s birth.
Fr. Strahan, professor of Church Music and director of the choir, received his music degree from the New England Conservatory and completed further studies at the Pius X School of Music. He served on the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, led workshops across New England, and composed music included in The Catholic Liturgy Book and the People’s Mass Book.