Basilica of St. Adalberts
Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est”
“Where God has met me in my musical journey
has mostly been in the quiet stillness of comforting words
set to grace-filled melodies and harmonies.”
Scott Bosscher, Choir Director on this retirement, May 17, 2026
It began as part of a family celebration of birthdays that included a concert at St. Adalberts. What I didn’t know was the impact that a concert can have!
Our extended family was seated in a single pew in the middle of the Basilica. We sat for an hour and one-half and listened to the beautiful voices of men and boys with the organ that filled the space both within the basilica but in each of the attendees. We also sang together.
The theme was a Latin phrase, "Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est” - "Where charity and love are found, there God is.”. The hymns and the spoken word echoed the healing that is needed and found in the beauty we all experienced.
The event also celebrated the transition of choirmasters and closed with a final beautiful selection entitled “Effortlessly” by Taylor Scott Davis with words by Mechtild of Magdeburg. You can hear it sung on YouTube by VOCES8.
Effortlessly,
Love flows from God into man,
Like a bird
Who rivers the air
Without moving her wings.
Thus we move in His world
One in body and soul,
Though outwardly separate in form.
As the Source strikes the note,
Humanity sings—
The Holy Spirit is our harpist,
And all strings
Which are touched in Love
Must sound.
~ Mechthild of Magdeburg
(trans. Jane Hirshfield)
Thanks to The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys for the beauty so freely given. It was a healing moment.
Marvin
