Bibiel Hears Things: Anúna – “O Maria”

Hey people! Tomorrow, in the traditional Catholic calendar used until 1969, is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which also happens to be the patronal feast of my local SSPX church that has been my and my family’s parish for the last almost six years, so it’s an important feast for us. I thought that, this year, I would commemorate it in “Bibiel Hears Things” by sharing a Marian-themed piece that alludes to the sword of Simeon’s prophecy – which is where the imagery of Our Lady’s pierced Heart comes from in the first place. “O Maria” is the closing track of “Sensation”, Anúna’s 2006 album, and was then included again on 2025’s “Sanctum”. It is written by composer and Anúna’s founder Michael McGlynn, as is most of the ensemble’s material. I’ve actually shared the opening track of “Sensation”, “O Ignis Spiritus”, a few months ago, on the occasion of Whit Monday. It is a nearly six-minute piece, but consists of only three Latin lines, which you can find, alongside a translation,…