Rufino Zaragoza, OFM

Those who loved A Sacred Place will also find rest in the soothing music of Longing Heart/Con Tim Khát Khao.

The first instrumental recording of Vietnamese liturgical songs
This groundbreaking collection by Brother Rufino is the first-ever instrumental recording of Vietnamese liturgical songs! Recorded primarily in Vietnam with some of the most renowned Vietnamese musicians, Longing Heart blends piano, flute and cello with traditional Vietnamese instruments to create a rich tapestry of gentle music suitable for retreats, prayer and meditation.

Featuring the exotic sound of traditional Vietnamese instruments
The instrumentation and melodies -- written by Vietnamese composers -- move the listener to feelings of transcendence. You'll notice especially the sublime sound of the dan tranh (a Vietnamese form of the Chinese zheng), the piercing quality of the dan nhi (a two-stringed fiddle) and the warmth of the dan bau (a single-stringed, mono-chord zither).

Calm yet deeply passionate music
Marked by a smooth, steady flow and Brother Rufino's tender, understated piano work, the music is calm yet deeply passionate, expressing a yearning, a hunger and thirst for the divine.

CD booklet text in English and Vietnamese.

A classic, best-selling instrumental collection
Franciscan Brother Rufino Zaragoza brings the gentle warmth and compassion of Franciscan spirituality to his musical compositions, and A Sacred Place is his instrumental journey into the mysteries of the soul.

Piano improvisations with cello, flute and guitar
It features Rufino's melodic piano improvisations along with cello, flute and guitar solos. Occasional fountain, rainstick and gong sounds enhance the sonic landscape, ushering in the meditative tranquility which soothes mind, body and spirit. This collection includes Rufino's "California Mission Suite," which is based on historic melodies from the early Franciscan missions.

Facilitates uninterrupted prayer and meditation
Rufino is deeply interested in the rhythm of personal spirituality and prophetic ministry, the crescendo and decrescendo of action and especially contemplation. A Sacred Place uses smooth key changes and song transitions to facilitate a period of uninterrupted meditation and spiritual focusing.