Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
April 11, 2001
Catholic musician lets God minister
Concert devoted to those still grieving in Columbine's wake
By Alwen Bledsoe
Catholic composer/musician, John Michael Talbot will offer those affected by the Columbine shooting an evening of music and healing at St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Littleton April 19. The concert's theme is "The Healing Peace of God," and will include musical renditions of a 9th century Celtic prayer called, "Healer of My Soul," and of St. Ignatius of Loyola's prayer of surrender, "Surrender to Jesus."
Because it is occurring on the eve of the Columbine anniversary, this concert will differ from most, Talbot said, and added that he will not teach, but, instead, will let God minister.
"From what I hear, most of [the Columbine survivors] have learned deep things in the Lord and are qualified to teach me," he continued. "I don't go into this as if I have insight. I don't. All I have is music that can be a door for them to walk deeper into the Lord. I'm simply being a doorway."
An unusual journey has intertwined Talbot's life and music with faith. His musical career began in the 1960's when, at 15, he dropped out of school and began performing with the country folk/rock band Mason Proffit. When it disbanded, he began a spiritual journey through Native American spirituality, Buddhism, fundamentalist Christianity, and ultimately into Roman Catholicism in 1978, when, disillusioned with fundamentalism, he discovered St. Francis of Assisi and the Catholic contemplative writers and became a Franciscan lay brother at a retreat center in Indianapolis.
"The Christianity I came out of was like a line drawing," he said. "Most of the lines were in the right place. It was the face of Christ. It was Christian."
But, he added: "The Catholic Church is like a rich oil painting. All the subtle hues in the face of Christ are manifested more fully."
He went on to found The Little Portion Hermitage and his community The Brothers and Sisters of Charity in Eureka Springs, Ark. A community of celibate brothers and sisters, married couples, singles, and families, it is the only one of its kind in North America with canonical status from the Catholic Church.
Now, Talbot said, his music comes out of the contemplative life he leads with the community and in solitude.
"If I'm not leading a life of prayer," he said, "then the music is not prayerful. If I focus my life on my ministry, I'll begin to possess it and I'll suffocate it. But if I constantly let go of my ministry, then God can do with it what He wants.
"My ministry comes out of my being and my being has to be focused on God through Christ," he continued.
That principle, he said, is applicable to any Christian anywhere.
"One spiritual father said that when we don't let go of things, it's like a bird trying to fly with its feet tied with a string to a rock," he said. "It can only get so high. If we detach ourselves from all things, even our selves, in Christ, then we can cut that string and soar."
The concert will be held 7 p.m. April 19 at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton, 6673 W. Chatfield Ave. Tickets are not required, but a freewill offering will be taken. For more information, call the youth office at (303) 979-9560.
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