St. Louis Jesuits

Composers of some of the most beloved liturgical music ever written, the group—Dan Schutte, Tim Manion and Jesuit Fathers Roc O’Connor, John Foley and Bob Dufford—has come together to produce Morning Light, a reunion collection of hope-filled songs for Sunday liturgies, funerals, retreats, prayer services and other celebrations.

Featuring 12 newly written songs, three by each member of the group (except Manion), this collection proves they still have it. They still have that uncanny ability to set Scripture-based texts to beautiful, accessible, innovative melodies that fit and enhance the liturgy—and touch the hearts of today’s worshipers.

But this is no copy of their previous work. Reflecting 20 years of spiritual and musical growth, these new compositions have a depth, maturity and humility that modern assemblies will appreciate. Of course, the world around them has also changed. Concerned for the “dark clouds” and discouragement they see, the group determined to write music filled with “the hope we have been called to.”

Suitable for gathering, preparation of the gifts, Communion, sending forth and other parts of the liturgy, the songs cover a variety of themes, including trust in the Lord, discipleship, light, hope, love and praise. Highlights include “Gather the People,” by Dan Schutte. A spirited, syncopated entrance hymn, it builds slowly toward a grand, full-choir finale that can’t help but draw the entire assembly—“the greatest and the least”—into full participation. Featuring gentle violin and acoustic guitar parts and based on a text by St. Augustine, “O Beauty, Ever Ancient,” by Roc O’Connor, challenges us to find renewal and “new life” in God.

“Behind and Before Me,” by Bob Dufford, is an exquisite setting of Psalm 139. Spiced with well-balanced parts for guitar, flutes, strings and choir, it reassures us of God’s intimacy—and recalls our limited ability to grasp it. Opening with a lovely prelude for trumpets, “Teach Us to Pray,” by John Foley, invokes the Holy Spirit’s help in prayer and all we do. Inspired by Romans 8, this simple hymn is a timely reminder that “all things work for good.”

Recorded with an excellent choir and impressive keyboard, wind, percussion and string accompaniment, the CD makes for inspirational and prayerful listening, besides being an excellent rehearsal tool. The composers take turns on lead vocals. Though not contributing to the composing effort, Tim Manion lends his familiar voice and plays guitar on nearly every song.

Just as sunlight in the morning dispels the darkness of night, so Morning Light uplifts and encourages—through both text and melody—offering hope in a sometimes dark and troubled world. Infused with the genius, faith and maturity of these legendary composers, it’s destined to be yet another in their long line of classic and best-selling collections. OCP Publications 2006
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In the early 1970s, some handwritten, mimeographed songs by a group of young Jesuits spread from a chapel in St. Louis to churches around the world. “Here I Am, Lord,” “Be Not Afraid,” and many others have become some of the most beloved songs for worship ever written. Now for the first time, The St. Louis Jesuits: Thirty Years tells the fascinating story behind the five men who became the St. Louis Jesuits and the music of hope that is their legacy.

Packed with dozens of color and black-and-white photographs, letters, interviews, and other memorabilia on high-quality, glossy paper, this beautifully designed coffee table book is an intimate portrait of the group. It’s also an intriguing overview of the post-conciliar American church. “We’ve all prayed with their music, and so we know the gift it offers,” writes Rev. Virgil Funk in the introduction. “With this book, we catch a glimpse of the composers and their texts, both then and now.”

Recently the group—Tim Manion, Dan Schutte and Jesuit Fathers Bob Dufford, John Foley and Roc O’Connor—came together again for the first time in 20 years to produce a reunion collection. The St. Louis Jesuits: Thirty Years documents the magic of their past and present collaboration—and the changing face of the church that has supported them through three decades. An excellent gift for pastoral musicians, the book will be of interest to all who have been touched by their music.

The book also features:

• Manuscripts of their first, hand-written compositions
• Nostalgic black-and-white photographs from their early days together
• Full-color photographs from their recent reunion and their work on Morning Light
• Reflections on and photographs from the recording sessions for all their albums
• Tributes and praise from well-known liturgical composers who were inspired by their music, including Bobby Fisher, Tom Kendzia, David Haas, and Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan
• A touching tribute to the late Ray Bruno, president and founder of North American Liturgy Resources (NALR), their first publisher
• Extensive interviews with all five members of the group, with questions ranging from “How did you become interested in music?” to “What’s the state of liturgical music today?”
• Letters of praise from then-Archbishop of San Francisco William Levada, now prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, and Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, superior general of the Society of Jesus.
  
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Guitar Accompaniment Book also available. Select from drop down menu after ordering.

This classic, seasonal collection is a complete anthology of music for Advent and Christmas.

Contents:
A Time Will Come for Singing
Children, Run Joyfully
Come Weal, Come Woe
Emmanuel
Exult, You Just Ones
Gentle Night
Just Begun
Let the Valleys Be Raised
Patience, People
The Beautiful Mother
The Lord Is Come
The People That Walk in Darkness
Wake from Your Sleep
Who Has Known
Winter, Cold Night

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Available in CD only.

A collection of praise and inspiration for our lives, rooted in the love of Christ.

Contents:

The Reign of God completes the exploration of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius that began with From East and West. It expresses themes of loss and hope and celebrates the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Glory of Christ.

Bob ministers to the spiritual journeys of adults, including many groups from Alcoholics Anonymous. His songs speak directly to people who are dealing with the major pains and joys of life. Some celebrate the End Times and Christ's Second Coming. Others deal with emotional losses and the painful longing for God, such as "Where Were You?," which was drawn from the Book of Job. The collection also includes a wedding song.

The Reign of God is a musically diverse set that includes everything from majestic, choral pieces for full orchestra to simple Psalm responses with minimal accompaniment.

Contents:
Breath of God
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
I Remember
Lord of Thunder
Love One Another
On the Day I Called
Reap with Joy
Sing and Wake the Dawn
Sing of Him
The Reign of God
We Are Your People, O Lord
Where Were You
Worthy Is the Lamb

Available in CD $16.95, & Songbook $11.00

Select CD, Singbook, or both: