'Roc' to explain rock'n'roll power of liturgical music
Amber Alarid, Staff Reporter
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
|
Fr. O'Connor was part of a group deemed the "St. Louis Jesuits," which consisted of five Jesuits devoted to modernizing liturgical music after Vatican II. Kathy McGovern, fellow liturgical musician and scripture teacher here in Denver, calls the St. Louis Jesuits "the breath of fresh air that Vatican 2 promised;" she credits them with "providing the soundtrack" to her scripture experience.
The group popularized liturgical compositions that incorporated mainly guitar and singing. Today, Fr. O'Connor teaches at Creighton University with several Masters degrees in theology, and honorary doctorates from both the University of Scranton and Creighton University. After an extended hiatus of over 20 years, the group released another album entitled "Morning Light" in 2006.
The St. Louis Jesuits modeled their music after earlier songs based on Bible verses and passionate music; but, after Vatican II, songwriters like the St. Louis Jesuits used this method as a springboard for creating new music that inspires an entire community to sing and dance.
After reading an article on "The Theology of Dance," O'Connor was inspired by the "thought that music resonates in the body and consciousness of a person that has to somehow get expressed in movement." He wants to have a similar effect on people, "I want my music to move people... Possibly to dance, to tap their toe, to be moved to their feet, and to be moved to their depths."
To those with a love of music and to those who perform Fr. O'Connor's songs, such as Grace Brock, choir director for the Regis Chapel, he gives the advice, "I can recommend all these things - tempo, volume, and texture - but I'd ask musicians to learn to listen within their hearts to know and express what is true in the song.".
Brock describes the songs written by the St. Louis Jesuits as "part of the Catholic mass consciousness," in that they are a "standard any musician worth his salt knows it without the music."
In fact, Brock described a scene in which she was unable, due to time constraints, to practice "Be Not Afraid" before the choir performed in church; yet she was confident that the song was so familiar to people that performing it would be seamless. Brock attributes this familiarity to the sense of "community" that songs like "Be Not Afraid" provide church goers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Mike Hendricks
posted 2/05/08 @ 2:33 PM MST
God's awe and wonder are keenly blended into many of Father Roc's songs. His contributions to modern Catholic litrugical music are truly special.
Patrick Dawson
posted 2/05/08 @ 8:20 PM MST
Father Roc and the St. Louis Jesuits were the key inspiration to my many musical compositions and Mass that have begun circulating around the Denver Diocese and other national Dioceses. (Continued…)
Post a Comment