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St. Louis Jesuits

 

            To young ears, the St. Louis Jesuits might sound like some boring theological group---a conference perhaps.  But with old ears like mine, just perhaps you recall a group of guys who sang contemporary music that was used in church services, but also gain momentum in many non-church venues.  They were one of the favorite groups of mine because of the lyrics they wrote and the melodic way they sang this kind of music.  Many of us in the 60s and 70s would have called it folk music.  I have not thought about the St. Louis Jesuits for a long time.

            And then I hit upon an article that headlined this group recently heading for their last concert after forty-five years.  I began reading the article by Jeannette Cooperman with relish.  The article opened with an interesting story.  Bob Dufford, priest, was awakened from a sound sleep to learn that on the morning of Bill Clinton’s first presidential inauguration, the groups’ song, “Be Not Afraid,” would be used.  I loved that song/hymn.

            Some of the words immediately came to mind.  “You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.  You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way.”  The story continued to narrate how Dufford had struggled with the lyrics of the piece.  As Cooperman shares the story, we learn, “A fellow member of The St. Louis Jesuits, Jesuit Fr. John Foley, had said at one point, ‘I think this could be an important song.  But it's not you shall cross the desert, it's you shall cross the desert.’  For the melody's convenience, the emphasis was falling on the wrong word.”  As a lover of language, I appreciate this point.  Sometimes it does make a different which word to emphasize.

            The other point in this little story is originally desert had no modifier.  The song simply said, you shall cross the desert.  Certainly, there is nothing wrong with that.  It is clear; it makes sense.  But Dufford knew something else was needed.  He was on the prowl for a two syllable adjective!  He thought about “sandy” and “salty.”  I am glad he did not choose either one of those.  Then he landed on “barren.”  And it is amazing how much that adjective adds to the idea of a desert and to the hearing and singing of the hymn.  Powerful…

            We are told their first album appeared in 1974.  I learned so much more as I continued to read.  I was amazed to learn they have written 571 songs.  I liked learning about the history of the group.  They all appeared in St. Louis in the 70s for study toward ordination in the Jesuit order.  Vatican II was only a decade old.  That phenomenal Catholic gathering literally changed the Catholic Church that all of us knew---for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  Even as a non-Catholic, Vatican II had a formative effect on me. 

            Vatican II dictated that Mass be said in the vernacular---English in my case.  And new songs were needed to fit the time of the 60s and 70s.  And so those priests-to-be set out to write contemporary, meaningful hymns.  I would say their music became a way to express the gospel and to do vocal ministry.  It was effective.  I still find it speaks to me.

            One of the things I like is to know how they combined the studies they were doing to be ordained with the desire to let this academic material become part of the message for the larger church.  They took ideas from theology classes and Bible classes and worked their magic.  They found a way to address their times.  Cooperman describes their effort and effect this way.  “There was gentle reassurance and compassion, exhilaration and joy, doubt and search, intimacy and humility and reverence — all of it set to melodies that were musically sophisticated, yet singable.”  That is still true for me today.

            We get a feel for this if we look at the fourth stanza of “Be Not Afraid.”  “If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.  If you walk amidst the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.”  When you think about life and all its ups and downs, this hymn offers the solace and encouragement not to get totally down.  Have hope.  A couple recurring stanzas articulate the hope.  “Be not afraid, I go before you always.  Come follow Me, and I shall give you rest.”

            I can hear the music for these words.  I am still touched and encouraged by their promise and the hope.  I am grateful for the St. Louis Jesuits for this gift that keeps on giving.  I could probably write something on a large number of their hymns.  I am sure I like it, in part, because of the music---the pace, tone, etc.  But I also like it for their theology.  No doubt, it works well because their theology is probably close to my own. 

            But I am most grateful for the ministry their music and words provide.  I am assured that I don’t have to be afraid.  At times in life, that seems unbelievable.  I am comforted knowing that God does go before us always.  I know my faith is tested at times, but my hope is their line does not lie.

            Thanks my Jesuit friends. 

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