Taizé is a beautiful source of music, prayer, unity and community that it seems so right to explore the depth behind our human experience with it, as fellow pastoral musicians.

And so this month Ministry Monday offers a 3-part series about Taizé music. We begin the series with reflections by David Anderson, Editor-at-Large for GIA Publications and Director of Music and Liturgy at Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park, Illinois.

David has visited Taizé, France, several times, and has led monthly Taizé services for years in his parish. He reflects about the depth and beauty of Taizé and how you can implement its music and spirituality in your parish.

Today on the episode we stop to honor our Blessed Mother. This episode aired in May 2020 as part of a series called “The Faces of Mary”. This week’s episode from the series focuses on Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, two of the ways we celebrate and honor Mary, our Mother. It is a staff favorite, and we hope you enjoy!

Today on the episode I speak with Fr. James Martin. Fr. Martin is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America Media, consultor to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication and author of many books including the topic of today, Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. Fr. Jim not only discusses the many ways to pray, for those who are just beginning and for those who already feel a deep connection through prayer, but he also addresses the unique challenges and rewards that we, as pastoral musicians, experience. Not only that, he was gracious enough to end the interview with prayer for all who tune in!