The Recovering Choir Director

Dr. Renoux is right. “Make Me an Instrument” was not written by St. Francis.

I’d almost say, Thank God - but to qualify before I strike: The prayer may be good recited privately, but sung in choir during liturgy is another story. The words feel too personal for use in public worship. And Sebastian Temple’s music is too mediocre/cloying for my taste - but that’s just me.

As cantor in a Franciscan church, I try to introduce other more authentic prayers of St. Francis set to music: “In Perfect Charity” by Randall DeBruyn; “Canticle of the Sun,” by Marty Haugen, and my favorites - Rufino Zaragosa’s “Sacred Creation,” and “My God and My All.”

There’s also an unpublished work composed by Laura Reyes that we use in our Church, called “Christmas Prayer of St. Francis.” You’ve got to hear it to believe!

Pax et bonum,

Yeah, just off the top of my head I can think of at least two different settings for the prayer, and neither of them use the word “instrument” so I’m guessing Marie was thinking of a third. (I don’t have my hymnal with me, so I’m not sure who set them.) I rather like them, actually…