A new hymn/anthem

Sometimes this fall, the choir will sing a new hymn I wrote that was commissioned by The Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa in honor of the Blessed Mother Marie-Rose Durocher, Foundress of The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (Soeurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie). I wrote the words & the music. I used the favorite biblical text of Marie-Rose as the reference upon which my poem is based, along with the mission statements of the school and the order of the Sisters.

Here’s the words:
Fire of Justice, Fire of Love
Scriptural reference: “I have come to cast fire on the Earth,
and how I wish it were already kindled.” LUKE 12:49

CHORUS
Fire of justice,
Fire of love,
In my heart, be burning bright.
Fire of service,
Fire of truth,
May the world now be alight.

VERSE 1
And as God’s Love inflames our hearts,
may we be kindling for that fire.
For to the earth God’s truth imparts
those acts that service does require.

CHORUS

VERSE 2
Now may our learning banish hate,
and may our love extinguish fear,
for justice does God’s Love equate,
and to that guidance we adhere.

CHORUS

VERSE 3
Impov’rished and abandoned they
who live upon society’s edge
shall have their needs be met this day.
To God we make this solemn pledge.

CHORUS

VERSE 4
As gracious and accepting we
give gen’rously of time and gift,
that we a welcome presence be.
No truer purpose does exist.

CHORUS

The score for the hymn is below and HERE is a link to a computer simulation of an anthem for treble voices based on the hymn. (No, computers aren’t smart enough yet to sing the words, so the children’s chorus in the simulation just sings “ahhhh…”) Click on the images below for larger views.