More than fifty-five years ago, a seventeen-year-old girl entered a
religious community called Medical Mission Sisters, hoping to become a
doctor and serve in a faraway land. That was not to be, because the Spirit
of God had other plans. Her ministries took various forms, but it was her
gift of song that would heal more people around the world than she could
ever have imagined.
Many of the several hundred songs composed by Sister Miriam Therese Winter
were professionally recorded by an ensemble of Medical Mission Sisters. In
1967 those Sisters were invited to appear at Carnegie Hall in a concert
featuring the premier performance of their new folk Mass. Their music was
a response to the Vatican Council’s restoration of the people’s song and
became an agent of change within and beyond the church. Spirit inspired
songs that Sister Miriam Therese continues to sing are rooted in what she
calls the liturgy of life and are thereby inherently sacred. Communities
of faith from diverse traditions worldwide would say amen.
In anticipation of celebrating Sister Miriam Therese’s 75th birthday, we
felt called to ask professional musicians to re-record many of her sacred
folk songs. The selfless responses of numerous musical celebrities giving
freely of their time and talent has been overwhelming. This was the sign
The Institute was looking for. This was not just another project. This was
the work of God.
The artists are sharing their gifts because they believe in
acknowledging
and helping thosewho are in need.
ALL proceeds from the sale of the recordings
will go to support the global healing ministries of the Medical Mission Sisters, who serve people of all cultures, all religious traditions, especially the poorest of the poor in seventeen countries on six continents.
We hope that you will also feel called to support this inspired project.
The glory will not go to you, to us, or even to the Sisters, but entirely
to God who, through your generosity, is making it happen.
Blessings with gratitude,