The Mystery of the St. Louis Jesuits

Earlier this year, the OCP released a coffee-table book of appreciation for the St. Louis Jesuits. It was designed to commemorate their coming together again on their 30th anniversary.

I found it completely fascinating. It is revealing concerning the time and place in which they became the Catholics own "Beatles"-style group whose music swept through the liturgical life of American Catholics. Each member was interviewed at length about their own personal histories as musicians. It is an oddly unguarded book, edited as if no reader would be even slightly skeptical concerning the wave of enthusiasm they rode to fame.

In any case, the book prompted this essay that appears in the Fall 2006 issue of Sacred Music.

(P.S. This is a repost to eliminate excess comment rancor)