Honorary Degree Recipient: The St. Louis Jesuits

Doctor of Music, Conferred on August 7, 2021

 

The five young men composing songs for Mass in the chapel at Saint Louis University’s Fusz Memorial Hall more than 50 years ago were not attempting to transform liturgical music. They merely wanted to create music rooted in Scripture that was more personal and accessible to the nuns and Jesuit scholastics who worshiped there.

The men, who were at various stages of their Jesuit formation, blended poetry, chant, classical music, Broadway showtunes, folk songs and rock ‘n’ roll to compose songs anyone could sing. And sing they did.

The number of worshippers outgrew the chapel within a year. Tickets were issued for the Easter Triduum to avoid violating fire department regulations. Lay people began filling the pews. Eventually, the St. Louis Jesuits, as they became known, and the Fusz chapel choir, now College Church Choir, were invited to sing at St. Francis Xavier College Church. The joyful noise spread from there.

The St. Louis Jesuits’ first collection of liturgical music, Neither Silver Nor Gold (1974), contained nearly 60 songs and sold millions. Between 1975 and 1986, the St. Louis Jesuits recorded several more albums, including their most popular, Earthen Vessels.

Liturgical pieces such as “This Alone,” “City of God,” “One Bread, One Body” and “Be Not Afraid,” became staples of contemporary worship. Their music appears in the missals and hymnals used in most of the nation’s 19,000 Catholic parishes and numerous Protestant churches.

“For me, there’s no greater thrill than hearing a group of people at worship singing a song I wrote,” said Dan Schutte (A&S ’72). “I look at their faces and watch them sing, not just with their tongues but with their hearts. It’s a way of connecting with God that is really humbling.”

Music and songs composed by Schutte, Bob Dufford, S.J. (A&S ’67, Grad ’72, ’75), John Foley, S.J. (A&S ’68, Grad ’68, ’74), Tim Manion (A&S ’76) and Robert “Roc” O’Connor, S.J. (A&S ’73), together with the late John Kavanaugh, S.J., have been translated into a dozen languages, including Russian, Croatian, Korean, Spanish, German and Finnish. Performers sang their music at President Ronald Reagan’s funeral and President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.

The St. Louis Jesuits attribute their success to changes brought about by Vatican II that allowed the use of vernacular in liturgy and called for the full participation of the people. Almost overnight, liturgy became connected with the human experience, and people were hungry for music to go with it. The St. Louis Jesuits flourished in this atmosphere of optimism.

Considered the “fathers of contemporary liturgical music,” the St. Louis Jesuits eventually went their separate ways to pursue different vocations, graduate studies and solo endeavors. Though they do not tour, the St. Louis Jesuits have reunited several times for special events. They led the SLU family in song at the University’s bicentennial finale celebration at Chaifetz Arena in 2018, and they performed before a sold-out crowd at Powell Symphony Hall in 2019.

For offering hope, for inspiring worship and for raising voices, the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa, will be conferred upon the St. Louis Jesuits, Bob Dufford, S.J., John Foley, S.J., Tim Manion, Robert “Roc” O’Connor, S.J., and Dan Schutte.