Saturday Song: Eternal Life

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Saturdays we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are submitted by parishioners and friends of Christ Church, and meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire.

We hope that you enjoy.

Eternal Life

The Prayer, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and set to music by Olive Dungan, is a powerful statement of personal spiritual ministry with the desire to be an instrument of peace. The words define attributes sorely needed in today’s world.

Having completed a degree in classical music with decades of private vocal study as a mezzo-soprano and having had careers as a speech/language pathologist and professional church soloist, Eternal Life by Olive Dungan is one of my favorite sacred classical pieces. The music captures the meaning of the words with dramatic crescendos and cadences. But I am always deeply moved by the ending which asserts that in dying we have the blessed assurance of Eternal Life!

I, too, hope to record this beautiful, meaningful sacred classic.

A Prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi

Set to Music by Olive Dungan

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pard’ning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Please enjoy these wonderful performances, as well:

Submitted by Pamela Irene Brown