Dear Eileen,
Here is my testimony how your music has had such an impact on my conversion process into the Catholic Church.
I would like to take this opportunity to share my story how Eileen Carr's music has affected my life. Let me begin with a little background. About 2 years ago I was on a spiritual Journey into the Catholic Church. I had been a Born Again Evangelical Protestant for 10 years. I was brought up in a Protestant home but not "Born Again" type. We went to church every Sunday and my parents were active participants but the faith was never discussed much at home even though the example was definitely there. Parents cannot assume their kids are soaking it all in. I wasn't. I fell away from practicing any faith for 22 years. At age 40 I had a religious experience of being changed in a split second from a skeptic to a total believer. It was a gift from the Holy Spirit. I studied the Bible for the next 10 years and heard marvelous preaching and was quite certain that I had the rare privilege of knowing the truth. But God had more in store.
It started with EWTN, the teaching of Eucharist, the early Church Fathers, the Catechism and full circle to the Bible with new light on passages such as John 6. After at least 6 months of secret study, I had decided that I would slowly drop out of activities and off committees and gradually leave the Protestant church. Just slip away, I thought would be the best thing. Then Eileen Carr's music came into my life. I had bought her CD at Something More Christian Store because I had an overwhelming desire for a recording of the Ave Maria that Christmas. I think it had something to do with the old hand-made rosary I had picked up for $4 at an antique shop in October while on a women's retreat. I had never heard any traditional Latin Hymns before and I was completely astounded by the beauty of her voice, the words, and the music. Even though I understood nothing literally, it spoke "in tongues" to my soul and it became urgent that I enter the sacramental life. Well, right after Christmas I called St. Luke and found out that I had to go through RCIA to enter the Church so I contacted the leader and was allowed to join the program even though it was 1/2 way through. I entered the church in April 2000. The timing of the gift of Eileen's music spared me a lot of grief. I would have been miserable waiting until 2001.
I have listened to Eileens's CD hundreds of times. It is so beautiful. I think cradle Catholics take so much for granted and some even are hostile to Latin, the "dead language". But I say it transcends time and is very much alive, speaking mysteriously to the heart. It has the power of conversion. It certainly took me off the fence.
I think this music will be very popular someday with young people. It will be new and different for them just like it was for me. I'd like to know one convert who does not love Latin. It simply is the sacred laguage of the Universal Church.
Thank you, Eileen, for coming to St. Luck to perform. I thank you as does the Christian Formation Committee. You were magnificient.
Warm regards, in Christ,
