Mass for unborn is journey through Scripture, says composer

Published: 2004-01-22

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- "My deepest vocation," spiritual writer Henri Nouwen said, "is to be a witness to the glimpses of God I have been allowed to catch." The late writer, like many artists, tried to give voice to the mysteries of God's love, mercy and forgiveness for humanity. Few contemporary issues are as sorrowful and as contentious as abortion, and when musician John Bonaduce set out to compose a prayer service to remember the unborn, he too tried to catch -- through music -- glimpses of God's voice and healing breath in this issue. Over 10 years the prayer service developed into a Mass, named the "Shantigarh Requiem for the Unborn," which Cardinal Roger M. Mahony was scheduled to celebrate Jan. 23 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. The liturgy is a journey through Scripture. The first words sung by the choir of more than 100 singers are from the Book of Wisdom: "Before the Lord, the whole universe is as a grain or a drop of morning dew. And though we are small, his love is great, for he is Lord and lover of souls." Bonaduce said those words struck him as a perfect memorial for the unborn.

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