Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Evening Canticle
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior
For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant
From this day all generations will call me blessed
The Almighty has done great things for me
And holy is his Name
In every generation
He has shown the strength of his arm
He has scattered the proud in their conceit
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
And has lifted up the lowly
He has filled the hungry with good things
And the rich he has sent away empty
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
For he has remembered his promise of mercy
The promise he made to our fathers
To Abraham and his children for ever
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever
Amen
The Evening Canticle is a song that describes the singer's praise and gratitude for God's mercy and blessings. The singer's soul proclaims the greatness of God and rejoices in Him for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. The song shows how God shows great mercy to those who fear him in every generation. He has shown strength by scattering the proud and casting down the mighty from their thrones. He lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. The song brings to light the promise of mercy that God made to our fathers and to Abraham and his children forever.
The song expresses how God's mercy and power are unrestrained by worldly power and stature. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the lowly and humble, showing how God favors those who fear and trust in Him. The Evening Canticle is a beautiful proclamation of God's mercy in our lives and how He lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. It is a reminder to us that we need to trust in God and praise Him for His blessings.
Line by Line Meaning
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My innermost being declares the magnificence of the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior
My innermost being is delighted by God my Savior.
For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant
He has favored his humble servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed
From this moment on, all future generations will consider me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me
The all-powerful God has done remarkable things for me.
And holy is his Name
His name is sacred.
He has mercy on those who fear him
He shows compassion to those who respect him.
In every generation
Throughout every era.
He has shown the strength of his arm
He has demonstrated his power.
He has scattered the proud in their conceit
He has dispersed the egotistical.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
He has overthrown those who were once powerful.
And has lifted up the lowly
And has elevated the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
He has supplied the needy with blessings.
And the rich he has sent away empty
And he has sent the wealthy away empty-handed.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
He has come to aid his servant Israel.
For he has remembered his promise of mercy
Because he has kept his promise of compassion.
The promise he made to our fathers
The covenant he made with our ancestors.
To Abraham and his children for ever
To Abraham and his offspring forever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
Praise to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever
As it was in the beginning, it is now, and it will be forever.
Amen
So be it.
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Cameron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.