John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer… Read Full Bio ↴John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer-songwriter-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity

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.

Salve Regina
John Michael Talbot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Salve, Regina
Mater misericordiæ
Vita, dulcedo
Et spes nostra, salve
Ad te clamamus
Exsules filii Hevæ
Ad te suspiramus
Gementes et flentes

In hac lacrimarum valle

Eia, ergo
Advocata nostra
Illos tuos misericordes oculos
Ad nos converte
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui
Nobis post hoc exsilium ostende
O clemens
O pia

O dulcis
Virgo Maria

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song Salve Regina are a hymn that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, asking for her compassion and mercy. The first verse calls Mary the "Mother of Mercy," and "our life, sweetness, and hope." The second verse implores Mary, whom the song refers to as our "advocate," to look upon those who call upon her and to show us the blessed fruit of her womb, Jesus, after our time of exile is over. The final verse of the song refers to Mary as "clement" (merciful), "pia" (pious), and "dulcis" (sweet).

Overall, the song's lyrics celebrate the poet's belief in the power of Mary as a spiritual figure who is able to intercede on behalf of humanity, asking for her to show mercy and compassion to all who suffer in this world. It also suggests that through her son, Jesus, she is able to show us a way out of the suffering and despair that we may encounter.

Line by Line Meaning

Salve, Regina
Greetings, Mary, the Queen

Mater misericordiæ
Mother of Mercy

Vita, dulcedo
Life, sweetness

Et spes nostra, salve
And our hope, greet us

Ad te clamamus
We call upon you

Exsules filii Hevæ
Exiled children of Eve

Ad te suspiramus
We sigh to you

Gementes et flentes
Groaning and weeping

In hac lacrimarum valle
In this valley of tears

Eia, ergo
Come, therefore

Advocata nostra
Our advocate