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.
The Praises Of The Virtues
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your sister humility
Holy poverty, God keep you
With your sister simplicity
Lady love, God save you
With your sister obedience
No man can live in virtue
Lady love, God save you
With your sister obedience
No man can know resurrection
Without dying with Jesus
In the song "The Praises of the Virtues" by John Michael Talbot, the singer begins by addressing and honoring wisdom, personified as a queen. Wisdom is revered and prayed for salvation, showcasing its importance in guiding and enlightening individuals. The mention of wisdom in association with humility emphasizes the idea that true wisdom comes from a place of humility, where one is willing to learn and grow. The incorporation of sisterhood among virtues like humility, poverty, and simplicity signifies the interconnectedness of these values in leading a virtuous life.
Next, the lyrics highlight the virtue of holy poverty and its relationship with simplicity. Poverty here is likely understood not simply as lacking material possessions but also as a state of humility and detachment from worldly desires. This section conveys a prayer for God to safeguard the virtue of poverty alongside simplicity, suggesting that these qualities play a crucial role in the spiritual journey and are worthy of protection and nurturing.
The song then shifts focus to lady love and her sister obedience, indicating a reverence for love as a guiding force in life. The association of love with obedience suggests a form of devotion and commitment, where love is not just a feeling but also an action that requires obedience and sacrifice. The idea that no one can live virtuously without surrendering their self-centered desires aligns with the notion that true virtue demands selflessness and a willingness to let go of personal ambitions for the greater good.
The closing lines of the song underscore the importance of obedience in relation to love. The repetition of the phrase "Lady love, God save you / With your sister obedience" reinforces the significance of obedience in living out a life of love and virtue. The final lines poignantly express the connection between resurrection and dying with Jesus, suggesting that true rebirth and transformation can only occur through a process of self-denial and alignment with spiritual truths. Ultimately, the lyrics emphasize the paradoxical nature of virtue, wherein true life and resurrection are found through the willingness to let go of the ego and fully surrender to a higher purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Hail, queen wisdom, God save you
Greetings to the ruler of wisdom, may God protect you
With your sister humility
In the company of humility
Holy poverty, God keep you
Divine poverty, may God watch over you
With your sister simplicity
In the presence of simplicity
Lady love, God save you
Dear love, may God save you
With your sister obedience
In the companionship of obedience
No man can live in virtue
No person can truly embody virtue
Without dying unto himself
Without surrendering their selfish desires
No man can know resurrection
No person can experience rebirth
Without dying with Jesus
Without undergoing a transformation similar to Jesus' sacrifice
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Zoe L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.