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.
We Remember
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To your death
And still we celebrate
For you are with us here
And we believe that we will see you
When you come
In your glory Lord
We remember, we celebrate, we believe
Here a million wounded souls
Are yearning just to touch you and be healed
Gather all your people and hold them in your heart
We remember how you loved us
To your death
And still we celebrate
For you are with us here
And we believe that we will see you
When you come
In your glory Lord
We remember, we celebrate, we believe
Now we recreate your love
We bring the bread and wine to share a meal
Sign of grace and mercy
The presence of the Lord
We remember how you loved us
To your death
And still we celebrate
For you are with us here
And we believe that we will see you
When you come
In your glory Lord
We remember, we celebrate, we believe
We remember, we celebrate, we believe
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song We Remember are a powerful statement of faith and remembrance. The song speaks of the love of God, and how that love was shown to humanity in the death of Jesus. The opening verse declares "We remember how you loved us to your death," reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity. Despite the somber tone of this declaration, the chorus of the song brings a sense of celebration and joy, acknowledging that Jesus is still with us in the present moment and that we will see him again in his glory.
The second verse speaks of the present state of humanity. "Here a million wounded souls are yearning just to touch you and be healed," acknowledges the brokenness of our world and the longing for the healing touch of Jesus. The verse goes on to imagine Jesus gathering his people and holding them in his heart.
The final verse speaks to the way that we as Christians continue to embody and share the love of Jesus in the world. "Now we recreate your love, we bring the bread and wine to share a meal," speaks of the Eucharist and the way that we share in the presence of the Lord. The verse goes on to say that this sharing is a "sign of grace and mercy." The song concludes with a triumphant declaration of faith: "We remember, we celebrate, we believe."
Line by Line Meaning
We remember how you loved us
We recall the depth of your love towards us
To your death
Your love was such that you gave your life for us
And still we celebrate
We rejoice and honour the gift of your love even today
For you are with us here
We feel your presence among us
And we believe that we will see you
We have faith that we will behold you
When you come
When you return
In your glory Lord
In all your holy and majestic splendour
Here a million wounded souls
Countless hurting spirits
Are yearning just to touch you and be healed
Desire to reach out and receive your divine healing
Gather all your people and hold them in your heart
Draw all your followers close and embrace them with your love
Now we recreate your love
We express your love anew
We bring the bread and wine to share a meal
We bring forth the bread and wine to partake in the communion
Sign of grace and mercy
Symbol of your unmerited favour and compassion
The presence of the Lord
Your holy spirit among us
We remember, we celebrate, we believe
We commemorate, we exult, we have faith.
Contributed by Grace W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.