John Michael Talbot releases album, book duo

Publication, album designed to inform Catholics during National Eucharistic Revival

Published: October 23, 2023

By Katie Zakrzewski
Associate Editor

Courtesy Brother John-Marmion Villa

John Michael Talbot, founder of the Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, plays music during the hermitage’s 45th anniversary Mass as part of the celebration’s festivities.

Courtesy Brother John-Marmion Villa

John Michael Talbot, founder of the Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, plays music during the hermitage’s 45th anniversary Mass as part of the celebration’s festivities.

As the Catholic Church in the U.S. celebrates the National Eucharistic Revival, Christian music pioneer John Michael Talbot is contributing to the movement with a new book and companion album.

Talbot’s new book, “The Lord’s Supper: A Eucharistic Revival” and his new album “Adoration” are designed to help readers and listeners spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist.

“I was asked by (Auxiliary) Bishop Gary Janak in San Antonio … to go throughout the archdiocese and do presentations on the Eucharistic revival,” Talbot said. “And I decided to write a book to go along with that.”

Bishop Janak described the book as “concise, yet profound and informative.”

“Encouraged by the author to read the book as a spiritual retreat while participating in Mass and focusing on a particular aspect of the liturgical celebration, we are invited to join him in a reawakening of God’s gift to the world — the body and blood of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Janak wrote in his endorsement of the book-album duo.

Talbot is a best-selling author, as well as a Grammy and Dove award-winning, multi-platinum selling musician. A monk who founded The Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Talbot also founded the Little Portion Hermitage in the Ozark Mountains in Berryville.

Often called the “Troubadour for the Lord,” Talbot has written some of the best known music regularly used at Mass, including recognizable songs such as “Psalm 62,” “My Yoke Is Easy,” and “Every Knee Will Bend.” Many of Talbot's books expand on religious teachings, music and the ways of monastic life, and can also be read in parish groups.

“I found that many of us are just sleepwalking through the Mass, but all the parts are there and they’re just beautiful and they’re rich if we would milk the Mass for everything that’s there,” Talbot said.

Talbot said a health crisis seven years ago deepened his understanding of God’s forgiveness and the importance of the Mass as a whole.

“When I went back, all I could do was weep,” Talbot said. “I spent a lot of time in holy tears. … And when I got well enough to go back to Mass, it’s like it exploded … it’s like the roof of the church peeled back and heaven poured in … writing (“The Lord’s Supper: A Eucharistic Revival”) very much came out of that experience.”

Additionally, Talbot has created a three-part video series of what he has presented during limited personal appearances around the theme of Eucharistic Revival at his Inner Room School of Spirituality. These videos include music with guided meditations, teachings and Eucharistic Adoration from his Little Portion Monastery.

Talbot is also preparing to release another book and album duo next year titled “Late Have I Loved You: The Journey Continues.” The book, his 38th publication, is Talbot’s autobiography. The accompanying album will be Talbot’s 58th, featuring award-winning orchestral arranger Phil Perkins.

“I really thought after the Eucharistic Revival (book and album), ‘OK, I’m finished,’” Talbot said. “But out of nowhere I wrote a couple more songs, and then people were telling me that I need to update my story, because a lot has happened since the end of my (last) biography.”

The “Late Have I Loved You” album is an extended play album with 30 minutes of Talbot’s music and orchestral accompaniment.

“In terms of sound, I think it’s a step above anything I’ve ever done,” Talbot said. “I’m really very pleased.”

Talbot hopes to release the new book and album in time for Lent in 2024.