Jamie Biller

Shrine in Santiago de Atitlan

For those of you who have never been to Guatemala, or are just curious as to what the church, town and shrine to Fr. Rother looks like, you can check out these wonderful photos!  I was so fortunate to receive these photos from Amy Aiken.  Amy’s grandmother was a good friend of Fr. Rother’s who worked with him while on mission trips she made to Guatemala.  Amy made the trip to Santiago de Atitlan to retrace her grandmother’s footsteps from many years before and has graciously shared her pictures with us!  I am so happy to have her permission to share them!   Thank you Amy so much!!!! 

The photos are on the Flickr stream, or you can go directly by following the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiebiller/sets/72157626221310134/

Be Thou My Vision – A Hymn Story

In choosing songs for my latest album, “The Shepherd Cannot Run”, I tried to pick songs relative to the spirit of Father Rother’s life, as well as, those hymns that have a rich history in longevity and timeless appeal.  When I looked at the hymn, Be Thou My Vision, the words spoke to me.  I thought they were so beautiful!  I’ve attached a written history about the song you may find interesting!

From: “Center for Church Music Songs and Hymns

Be Thou My Vision Hymn Story:

With its heartfelt poetry and moving melody, “Be Thou My Vision” beautifully expresses the desires of the Christian heart. Though its popularity rose only in the past fifty years or so, the hymn actually has a rich history dating back to the eighth century.

Between the years of 400 and 700 AD the Irish people lived out a passionate faith in Christ. Ireland took up the missionary endeavor with excitement, and the country became known for its all-absorbing efforts to share Christianity throughout the world. Irish missionaries were found from Scotland to Switzerland, spreading the Good News wherever they went.

Some scholars believe that the words to the hymn are the product of a man known simply as St. Patrick. Patrick was born in A.D. 373 along the banks of the River Clyde in what is now called Scotland. When he was 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. There he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He eventually escaped, but he never forgot this experience and when he was about 30 he returned to his former captors with only one possession: the Latin Bible. History tells us that St. Patrick was the man most responsible for the Good News of Christ coming to Ireland. As a result of his preaching, over 200 churches were established and 100,000 converts were baptized.

“Be Thou My Vision” undoubtedly comes from this spiritually rich period. Its prominent theme encourages single-hearted focus and devotion to Christ. In the hymn lyrics, the poet expresses his adoration of God through the many titles he gives him: Vision, Wisdom, Word, Great Father, Power, Inheritance, High King of heaven, Treasure, bright heaven’s Sun, Ruler of all.

Today, we continue to sing the words of this hymn, echoing the poet’s response to God’s many titles. “Thou my best thought, Thy presence my light.”

Father Rother Documentary

I just had the opportunity of viewing an amazing documentary made about Father Stanley Rother.  The movie is called A’plas and was directed by Diego Colombi.  Check it out at http://www.dcolombi.com/Aplas

The word A’plas is the name for Francis the people of Santiago Atitlan used since they had no word for Stanley.  They referred to Father as Padre A’plas.  The movie gives an excellent political overview of how the people of Atitlan were caught in the middle of the country’s most violent and longest-lasting civil war.

Singing at School!

From the El Reno Tribune; Feed My Sheep, Tend My Lambs

Jamie Biller gave a moving performance at Sacred Heart Catholic School Thursday morning while performing her song “The Shepherd Cannot Run” . Jamie wrote and recorded this song about Father Stanley Rother of Okarche. The title of the song “The Shepherd Cannot Run” comes from a letter Father Rother sent during the Christmas Holidays to the Oklahoma City Archdiocese where he declared “A Shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” Father Rother was aware of the danger of him remaining in Guatemala, but wanted to stay to tend to his flock. Students at Sacred Heart sat in awe and wonder and sang the chorus “Feed My Sheep, Tend my Lambs” with her.

Jamie said, “I had the song on my mind for about two years, but finally finished it in about a day in a half this summer.” She recently traveled to Nashville to record it professionally and the song will be available for download later this year. Currently the song can be heard on the Oklahoma City Archdiocesan website on a page dedicated to the Beautification of Father Rother.

Smiling, Smiling, Smiling

So went for a photo shoot for the new album and lovely pictures you’ll be seeing on the site!   Can I just say that my photographer is AMAZING!  Of course, not only, am I so lucky and blessed to have her as my niece, but also the fact that she would generously share her talent with me!  She captured items of Fr. Rother’s in words I cannot describe.  Her pictures speak for themselves.  So if you are in need of a great photographer, don’t hesitate to contact her.  http://clients.sarahwarmker.com/

The Shepherd Cannot Run

I am so excited to have my new album, The Shepherd Cannot Run recorded!  The finishing touches are happening and if all goes well, it should be available by mid-December!   The title of the album is from a new song I wrote in honor of Fr. Stanley Rother.  Currently his cause for canonization for sainthood in the Catholic church is being considered in Rome.  I have more information about him on the Fr. Rother page.  I have also included on the album some traditional hymns with a more contemporary sound.  Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing and Be Thou My Vision are a few examples of some of the tunes I selected.  Hope everyone will enjoy it!