Fr. Mark Baumgarten, from the Archdiocese of Perth, in Australia's west coast, is sending shock waves through the Internet with his song, 'This Is What I've Always Wanted.â?
This Aussie priest has been a keen musician since he was very young, when he played as a background pianist in river cruises. Later in his life, he found his vocation, but it never interfered with his passion.
FR. MARK BAUMGARTEN
'Upon entering seminary I was able to keep the connection with music going, and it remained an outlet for the various joys and struggles of seminary life, and I got a chance to be part of a pretty decent seminary band.â?
Fr. Mark wrote this song to help him overcome his doubts when he was trying to discern his vocation. He found that music was an unexpectedly soothing solution.
FR. MARK BAUMGARTEN
'Well, we seem to be hard wired to respond to music, the way it stimulates the brain, brings back memories and so forth. People are brought to tears in the presence of beautiful music, probably more than any other context, and it has a way of speaking to the deeper truths of life that mere prose can sometimes struggle to communicate. Now, a lot of music touches the emotions and goes no further, but truly inspired music has the capacity not only to lift our spirits, but also to prepares us to receive faith.â?
That is indeed what Fr. Mark is looking to achieve with his music. He has not pretense of fame, but rather he wants his song to help other young men who are going through tough times when making such a hard decision in their lives.
FR. MARK BAUMGARTEN
'My hope is that the song will maybe reach other young people who are trying to discern what the Lord is asking of them in their life. Obviously, no two paths to the priesthood are identical, but there are some commonalities. So if the song resonates to young men who think they might be being called, and it gives them something of the consolation that it gave me, then all I can say is praise God.â?
The title of the song, 'This Is What I've Always Wanted,â? summarizes Fr. Mark's experience of faith: sometimes God asks unexpected and difficult things, but in the end, the pieces come together.
AG
-Perth Vocations/Fr. Mark Baumgarten
FL
-PR
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