Seminarians share faith stories in Lenten podcasts

CJM Music and the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham have released a series of freely downloadable musical podcasts to guide worshippers through Lent and into the Easter Season.

In this year, which has been dedicated by Pope Benedict to St Paul, they take a closer look at Paul’s writings and the context in which they were written. They begin by looking at the dramatic conversion of St Paul and the conversion that is necessary in each of our lives.

This year there will be two different types of podcast. The first contains scripture readings and meditations written by the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, and read for us by some of the students studying for the priesthood at Oscott College. They are intended to help Christians reconnect with the spirituality of Lent and create for us a space in which we can contemplate and pray.

The second type will be more informal as we hear the same students reflecting on how they heard God’s call in their lives and the ‘conversion moments’ that led them to want to serve the church as priests, as well as their own personal reflections on the Lenten readings.

Each of the podcasts will feature music from Joanne Boyce and Mike Stanley of CJM Music including tracks from their best-selling ‘Age to Age’ albums.

"Lent is a time of conversion," suggests Archbishop Nichols. "During these weeks, my hope is that these recordings along with the prayer booklets will help us renew our faith, come to a fresh acceptance of the presence of Jesus in our lives and renew in us a readiness to be one with him in all things."

These podcasts which have been produced by CJM Music are available from their website www.cjmmusic.co.uk/liturgy/walkwithme or via iTunes under the title ‘Walk with Me – a journey of prayer’