The Catholic Church designates October as the month of the Rosary, and Father Dave welcomes Grammy-nominated musician Laura Huval to discuss her latest project, “Sing the Rosary.” Laura’s new free album takes the prayers of the Rosary and sets them to music.
Laura explains what inspired her album. “It was through a friend who was a newly ordained deacon,” she begins. “He sent me a message saying, ‘Have you ever considered setting the Rosary to a song? I looked online and I couldn’t really find what I was looking for.’ So he planted that seed, and after lots of prayer and discernment, I really heard the Holy Spirit say, ‘Yes, do this.’”
WATCH: The Rosary in Two Minutes
Laura also serves as a music minister at St. Joseph parish in Cecilia, Louisiana. “That is really my main mission – to teach people how to intentionally pray with music, sacred hymns, and songs,” she says. Laura cites a powerful moment she had when listening to “Isaiah 49” by Carey Landry. “I was 7 years old, and that song is the first time I can say I really prayed and understood that the Holy Spirit spoke to me. I understood the words; the melody spoke to me. I knew from that moment music would play a huge role in my life.”
After listening to Laura sing the Apostles’ Creed, Father Dave says, “I will admit that in my life and even as a priest, I have said that prayer with not nearly as much feeling and emotion as is elicited when we hear the musical version of that. So what a great gift that is because, like anything we do a lot, we can kind of cruise through it.”
Laura explains her creative process of setting familiar prayers to music. “When you’re in Mass and you hear a Mass setting, you recognize some of the same melodies throughout. That’s how I approached the project, I wanted to keep it somewhat consistent on the melody.”
LISTEN: Music for Holy Week With Catholic Composer and Singer-Songwriter Francesca LaRosa
While the prayers of the Rosary are repeated, she intentionally created some differences throughout the decades. “Each decade, you’re going to have a different sound, whether it be changes in the background vocals, or the strings come in at certain areas,” Laura says. “So it builds. That fifth decade you’re going to hear the symphony.”
“It was intended to be kept simple as well; I didn’t want to get too complicated. When you’re making music or any type of art, you could keep [going] on and on and on. So the Holy Spirit really helped to say, ‘This is the vision, and stick to it,” she continues. “I’m excited to share it with the world and to people who maybe are not quite sure about the Rosary, or have not prayed it.”
Laura invites everyone to experience this special and transformative prayer.
“Just be open to praying the Rosary, just by reciting it or singing it.” Laura says. “Listen to a decade at a time in your car…Miracles happen when you pray the Rosary; your life will change.”
