From the introduction...

By his words and actions Pope Francis invites the global Church to a radically renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ in the presence of everyone and everything we meet. Encounter: From the Heart of Pope Francis is a performance piece that animates this prophetic and challenging call in song, story, and prayer. Through the proclamation of the words of Pope Francis and through personal narratives and music inspired by those words, this work is an invitation to embrace the risk and the promise of encountering Jesus in the gaze of those we love, those we struggle to love, those we fear, those we don’t understand, even those who have caused us or others pain.

We envision at least two ways in which Encounter may be performed. A first option is to follow the script [G-9616S] exactly as it is laid out. A reader or a series of readers would proclaim the words of Pope Francis and the musicians would perform each of the songs in between them. A second option would be to intersperse personal narratives between the papal quotes and the songs. These narratives could be based on the current needs of the world, the church, and one’s own community. We hope these options—as well as others inspired by this work we cannot yet imagine—provide a way for communities of diverse resources and needs to enter into the prophetic message of Pope Francis in whatever way is most viable and meaningful for them in light of local context and need.

We pray this work will anchor the joy of taking the risk of encounter within the hearts of those who pray with them, inspiring the work of healing wounds and creating a revolution of tenderness in a world hungry for mercy and thirsty for justice.

—Jeanne Cotter and Tony Alonso
Read the complete introduction and performance notes.

Full Score Edition

This full score contains all of the music for the Encounter performance piece.

Keyboard Edition

This keyboard edition for Encounter includes vocal and piano parts, as well as chord symbols.

String Edition (Violins I and II, Cello)

This string edition for Encounter includes parts for two violins and cello.

Recording of Encounter: From the Heart of Pope Francis

The recording contains the ten newly composed and arranged songs by Tony Alonso and Jeanne Cotter.

Choral Edition

This choral edition for Encounter includes vocal parts for soloists, choir, and assembly.

Guitar Edition

This guitar edition for Encounter includes melody lines, lyrics, and chord symbols.

C and Bb Instrumental Edition

This instrumental edition includes all instrumental lines in both C and Bb to allow for the greatest exibility and variety of ensemble combinations.

Script for Encounter: From the Heart of Pope Francis

This script includes spoken text and staging directions.

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OPTIONAL NARRATIVES

Jeanne Cotter

Jeanne Cotter is a commanding female presence in the American Catholic church. She is a liturgical composer, author, performer, parish mission director, master voice and piano teacher, inspirational speaker, and retreat leader. For over two decades she has inspired and taught audiences throughout the United States and abroad.

Jeanne holds a bachelor of arts degree in music (piano and vocal performance) and theology from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. She’s completed advanced studies in song writing, contemporary vocal pedagogy, and music business from the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, CA, and holds a master of arts degree in psychology and spirituality from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. She is currently artist in residence at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Naperville, IL.

Drawing on her Irish heritage, Jeanne understands the power of storytelling to connect diverse audiences to our shared human story. Her own experience of growing up in a large, multiracial, multinational farm family from southern Minnesota informs the values from which she writes and speaks, deeply rooted in the gospel teachings of Jesus.

Jeanne Cotter has numerous recordings, music collections, and books published by GIA Publications, Inc., as well as Mythic Rain, LLC.

“Jeanne Cotter is one of Catholic music’s most gifted liturgical musicians. Her beautiful voice and solo piano music have graced many a seminar and retreat!”
—Catholic Faith & Family Magazine

Tony Alonso

Tony Alonso is a theologian and composer whose work is animated by the diverse needs of the contemporary church.

A Cuban-American Roman Catholic, Tony's compositions embrace multicultural musical expressions and reflect a commitment to strong ritual song. His music appears in compilations and hymnals across Christian denominations throughout the world. In 2015, this work was recognized with an invitation to compose the responsorial psalm for the first Mass Pope Francis celebrated in the United States.

Tony's scholarly work lies at the intersection of liturgical theology, sacramental theology, ecclesiology, and cultural studies. He has presented at scholarly and pastoral conferences and events across North America and Europe. He has also authored several essays and articles in journals such as Modern Theology, Worship, Liturgy, and many others. Tony holds a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University, a Master of Arts in theology from Loyola Marymount University, and a PhD in religion from Emory University. He currently serves as Visiting Assistant Professor in the Practice of Theology and Culture and Director of Catholic Studies at Candler School of the Theology.