| Last Wednesday, Father Stan’s Swiss tour came to an end. In one week, the famous Franciscan from the Bronx has met about 2000 people mainly youth. By his music uniquely his own (Rap, Reggae and Hip Hop), he proclaims chastiy, speaks against abortion, and invites man to open up to the grace of God. He cries out to a world that is blinded by its selfishness saying that the world has taken a bad direction; but despite it all, it is not too late. |
| Father Stan how was your Swiss tour ? What do you feel about it ? |
| Great! From what I can see from the outside, I would say that it was good. We never know what the Lord is doing on the inside. |
| Your style is a bit crude, Virginity , Chastity, abortion... do you think that the youth will accept this? |
| I think that the message is shocking for people who are immersed in this modern culture. The Gospel is a shock for the modern culture. The Gospel says that we must give of ourselves where as the modern culture teaches « everything for me. » Yet, it is in the Gospel that we find the freedom which brings us to true love. This is what I propse; it is the Gospel itself. It is the authentic way to love. |
| What are your current musical projects? |
| Actually, I am working on an album for Christmas which will be called « Christmas Culture Jazz Scared and Secular. » I’m also working on Sacro Song 3 , a rap CD. I will be releasing a CD and a DVD of my last Jazz concert. Finally, I am preparing an album for praying the Rosary with music and another one called « Contemplation. » |
| With all this work, are you able to keep up with your commnity life? |
| First, I am not a monk. Secondly, the franciscan life and a balance life do not go together St. Francis of Assisi was the most unblanced person who ever exsisted in the history of the church. What is important is to find the Peace. When I am away from the Bronx or in th Bronx, I give thanks to the Lord; I keep the Peace. |
| What do you do when you are in the Bronx? |
| I try to avance my musical projects and spend time with the Brothers and with the people. I try to do what God askes me to do. Each time I’m there, God shows me what I must do. God gives me projects and that is His Marvelous Blessing. That is true Peace. |
| For you , who is John Paul II ? |
| He is my Hero ! He is awesome. He is very important for me and for my life becasue of his example and of his words which are very deep. Through his life, he has given everything to Jesus. He is a role model. He is a human. He is a christian. He loves Jesus. He has the same life as me. John Paul II shows me how to be a good catholic. He shows me how to understand the world. Speaking about him, it is very important that the Swiss youth go to meet the Pope when he comes to Bern June 5th –6th 2004 ..... |
| According to you, how does the world needs to change? |
| The world needs to be warned that it is taking a bad direction. As soon as you realize that you have taken the wrong road, you should slow down, stop to think things over and look at what you are doing with your life. God gives many opportunities to look into ourselves. Today, we have a problem with the right and the wrong, with darkness and light because we can no longer tell the difference. |
| In one word how would you summerize what you do, all your discs , your message? |
| Gift. All that I have is a gift that comes from God. All that I do is a gift from God. Unto myself I am nothing. If I must use one word to summerize my life – GIFT! |
| And you would like to transmit this message? |
| Yah, it is a challenge to live this message, espcially for the youth. But that is the thrill, as much as you would find in Bungie jumping. The mysterious jump of Faith is a greater challenge. It is a great challenge but it is worth the trouble. One needs a lot of training to climb the Matterhorn ( the summit the most well known in Switzerland) but to penetrate the mystery of Faith takes even more. |
| Interviewed by Olivier Malcurat |