Sacro Song Two Reviews

Now was so excited when i got my CD last week. I put it on in my car and bumped it. My friend sat in the car while i was listening to everybody got to suffer and asked "is this a new song my Eminem" i giggled and said "NO" its my buddy Fr.Stan Fortuna.He said "what a rapping priest" i told him believe or not. Fr.Stan rocks and keep them coming i can't wait for u to come to Louisiana i have been a fan of your music since i was 16 i am 21 now. I am so excitedCan't wait for u to get here....APR
What an eclectic mix of ideas and music! Cell 91 superbly captured the revolutionary choice of a vibrant non-Italian pope. Padre, you captured the exuberance and freshness Pope John Paul II brought to the pontiff at the youthful age of 58. Since I was the age in 1978 that many of Fr. Stan's youth ministry is today, I would highly recommend they read as much as possible on our Holy Father's life. His daily struggles and sufferings before his pontiff alone would garner him saintly status - then you add what he has accomplished as Pope and you will surely be inspired.

I enjoyed the F.A.M.I.L.Y. Remix. In the aftermath of 9/11 (when the e-mail jokes took a hiatus), I received a warm & fuzzy message stating F A M I L Y stands for Father and Mother, I LOVE YOU. Immediately, my reaction was they have it all wrong. It is FORGET ABOUT ME, I LOVE YOU! (from Sacro Song I). I prefer Fr. Stan's translation - it denotes the family of mankind.

Everybody gotta suffer! and Libre are just terrific! I like how Fr. Fortuna reflected on how different socia-economic classes do not find commonality until they suffer. Keep pushing the envelope and rocking society's boat. I will keep everyone in my prayers. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Cathy A. C.
The timing of the release of this CD was eerie. Only five days after the new Eminem CD. Coincidence? I think not. There is no such thing if you believe in Divine Providence (that God provides for His children). God has provided an alternative to the foul-mouthed self-centered superstar. There is a rapping priest by the name of Father Stan Fortuna CFR. He is a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal in the South Bronx. He has been given a comparable amount of talent as his peer Marshall Mathers. But he has chosen to do good with his talent, rather than to further corrupt the youth and make himself rich.

This review will not be a dissertation on rap music. I'm just going to assume that we all know that most rap music glorifies violence, sex (outside of marriage), drugs, money, etc. Fr. Stan glorifies the Word of God, through the teachings of the Catholic Church. He combats what most rap music glorifies.

Fr. Stan is not doing this as a joke. As a kid growing up in New York he witnessed rap's beginnings. It stuck with him. He is an authentic rapper. He loves his fellow rappers and mourns the loss of so many that have died in recent years. His music addresses so many issues that it can't be tagged simply as "political" or "spiritual" because it is so many other things. And let's not forget the most important reason why it's being reviewed -- musically, it's VERY GOOD!!!

The production, entertainment value, and every aspect of "quality" of this CD are on par with (if not better than) any other release that I can think of. Which may not sound like much of a complement. But the reason why Christian and/or Catholic music never appealed to me (a music snob) in the past was that the quality just wasn't there. I definitely appreciate that when someone's heart is in the right place and they want to play music for God, it's a good thing, but if it's not musically good, I just really don't want to listen to it. This is probably the best of a handful of Catholic CDs that I can recommend that are worth checking out even if you're not Catholic just because it's good music.

All of the necessary qualities of a good rap album are present on Sacro Song II -- booming bass, controversial lyrics, good rhymes, and a message that will make you think harder about life. The introspective and political qualities of rap are what has always attracted me to the genre (in addition to the beats and the rhymes). I see similarities between Tupac and Fr. Stan in their levels of charisma and social awareness. But this is one rapper that I can't imagine being shot dead before his time because he was caught up in the mess he was trying to expose. Dan Lutes 9/17/02
Hi Tony, I have not yet had a chance to listen to ss2 but if it is of the standard I have come to expect from Fr. Stan then I'm sure it is good and I have been told that it has in fact an improvement on ss1. Anyway I was reading the ss2 reviews and I came across a review by a teacher describing "zipper zone" and "say yes to sex (What?)" as unnecessarily explicit. I can understand her point that we want to protect the innocence of our children and teens (my generation) but I feel it is perhaps a slightly naive view that is maybe overlooking the extent of the damaging poison the media feeds to me and my peers in today's very wounded and sick society. Whilst in an ideal world it may be good for us not to have to deal with the complex and difficult issues surrounding sex until we are slightly older the truth is that it becomes an issue for most of us right the way from primary school and for some even younger. Children SHOULD be informed to some extent about the sanctity of their body and what is appropriate/inappropriate behavior in a platonic relationship or even with an early boy/girlfriend so as to protect them from being taken advantage of or doing something in complete innocence that they shouldn't do. Also teens today are exposed to so much propaganda about sex even the government, our schools and most certainly our peers and maybe even our families are sending out messages that sex outside marriage is ok so long as it is "safe" and consensual. Anyone who disagrees with this is "a freak" and "a prude" and if you speak out against contraception or the murder of an unborn child its like you're some monster from the ice age failing to acknowledge the "Right to choice" of a mother! Well that only leaves the church and some of our families telling us that our bodies are sacred and should be kept pure and we all know how inclined young people are to listen to their parents! and some parents maybe don't have the skills or biblical knowledge to argue the point against the very slick and sophisticated arguments provided by today's political spin doctors and media giants so its pretty much up to the church to get the message out there! If the church wants to communicate with young people it has to speak their language not come out all guns blazing telling kids this is right and you're wrong because we say so! All that does is gives teens an authority to rebel against. It has to break down the argument and give logical answers. We are hearing about sex from every angle except that of the church so of course, with no justifiable counter argument, we are gonna turn away from church teachings. The songs HAVE to tackle the issue head on and in a way teens can relate to, give us something to come back with when our peers are telling us we're loons. Sex IS a good thing and its important for young people to understand the church's perception of that so an attention grabbing tittle that says "hey, I ain't about to tell you not to have sex" is a good and necessary thing.
Loadsa luv and God Bless, Louise xxx
Fr. Stan, There are two types of music I didn't care for: rap and country. After enjoying your concert at the SCRC conference, and listening to SSII, I've changed my mind, but I still don't like country. I'm a mom to two preteen kids, and they love!!!!! your music. You connect with kids so well. You are such a holy person. GOD has truely blessed you. Keep writing and playing. The youth will know our great GOD and how much HE loves us through your music.May you know HIS love today and forever!-Syl
I must say I think the CD was put together well. Fr. Stan's lyrics flow properly with the beat making the songs easy to listen to. And of course, none of it is filler. It all has a very strong meaning which Fr. Stan incorporates properly. However, I enjoyed th eoriginal Sacro Song a bit more. It may be because that was the first time I heard Fr. Stan and that time was a bit more special than when listening to a follow-up album. Nonetheless it is definitely a decent piece of work. I like the way Fr. Stan can speak like and to the young people. Particularly on the song Say Yes To Sex. I myself am 15 years old. I discovered Fr. Stan in the May of this year, I think. I was introduced to the work of Fr. Stan by a religion teacher at my school, Bishop Brossart High School. I've been a fan since. Keep up the good work. -Charlie
The CD is awesome... i'm just putting it like that... i copied the CD to my laptop (cuz i don't have a cd player in my car... or a portable cd player)... and i hooked it up to my car tape player... driving down the street in our crowded little city playing everybody got 2 suffer... and i get awesome stares coming at me cuz, dude, what are you listening to, isn' t that guy a christian... that's rap... it sounds kinda like eminem... ahh... oh anyways... it's a beaaautiful cd full of some of the most important things that we need to here today, and the things that we don't hear often enough, such as the theology of the body and the beauty of sex (umm... i'm 18 and not married, but i get the concept on how absolutly a gift it is to us from God)... then ya have it followed up by baraka... which goes into like a jazz interlude which kinda balances the CD from one style to another...it's awesome awesome...
Love in Christ
Dan from Chicago-Metro
(Young Apostle STL 2k2)
I love 90% of Sacro Song II, which is the same way I felt about the first Sacro Song. However, I do have one complaint. I feel songs like Zipper Zone and Say Yes to Sex are too graphic for young people. I do appreciate the intent and I am not suggesting that the topic of sex not be in song. But I will not allow my children to listen to these songs which keeps me from letting them have their own copies and giving it their friends.
At our school, of which I am a principal, we are great fans of Fathers, but I do not encourage students or parents to buy the Sacro Song albums because of those two songs. I feel strongly that it lowers our standards as Catholic to talk or sing like much of secular music today. I know what your going to say, "Say Yes to Sex" is a song about the topic of sex within marriage. And I agree that message within the song is good. However, the title itself is inappropriate and misleading. It is too easily taking out of context and sends up "red flags" to parents. It is not necessary to use that terminology and get out the same message. I believe their is a lack of sensitivity to good, chaste kids today. Most speakers on chastity today presume the worst and naplam the innocent. Our culture does the same thing. Sorry I am on my soap box.
Just food for thought,
God bless you and your ministry, Jack
thanks be to God! Fr. Stan is such a beautiful instrument in the hands of our loving and merciful Father. SSII is an awesome voice to some really desperate situations. once again fr. stan has put some incredibly thought provoking subjects out there for all to hear. if you haven't checked out all his music, do yourself and those you love a favor and tune in. he inspires and encourages the listener to come closer to God. i myself have been strengthened in ways unimaginable by his music ministry and have received courage to be more vocal about God's love and desire for us. thank you fr. stan and all the hard working people at francesco production! and to all the brothers and fathers of the Franciscan renewal, may God richly bless you and strengthen you! the lyrics and music i hold close to my heart .our country must stop the holocaust of abortion if we truly want God to continue to hold us in his loving hands. don't be afraid to speak out! and pray,pray,pray! check out priestsforlife .org for some powerful ammunition in the fight for life.this rap cd could be called a "rhapsody" 'cos as brother dictionary explains it , it means an exalted(to lift up) or excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling in speech or writing. amen to that! God bless you father stan and may he continue to stengthen you with divine power to carry on. we love you! see you in attleboro! peace and love forever,the nasca family
Hi! My name is Sarah and I attended the Steubinville North Youth Conference in St. Paul Minnesota, which is where I first got a taste of the music by Father Stan. I must admit I was totally blown away at first when he performed "Everybody Got to Suffer." Hearing such moving lyrics about such topics about crack addiction and prostitution in the ghetto, and coming from the mouth of a priest was some thing pretty new to me. But, I have to say, it was enough to get me curious about the rest of the songs on the album, so me and my friends picked up a copy and had it autographed. It is just soo awesome!!! Creative sound, great lyrics, a good beat, and a GREAT message! I think that I just might have to check out the rest of his stuff! Take care and God bless! ~Sarah~ Lakeville, MN
Hey Tony,
The Sacro Song II came today. Well Done!! The face on my son (14yo) was of total shock when he saw the song Say Yes to Sex. He listened to it immediately. When satisfied he then went to #8 thinking maybe he would hear a totally cool Instrumental. Oh, what a powerful witness #'s8 and 9 are. These led to a wonderful conversation between my son and I. He REALLY likes Unborn Victims of Violence.
Thank you Tony for your e mails to all of us out here. You put so much of yourself in your e mails it's like we know you already.
God Bless, Mary
Again, Well done on Sacro Song II
.
Dear Fr.Stan,
My name is Jennifer I went to Steubenville of the Rockies on June 13-15 2002, and I saw and heard you there. I bought your c.d. I just wanted to say that you really reach out to teenagers these days. The song that is called "Everybody got to Suffer," it really relates to alot of teenagers. I never looked at suffering that way before. I always felt alone until I heard that song. I just love your new c.d. You have a way with young adults. You understand us, you know were coming from and what were going through which alot of adults don't. I just wanted to tell you that your in my prayers and keep making songs that reach out to all young adults.Jennifer
Wow!
"Unborn Victims of Violence" has some of the most powerful pro-life lyrics I've ever heard and is delivered in a style that any professional rapper would be hard-pressed to beat. Awesome."Everybody Got to Suffer" is full of realistic Christian wisdom with quality music which demonstrates that good rap doesn't have to be about killing people. And what about Br. Augustino! He's an awesome poet - "Libre" has become an instant favourite of mine.Those are just a few highlights from a high quality CD. Father Stan has done it again! KLB
Tony,
Got the CD this week, since I am of the older variety it took a little hard listening to catch on to all the rap...but took it to the kids and right away its another hit with them. Everybody gottta suffer, brought
a lot of talk...for them and those I work with this is good material to put into use. Gotta say, it should go well for Father,lot of work on this. Thanks that we can see the feedback, another good idea. Cathy
Dear Father Stan and Tony,
I wanted to write because I am so moved by Sacro Song 2. I am not a teen, but one of the adult volunteers for a Life Teen Group. I used to like rapp when I was a teen, but I sort of lost my taste for it. After listening to Sacro Song 2, I'm thinking, part of the reason I lost my taste for rapp is because of the negative lyrics. I like every single song on this CD.My favorites are "Everybody Got to Suffer", "Unborn Victims of Violence", and "Cell 91". I think that "Everybody Got to Suffer" is one of my all-time favorite songs now (and that is next to Pachielbel's (sp?) Cannon (sp?)). That says a lot! I think the reason I like these songs so much are because they are so passionate! I think that Fr. Stan has such a gift to reach young and old people. If "Everybody Got to Suffer" made it on the radio and people started listening to Fr. Stan I think he could bring a lot of people to the Church. Music like this is what society needs. I think that our youth want to go back to a more moral or innocent way of living. It's just that they don't know how to get there. Music is such a good way to reach people, especially the youth, who our future depends on. Fr. Stan truly has a gift to reach people and he uses it so well!

I am so inspired by the teens of today! Our Life Teen group has about
40 active members. To me this is unbelievable. When I was a teen, at my Church I'm sure there wouldn't have been nearly that many. Of course, I wouldn't know because I would have nevergone. I was too busy partying. I bought the CD at the Steubenville Youth Conference in Charleston (which was awesome). That is the first time that I ever saw or heard Fr. Stan (although I had heard a lot about him). I could just feel the Holy Spirit surrounding Fr. Stan. I'm still on a spiritual high from that
conference. I also bought "U Got 2 Believe" which is also a great book! As a matter of fact, we have a bible study for the teens every other week. This year they wereable to earn a "Catholic Youth Bible" and a Catechism if they attended 5 times and brought a guest. My suggestion for next year is that if they earned their bibles and catechisms then they can earn "U Got 2 Believe" if they attend 5 times and bring a guest. I am sorry that I am being so wordy but there is one more thing I want to mention. Yesterday I heard a news story on the tv that reminded me of "Unborn Victims of Violence". It was about the organization "Snowflakes". If you haven't heard of them, "Snowflakes" is an adoption agency that puts unwanted frozen embryos up for adoption. First of all, let me just say that I am totally against in vitro fertilization, but I know that people are doing this and one of many moral dillemas (I mean in addition to the whole people playing God thing) is that there are a whole bunch of unwanted frozen embryos laying around. We believe that these embryos are life, right? Well, in my mind, embryo adoption is one way to keep an unborn embryo from dying. I mean man created the embryo, just to die? That's horrible, if there's some way to save them, I think God would like that, right? I was also thinking that if people could adopt the unwanted frozen embryos they would be less likely to create more. I don't know how the Catholic Church feels about this concept, but I was thinking it was a great idea. My friend told me that this was against Catholic teachings.

But anyway, I am still not to my point. The whole news story that I saw yesterday regarding "Snowflakes" is that they make people go through the same, veryrigorous, adoption process, as if they were going to adopt a newborn baby. Well, this has the abortion agency's shaking in their shoes. There was some lady who was a pro-abortionist (her last name was Michelmann-we have to pray for her) who was on tv to say that she thinks that "Snowflakes" adoption process is wrong because it gives living status to a frozen embryo, she thinks that this will be bad for the abortion movement. Well I hope it is!!! I was so floored by the whole thing. It just shows how God can make something good, out of something bad. It may be wrong formen to fertilize eggs in test tubes, but in the end it just may do a lot to advance the pro-life movement! If anyone up your way has any insight on this situation could you please
send me some info!

Well anyway I better go. Thank you for sharing your talents with us Fr. Stan. Thank you for reaching out to teens. Thank you everybody else who works with and helps Fr. Stan....Tony and others. And I thank God for all of you!! Peace out! Val