By Martin D’Souza| Opening Doorz Editorial | December 03, 2024
Whenever there is a conflict in the world or our country, my mind races back to Fr. Peter Gonsalves’s song, Get Back to Galilee from his album, ‘Beautiful’ (1987). The lyrics are not only telling in their impact but what amazes me is that he would have been in his early 20s when he wrote this song. For someone to write impactful, intense lyrics at this young age, he should have ‘experienced’ life.
Fr. Peter Gonsalves not only wrote these lyrics but also composed the music for every song. ‘Is It True’ is a beautiful interplay of music and message, designed to uplift the spirit while stirring the soul. Its peppy and upbeat melody inspires joy and energy, yet the probing lyrics—‘While we are wrapped in comfort behind the window pane, Naked children tremble, huddled in the rain, Is it true, we are sisters?’—call listeners to reflect deeply on human values of compassion and empathy. This blend of vibrant music and spiritual inquiry invites the listeners to move beyond comfort and embrace their call to serve.
On the other hand, ‘God Still Loves the World’ is soulful, drawing you to sing along from the depths of your heart. ‘Get Back to Galilee’, with its anthem-like feel, inspires a sense of purpose, urging you to march resolutely towards Galilee. There’s maturity, there’s angst, there’s an inquiring mind and there’s also a solution in this song.
His other songs, too, have deep meaning which reverberate even 40 years later. ‘The Repentance Song’, ‘I Celebrate You’, ‘The Meaning of Christmas’, ‘Let Me Start Again’, ‘Mary, How Beautiful the Name’… all these songs sound anew, whenever I listen to them. It is like reading scripture verses and tuning in to the Spirit. It’s like a spontaneous prayer, a dance with the Lord.
Currently, Fr. Peter Gonsalves is in the final stages of completing an album featuring 25 heartfelt songs celebrating Jesus and His teachings. The album is set to release at midnight on December 31, 2024, following the Mass that will usher in not only the New Year but also the 2025th jubilee of Jesus Christ’s birth.
I always wanted to know what went on in his mind when he wrote these songs. Knowing beforehand my line of questioning, Fr. Peter Gonsalves prepares the ground by stating a simple fact even before I start: “Two things I’d like to say are my indebtedness to the 1971-1975 Salesian staff of Lonavala who gave us ample liberty to explore and nurture our talents. The second is the encouragement I received from Fr. K J Thomas who was the first to publish my songs under the title ‘God Still Loves the World’ (1984), and Fr. Chrys Saldanha who willingly sponsored my second album ‘Beautiful’.”
Opening Doorz to the musical genius who humbly thanks the Lord each time his songs are sung as he celebrates the Eucharist.
Excerpts:
What triggered you to write such intense lyrics at such a young age?
I believe my life circumstances played a significant role. I’m the second son in my family, and psychologists often say the second child tends to be a bit of a rebel—that might explain part of it. However, the bigger influence was my family situation. My father passed away when I was only four years old, leaving just my mother, brother, and me. Our small family eventually moved to my grandmother’s place on my mother’s side after my father’s death. This loss and transition shaped my outlook on life from a young age, forcing me to think deeply about existence and meaning.
How did these experiences shape your understanding of yourself and your faith?
Beyond the family struggles, I began exploring who I was as a Christian. A turning point came when I was unexpectedly allowed to pursue a Master’s degree in philosophy, which was uncommon at the time. Typically, we would complete only a bachelor’s course, but Fr. Tony D’Souza, our provincial, encouraged me to go further, along with my companions Fr. Ivo Coelho and Fr. Ajoy Fernandes.
This deeper study opened my mind to ideas about life and spirituality. For my Master’s thesis, I chose to study Karl Rahner, a theologian known for his unique perspective on the material and spiritual worlds. He emphasised that you cannot separate the two—you cannot claim to love God while neglecting your neighbour, nor can you truly love your neighbour without acknowledging God. This integration of spirituality and materiality struck a deep chord and became a cornerstone of my beliefs.
I even taught it later when I was asked to take philosophy classes. So, with that background, I made that my spirituality. You can also call me, a Christian existentialist.
What do you mean when you say you are a “Christian existentialist”?
‘Christian existentialism’, for me, is about finding purpose in existence through faith. The existentialists such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Friedrich Nietzsche believe in pure human agency and are usually atheists or agnostics. Other existentialists believe in God and that life has a purpose such as Søren Kierkegaard, Gabriel Marcel, and Viktor Frankl. I align myself with this latter group who emphasise finding purpose despite life’s uncertainties (without condemning the former who are probably still searching).
As a “Christian existentialist”, I believe that existence is intentional, even though we don’t choose to be born. Over time, I’ve learned that connecting with God doesn’t only happen in a church or chapel. For me, God is present in every breath I take and in the daily experiences of life.
Your first Album God Still Loves the World was during your theology studies. How did this come about?
While studying theology, a catechetical priest, Fr. K J Thomas, who taught catechesis and ran a related course opened a studio at Kristu Jyoti College. He recognized the value of using cassettes and radio for communication. One day, he approached me and said, “Peter, I know you have songs. Would you like to record them?” I immediately agreed. With that, all my songs began to take shape. The Album was released in 1984.
What inspired the title song God Still Loves the World?
I didn’t have a title song initially, and I wasn’t fully satisfied with the collection. Then, one day, I was traveling downtown in Bangalore for choir practice. That morning, I was quite low because of a social analysis class led by a professor of social theology. He presented the harsh realities of our country in such a grounded way that it left me reflecting deeply.
On the crowded bus, I was surrounded by the usual chaos—people hanging out of the doors, the stench of sweat, and the packed space. I was lost in thought when I suddenly heard laughter. Turning around, I saw a baby girl, her head upside down as she lay in her mother’s lap, looking at me with bright, beautiful eyes and curly hair.
Her innocent laughter shifted my mood entirely. At that moment, Rabindranath Tagore’s words came to mind: “Every child that comes into the world comes with a message that God is not discouraged by humanity.” That thought inspired the melody and theme of God Still Loves the World.
So, Fr. Let’s Get Back to Galilee; how has the world changed since you wrote this song 40 years ago?
What has changed in the world? [smiles] That’s a question you’d have to ask those managing the world. But what I do know is that we still need to Get Back to Galilee.
When do you think we’ll truly “Get Back to Galilee”?
That, my dear, is in God’s hands. It’s not for us to determine the timing, but it remains a calling to strive toward.
The Christian’s prayer for India
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