Musical trio evangelizes, raises money for charity

A singing trio in France is evangelizing while raising money for various Catholic charities.

 “Les Pretres” (The Priests) consists of two priests and a seminarian. Their first CD, “Spiritus Dei,” was the second top-selling album in France in 2010. It sold 800,000 copies.

Fr. Jean-Michel Bardet, pastor of the Cathedral of Gap; Fr. Charles Troesch, chaplain of the Basilica of Our Lady of Laus; and seminarian Nguyen Dinh Nguyen, a self-taught musician and singer of the Diocese of Gap will release their second album on April 25.

The trio is a creation of Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco of Gap and Embrun. He hopes to repeat the success of the Irish group, The Priests, in order to help finance charitable works and evangelize through music.

Proceeds from the 800,000 CDs sold were used to build a school in Madagascar and to restore the shrine of Our Lady of Laus.

“We have received many letters from people saying this CD has helped them and given them peace,” Bishop de Falco said. “The 17 concerts we had in France and other countries were a chance for communion, peace, joy, comfort and happiness,” he added.

The second album, titled, “Gloria,” includes adaptations of classical pieces and a selection of popular French melodies. It includes versions of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, with lyrics written by Bishop di Falco.