Skip to content

The Holy Rosary in Song

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

A Catholic Music Interview with Frank Loconto, Singing Rosary
By Lisa M. Hendey
Catholic Online

With the declaration of October 2002-2003 as the Year of the Rosary by Pope John Paul II and the publication of the papal encyclical "ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE", many Catholics found themselves moved to an increased devotion to the Rosary. The encyclical and its addition of a new set of Luminous Mysteries spurred a rush of books, articles and resources aimed at helping those wanting to pray the Rosary.

One such resource is "Singing Rosary", the creation of musician and entertainer Frank Loconto. For years, Frank and his brothers appeared on stage and television sharing their musical talents. Recently, Frank Loconto has lent his voice to a higher calling, praising God and the Blessed Virgin Mary with his "Singing Rosary" compositions.

Q: Frank Loconto, creator of the "Singing Rosary", thank you for your time and participation in this Catholic Music Spotlight. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background with the Catholic faith.

A: I have been in 'show business' all of my life and with my two brothers Pete and Art we performed for many years as "The Lane Brothers", recorded for RCA in the late 50's/60's, performed in the major supper clubs and concerts around the US and parts of the world, appeared on television shows such as: The Jackie Gleason Show, Dick Clark's Bandstand, The Tonight Show and NBC Specials. On the personal side, I was born into a loving Catholic home, taught by the Franciscan nuns and have been blest with the faith all of my life. Singing in the choir at church and school and serving as an altar boy certainly prepared me for my later life on stage...there's no doubt about it.

Deacon Keith Fournier Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

Q: How did you come up with the idea to record the "Singing Rosary"?

A: Let me give a little background.... I have been a songwriter for many years, having written many secular songs and countless musical commercials (jingles). I began writing what I called 'Jesus' songs about 15 years ago and sung them quite a few times on "New Breed Of Man", a Catholic program aired on the Trinity Network. The idea for the "Singing Rosary" first came to me about 10 years ago and it took me a while to feel that I was worthy to put this wonderful prayer to melodies and music. I have a recording studio business in Sunrise, Florida and with the help of some very talented musicians the project was completed. I'm happy that the Holy Father announced the new Mysteries of Light just in time for me to include them on this 2CD set.

Q: As a mother, I imagine putting my little ones to bed with this recording playing quietly in the background. What feedback have you received about how people are using the "Singing Rosary"?

A: I am very honored when I hear that mothers like yourself are using the "Singing Rosary" to play for their children, even at bedtime. I think that's wonderful. I've heard from a few 'grand-moms' who are teaching their grandkids the prayers by playing the "Singing Rosary" CD's. Some people play it in their cars on the way to and from work, others use headsets while walking or jogging. I'm very pleased with the positive feedback we have received. Knowing that the "Singing Rosary" is both soothing and prayerful to the listener, makes me feel that in some small way, I'm helping people in their spiritual walk....and that's great.

Q: Please share with our readers your story of how the melodies for the Singing Rosary came to you and describe the process of creating this compilation?

A: As I recall, I was in my home one evening.... strumming my guitar, and writing new gospel songs, when I began 'singing' the Hail Mary. The melody just seemed to fit with the words, and then I tried the 'Our Father' and 'Glory Be' and they also fit perfectly with the same melody. I was completely surprised by this, as praying the rosary had not been part of my daily prayer life.....so we see once again that the Lord has His ways of getting us to 'do the right thing'. When I began producing and recording the "Singing Rosary' in my studio, I asked my good friend Teddy Mulet, a world class musician, who has been on many Grammy winning albums and world tours with Gloria Estefan and recently toured with Justin Timberlake, to compose a musical prelude announcing each mystery. Teddy has done a masterful job and I'm grateful to him as well as the other musicians and engineers whose dedication to this project helped bring it to fruition.

Q: What benefits have you seen in your own life from a devotion to prayer of the Rosary?

A: My mother was very devoted to Mary and said her daily rosary. I'm sure that her example rubbed off on me, although as I mentioned earlier the rosary beads usually stayed in my pocket, and I must admit I didn't take them out very often. I am convinced that having the inspiration to compose and sing the Holy Rosary came directly from a higher power, and I'm very grateful for that. The Rosary, next to Holy Mass, is the most powerful prayer we have to overcome the struggles in life, and if the "Singing Rosary" can help one person to come closer to Jesus and Mary, it will have done its job. I keep my portable cd player and my headset right by my bed and listen to the "Singing Rosary" each night....although I seldom get beyond one decade. It works better than sleeping pills.

Q: Do you have plans for additional Catholic music recording projects?

A: Yes! I have a series of songs already recorded and they will be available on CD during the coming year. I also have been inspired to compose a second rosary which I call the "Rock-n-Rosary". It is a little more contemporary than the original version and it has different melodies to each of the prayers. I'm very excited about the "Rock-n-Rosary", and hopefully it will be embraced by people of all ages. It will be available in the first quarter of next year.

Q: Are there any additional thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?

A: First of all, thank you Lisa for providing this wonderful outlet for Catholic artists to publicize their work. St. Augustine said: "Music is praying twice", so we get a 'double-grace' each time we listen and pray along with Catholic music. Secondly, I would like to tell your readers how important it is to support web-sites like CatholicMom.com. With so much 'junk' on the internet, Catholic sites bring a 'refreshing aroma' to our computer screens. Keep up the good work and God bless you and your readers.

For more information on the "Singing Rosary" contact:

Frank Loconto
10244 NW 47th. Street
Sunrise, FL. 33351-7967
954-741-7766
fxloconto@aol.com
www.singingrosary.com

Lisa M. Hendey is webmaster of www.CatholicMom.com, a wife and mother of two and a Catholic music fan and supporter. Visit her at www.LisaHendey.com for more information.

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Contact

CatholicMom.com
http://www.catholicmom.com CA, US
Lisa M. Hendey - webmaster, 559 5551212

Email

lisa@catholicmom.com

Keywords

rosary, catholic, mysteries, book, review

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Light Your Free Payer Candle for a departed loved one

What is Palm Sunday?

Live on March 20, 2024 @ 10am PDT

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Lent logo
Saint of the Day logo
Light Your Free Payer Candle for a departed loved one

What is Palm Sunday?

Live on March 20, 2024 @ 10am PDT

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.