A music missionary may not be among the most familiar of job descriptions, but for Danielle Rose, it’s a way of life. She has traveled all over the world singing her original songs about God’s love, and she will be the cantor at the annual Requiem for the Unborn Mass to be celebrated Jan. 19, 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.“It’s a privilege to be able to offer my voice to speak on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves,” said Rose, who has been a traveling music missionary ever since she graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2002 with bachelor degrees in music and theology. The very summer she graduated, she sang songs about falling in love with God to one million young people attending World Youth Day in Toronto taken from her 2001 debut album released by World Library Publications, “Defining Beauty.”She spent the next several years touring and writing songs. Her subsequent albums with World Library included “Mysteries,” a collection of meditations upon the 20 mysteries of the rosary; “I Thirst,” a musical tribute to the life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta; and “Pursue Me,” describing the journey of accepting the call to discernment, recorded immediately before her entrance into a convent in 2007 to discern whether she had a vocation to the religious life. After more than two years of formation in the convent, Rose came to a successful discernment with her community that the Lord was calling her to follow Him in a different way. She left the congregation to continue her global music ministry. Part of that ministry now includes fundraising for an orphanage in China that she had learned about during her convent stay.In the summer of 2010, she came to Los Angeles to work on a self-published pro-life album called “Culture of Life,” a musical reflection on the interrelated components of society that are necessary to build an authentic culture of life. She was inspired to publish the album because of China’s one-child policy and her desire to see an end to abortion during her lifetime. For each copy of the album purchased, a copy will be donated to support organizations that help build a culture of life, such as crisis pregnancy centers.It’s no accident that the album is scheduled for release by the end of this month, which marks the 40th anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.Rose, 32, sees the pro-life movement “absolutely” growing among young people. “People are recognizing the consequences and suffering that accompany abortion,” she said. “This truth is evident even when discussions surrounding abortion are not coming from a faith-based perspective. When this is combined with the wisdom revealed through our faith about God’s plan for the dignity of the human person, then the capacity to transform the culture is unstoppable. It’s like a tidal wave in our nation.”She looks forward to cantoring the music at the Requiem for the Unborn Mass, composed by John Bonaduce, music director at Our Lady of Peace Church in North Hills and music teacher/director of liturgical music at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. Bonaduce also leads music at St. Bernardine of Siena’s (Woodland Hills) 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass, where he directs the Shantigarh Choir, which is the choir with whom he created the Requiem for the Unborn.“John’s music is very beautiful and moving,” said Rose. “When music is prayed from the heart, it has the capacity to help people encounter Jesus. I have no doubt that this will be happening in the Requiem Mass.” For more information on the music and albums of Danielle Rose, who will also be among those performing at the Religious Education Congress’ opening ceremonies and lunchtime entertainment Feb. 22, log on to www.daniellerose.com. {gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/0118/requiemrose/{/gallery}
