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Local Catholic Marie Miller to sing for Pope Francis

Katie Scott | Catholic Herald

Singer-songwriter Marie Miller, a parishioner of St. Peter Mission in Washington, Va., will perform in front of Pope Francis during the Festival of Families, a celebration following the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

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Marie Miller’s
songs have aired on Christian and secular
pop radio stations, and she’s played in nearly all 50 states.
The stunning 26-year-old with dark hair and a clear voice has
performed at South by Southwest, a film and music festival in
Austin, Texas, and in front of 20,000 people while opening
for the famed country singer-songwriter Sara Evans in
Alabama.

But her biggest gig, the one she calls “a miracle,” will be
Sept. 26 in front of an estimated 750,000 people. What makes
it special is not the size, but the man who will be sharing
the stage with her.

Miller, a parishioner of St. Peter Mission in Washington,
Va., is one of several artists asked to perform for Pope
Francis at the Festival of Families, a multicultural,
multifaith celebration following the World Meeting of
Families in Philadelphia. Along with the Philadelphia
Orchestra, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Juanes, a
Grammy-winning Colombian singer, Miller will play during the
televised event on the city’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Joining Miller will be fellow Catholics Kenny Kohlhaas on
guitar and Stephen Rees on fiddle.

About a year ago, when the U.S. Catholic world first was
abuzz over the announcement that the pope would visit the
United States, Miller sent an email to World Meeting of
Families organizers offering her musical talents.

“I didn’t think about performing for the pope at all; I just
thought maybe there would be a need for music (during his
trip),” said Miller. “I wanted to do anything just so I could
go and see him, anything to get an in.”

The email Miller received in reply basically said, “Thank you
for your interest, and we’ll put you on a list,” she
recalled. “In a musician’s life, that means, sorry, but no.”

Time passed and she received invitations to perform for a
number of events in conjunction with the pope’s trip.

Then a little more than a month ago, she got a call from
Festival of Families Executive Producer Scott Mirkin. He’d
heard Miller on pop radio and asked if she’d be willing to
perform at the large evening festival. It took a while for
Miller to realize that she’d be playing on the same stage as
the pope.

“It really is a miracle that I’m getting to do this,” Miller
said, adding that it also was a staggeringly clear answer to
a prayer.

“When I’d gotten the news, I’d just gotten back from a
not-great gig,” she said. “I’ve given up a lot to pursue
music – relationships, college. I love it, but at points,
it’s tough.”

Two days after praying to God, “Show me what You want me to
do,” she got the call from Mirkin.

“To be able to sing and play for the pope, to be part of such
a great event – something hopeful and peaceful in a world
that is filled with hopelessness – I’m so humbled and
honored,” said Miller. “I’m playing for the best person you
can play for.”

Miller said Pope Francis’ popularity has given her an entry
point to dialogue about Catholicism and faith with
non-Catholics.

“Even in the secular pop music world, people have been asking
questions,” said Miller, who is eager to share her love of
the church and its shepherd.

“Pope Francis inspires me to be courageous and to go against
the status quo, but also to recognize the dignity of each
person no matter where they are on their faith journey,” she
said.

Miller, the third of 10 children, lives in the Shenandoah
Valley and grew up playing traditional folk music. She wanted
to select songs for the pope that honored the United States’
musical heritage as well as her own, so she’ll play pieces
with folk, bluegrass and gospel influences.

The trio will perform two of her original songs, “You’re Not
Alone,” about being a good friend through difficult times,
and “6’2″,” about praying for a husband.

Both catchy tunes have a pop-folksy flavor, and it’s not hard
to imagine Pope Francis tapping his modestly shoed foot to
them.

Although it will be a concert like none other, Miller plans
to begin her set the same way she always does. “First, I’ll
pray that I don’t mess up,” she said, laughing. “Then my
prayer is always that people will draw closer to God through
music. Even though this is a special event, my goal is the
same. I want to inspire people. I want them to draw close to
God’s beauty.”

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