Joncas composed the hymn he is best known for, "On Eagle's Wings", following the death of a friend's father in the late 1970s.[4] It has since been quoted by Joe Biden[6] and covered by Lana Del Rey.[7]
In 2003, Joncas was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome after noticing he lacked the strength to elevate the chalice at Mass.[5] The residual effects of the disorder still prevent him from playing guitar,[10] the instrument on which he composed "On Eagle's Wings".[11]
In 2022, Joncas retired from active ministry and teaching but intends to keep writing music.[10]
Discography
Singing In the Light (1968)
On Eagles' Wings (1979; featuring "On Eagle's Wings")
Every Stone Shall Cry
Here In Our Midst
O Joyful Light
I Have Loved You
Praise God in Song
No Greater Love Mass
Winter Name of God (1988)
God of Life and of the Living
Sing Praise and Thanksgiving
Come to Me
Mass for John Carroll
Psallite Mass
We Come to Your Feast
A Voice Cries Out
As the Deer
God of Life Be Praised
In the Sight of Angels (2008)
Christ Be Near (2009)
Shelter Me (2020)
Published works
Preaching the Rites of Christian Initiation, Forum Essays 4 (Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 1994).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Liturgy and Sacraments (San Jose, CA: Resource Publications, 1995).
From Sacred Song to Ritual Music: Twentieth Century Understandings of Roman Catholic Worship Music (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1997).
Co-author with Fr. Michael Driscoll, The Order of Mass: A Roman Missal Study Edition and Workbook (Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 2011).
Within Our Hearts Be Born. The Michael Joncas Hymnary: Advent and Christmas (Portland, OR: Oregon Catholic Press, 2013)
We Contemplate the Mystery.The Michael Joncas Hymnary: Lent and Triduum (Portland, OR: Oregon Catholic Press, 2015).[8]
^ abLawson, Paul (June 1980). "SJV Alumni Ordained". Memorandum, Saint Paul Seminary. p. 2. Retrieved 9 November 2022. Ten St. John Vianney Seminary graduates of St. Thomas were ordained priests on May 31 in the St. Paul Cathedral. They were among 13 ordained by Archbishop John R. Roach. The alumni are the Rev. Messrs. John J. Bussmann, Dennis Dempsey, Joseph T. For- celle, Jan Michael Joncas, Joseph F. Kennedy, Thomas M. Kommers, Kevin McDonough, Kenneth Leo O'Hotto, John F. Sowada, and Michael John Stevens.
^"Michael Joncas". OCP. Retrieved September 22, 2017. Best known for popular songs like "On Eagle's Wings" and "I Have Loved You," Father Joncas is also a supremely gifted choral composer.