Thomas Muglia recorded this new treatment of the “Litany of Humility” for his 2019 debut album, The Return. The tune takes the beautiful text of the often overlooked prayer to make an excellent new hymn.
Muglia hasn’t been on the Catholic music scene long, but he writes like a seasoned veteran. His strong, clear voice is supported by a slick talent on guitar. The soft plucking of the acoustic displays a contemplative chord progression that is soon built upon with wonderfully tight vocal harmonies.
Part of what makes Muglia’s music so touching is the genuine faith he brings to the work. According to The Catholic Sun, Muglia was raised in a musical Catholic household. His father is a music minister who got his kids involved in the ministry at a young age. Now, his sister, MaryAnne, runs the music ministry at another church and Thomas is sharing his brand of Catholic music with the world.
Lenten listening
From the moment we heard this powerful hymn, we saved it to our playlist. The tune has become standard Lenten listening to get us though the long weeks of the penitential season. The soft nature of the melody makes it a natural prayer companion and lends itself well to Lenten meditation.
After the music, Muglia took a moment to explain his inspiration for the “Litany of Humility.” He said:
“I was trying to write a song and I just stumbled across this prayer. I started reading these phrases like, ‘Let others be loved more than me. Jesus grant me the Grace to desire it.’… and I thought ‘Man, I don’t think I could honestly ask for those things and mean it in my heart, nor do I have any of these desires. But I wish that I did. Something in me wants to be that kind of person.’ “The Litany of Humility has become a very important prayer in my life and one that I keep coming back to over and over again. It’s something that I strive to live out each day and to be honest, most days are a failure. But it’s a beautiful way that we can try to imitate Christ in the way that he loved. The way we’re meant to love others.”
Thomas Muglia is currently in Nashville working on his second album. The Sun reported that he had 30 songs prepared, but we would be thrilled with even half that amount. Until the new work is out, have a look at The Return, Muglia’s 2019 album, that is just jam-packed with Catholic music. With titles like “Let Us Adore,” “Worthy is the Lamb,” and “Bless the Lord,” all of our Lenten journeys can be enhanced by his excellent album.
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