James J. Quinn (hymnwriter)
Encyclopedia
James J. Quinn SJ was a Scottish Jesuit priest
, theologian and hymnwriter.
, Scotland
, he was educated at St. Aloysius' College, Glasgow
(1926–1935) and at the University of Glasgow
(1935–1939), achieving honours with an MA in Classics
. He entered the Society of Jesus
as a novice
(1939–1941) and studied philosophy
at Heythrop College
, Oxfordshire
(1941–1944). Quinn became Classics Master at Preston Catholic College (1944–1948) before returning to Heythrop College to complete his studies in Theology
(1948–1952).
on 9 September 1950. After serving a tertianship
at St. Beuno’s College
, North Wales
(1952–1953), he became Classics Master at Wimbledon College
(1954–1955) and was then appointed to the Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh
in 1955. He served as prefect of studies in the novitiate
at Edinburgh
1963-1966 and after a further period at Sacred Heart
, was seconded as spiritual director
to the Beda College, Rome
(1976–1980). He then returned to Sacred Heart parish for a third term.
, he was observer at the General Assembly of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
at Frankfurt
in 1964, was consultor to the Secretariat 1968-1973, and was consultant at the World Council of Churches Faith and Order meeting at Louvain
, Belgium
, in 1972 and at the fourth session of the SPCU/WARC dialogues at Zeist
, Holland, in 1973. In the British Council of Churches he participated in its Faith and Order Conference in 1964 and in its Church Leaders’ Conference in 1972; and, on behalf of the Scottish Catholic Hierarchy, was consultant/observer from 1966 and consultant to the board of its division of Ecumenical Affairs from 1975. In the Commission for Christian Unity (formerly the National Ecumenical Commission of Scotland) he was secretary of the Joint Study Group (with the Scottish Episcopal Church
) from 1968 to 1976, and was a member of the Joint Commission on Christian Marriage, and of the Dialogue on the Mutual Recognition of Baptism (both with the Church of Scotland
). He was a translator and consultant to the Catholic Church's International Commission on English in the Liturgy
from 1969 and was a member of its advisory committee from 1972 to 1976. In 1987 Cardinal
Keith O'Brien
appointed him Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism
in the Archdiocese of Edinburgh.
from 1963-1967. He wrote articles, reviews and pamphlets on theological and doctrinal matters, contributed articles to the New Catholic Encyclopedia
and A Catholic Dictionary of Theology, and published The Theoogy of the Eucharist in 1973.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, theologian and hymnwriter.
Early life and education
Born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, he was educated at St. Aloysius' College, Glasgow
St. Aloysius' College, Glasgow
St. Aloysius' College is a selective fee-paying independent Jesuit school in Glasgow, Scotland. It was founded in 1859, and named after the famous Jesuit, Aloysius Gonzaga. Its strong Jesuit ethos emphasises practice of the Roman Catholic faith both in the church and in the community, with many...
(1926–1935) and at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
(1935–1939), achieving honours with an MA in Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
. He entered the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
as a novice
Novice
A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. The term is most commonly applied in religion and sports.-Buddhism:In many Buddhist orders, a man or woman who intends to take ordination must first become a novice, adopting part of the monastic code indicated in the vinaya and...
(1939–1941) and studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at Heythrop College
Heythrop College
Heythrop College is the specialist philosophy and theology constituent college of the University of London situated in Kensington Square, Kensington, London. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in philosophy, theology and psychology, as well as research in related fields.It was founded...
, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
(1941–1944). Quinn became Classics Master at Preston Catholic College (1944–1948) before returning to Heythrop College to complete his studies in Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
(1948–1952).
Career
He was ordained priest at Stonyhurst CollegeStonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
on 9 September 1950. After serving a tertianship
Tertianship
Tertianship is the final formal period of formation in the Society of Jesus. The Provincial usually invites men to begin Tertianship three to five years after finishing Formation or Graduate Studies...
at St. Beuno’s College
St Beuno's
St Beuno's Ignatian Spirituality Centre, known locally as St Beuno's College is a grade II* listed building and Jesuit college in Tremeirchion, Denbighshire, Wales. It was the home of the Victorian poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins.- Origins :...
, North Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
(1952–1953), he became Classics Master at Wimbledon College
Wimbledon College
Wimbledon College is a government-maintained voluntary-aided Jesuit Roman Catholic high school for boys aged 11 to 19. The school is based at Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London. It was founded in 1892 "for improvement in living and learning to the greater glory of God and the common good"...
(1954–1955) and was then appointed to the Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1955. He served as prefect of studies in the novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
1963-1966 and after a further period at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart is one of the most famous religious devotions to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of His divine love for Humanity....
, was seconded as spiritual director
Spiritual direction
Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters of the divine, or how he or she is experiencing...
to the Beda College, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
(1976–1980). He then returned to Sacred Heart parish for a third term.
Ecumenical Emphasis
Fr Quinn was especially involved in ecumenical matters. In the Secretariat for Promoting Christian UnityPontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962–1965.Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement...
, he was observer at the General Assembly of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
World Alliance of Reformed Churches
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches is a fellowship of more than 200 churches with roots in the 16th-century Reformation, and particularly in the theology of John Calvin...
at Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
in 1964, was consultor to the Secretariat 1968-1973, and was consultant at the World Council of Churches Faith and Order meeting at Louvain
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, in 1972 and at the fourth session of the SPCU/WARC dialogues at Zeist
Zeist
Zeist is a municipality and a town in the central Netherlands, located east of the city of Utrecht.-Population centres :*Austerlitz*Bosch en Duin*Den Dolder*Huis ter Heide*Zeist- The town of Zeist :...
, Holland, in 1973. In the British Council of Churches he participated in its Faith and Order Conference in 1964 and in its Church Leaders’ Conference in 1972; and, on behalf of the Scottish Catholic Hierarchy, was consultant/observer from 1966 and consultant to the board of its division of Ecumenical Affairs from 1975. In the Commission for Christian Unity (formerly the National Ecumenical Commission of Scotland) he was secretary of the Joint Study Group (with the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
) from 1968 to 1976, and was a member of the Joint Commission on Christian Marriage, and of the Dialogue on the Mutual Recognition of Baptism (both with the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
). He was a translator and consultant to the Catholic Church's International Commission on English in the Liturgy
International Commission on English in the Liturgy
The International Commission on English in the Liturgy is a commission set up by a number of episcopal conferences of English-speaking countries for the purpose of providing English translations of the liturgical books of the Roman Rite, the originals of which are in Latin.Decisions to adopt these...
from 1969 and was a member of its advisory committee from 1972 to 1976. In 1987 Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Keith O'Brien
Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien
Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien is a Scottish Cardinal and the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh of the Roman Catholic Church. O'Brien is currently the only living Cardinal from Scotland....
appointed him Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
in the Archdiocese of Edinburgh.
Consultancy and Writing
Fr. Quinn was a member of the Scottish Religious Advisory Committee of the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
from 1963-1967. He wrote articles, reviews and pamphlets on theological and doctrinal matters, contributed articles to the New Catholic Encyclopedia
New Catholic Encyclopedia
The New Catholic Encyclopedia is a multi-volume reference work on Roman Catholic history and belief edited by the faculty of The Catholic University of America and originally published by McGraw-Hill in 1967...
and A Catholic Dictionary of Theology, and published The Theoogy of the Eucharist in 1973.
Hymns
He was one of the leading 20th century hymnwriters and produced two collections: New Hymns for All Seasons (1969) and Praise for All Seasons: the hymns of James Quinn SJ (1994). Hymns from both collections are in use by Christian denominations throughout the world. Some of his better-known hymns are:- "Let all be one in mind and heart"
- "Sing all creation, sing to God in gladness"
- "How deep the riches of our God"
- "Day is done, but Love unfailing"
- "Lord, bid your servant go in peace"
- "Easter glory fills the sky"
- "Peace with the Father, peace with Christ his Son"
- "Father of mercy, God of consolation"
- "May flights of angels lead you on your way"
- "This is my will, my one command"
- "This day God gives me strength of high heaven"
- "Forth in the peace of Christ we go"
- "I am the holy vine"
- "The bread that we break"
Sources
- A Companion to Together in SongTogether in SongTogether in Song: Australian Hymn Book II was published in 1999. It is a book of 783 psalms, hymns and spiritual songs for use in Christian worship in Australia and elsewhere. It is a significant revision of The Australian Hymn Book published 22 years earlier.It was created by an ecumenical...
, Wesley Milgate and D’Arcy Wood, The Australian Hymn BookAustralian Hymn BookThe Australian Hymn Book was published in 1977, and was the culmination of almost ten year's work by an ecumenical committee, chaired by A. Harold Wood, intent on producing a new, contemporary and inclusive hymn book that could be used in worship by the varied Christian congregations across...
Pty Ltd, SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, 2006.