Father Stan Fortuna found a way to put together his life’s two callings, music and the priesthood, in ways that help him reach out to young people. Fortuna, an accomplished bassist who plays and records with a professional jazz trio called Scola Tristano, also pursues a solo career—as a rap artist.

He first heard rap when he was a seminarian working in Spanish Harlem. He told National Catholic Reporter, “I thought, ‘Holy smokes, these guys are phenomenal.’ I was deeply moved by the spontaneity of it.” Father Stan calls his rap and other compositions “the message of the Gospel wrapped up in music.” In 1987 he established a company, Francesco Productions, the profits of which support his ministry, including the South Bronx Youth Cultural Centre. Through concerts, CDs, DVDs, talks, books, and sermons, he gets a message of faith out to young people.

His community, New York City’s Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, have given him their support. “Thank God for my community,” Fortuna says. “They said, ‘God gave you this gift. Use it.’ I thought I was done playing music when I became a priest.” Fortuna also traces his inspiration to Pope John Paul II and the late pontiff’s concern for youth and culture.

Visit Francesco Productions at www.francescoproductions.com and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at www.franciscanfriars.com.