A Musical Gift for the Basilian Bicentennial

In celebration of their Bicentennial, the Basilian Fathers in the Houston area were treated to a musical performance of the Congregation’s motto. St. Thomas High School teacher, Joshua Wilson, composed a four-part harmony for the Psalm 119, ‘Lord Teach Me’, from which the Basilian motto ‘Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge,’ is derived. “That prayer from the liturgy of the hours seemed to be the perfect text for a choral piece for men’s voices,” said Wilson.

The piece premiered at the school’s annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service on November 18, 2022, and was sung by the school choir, the St. Thomas Singers. The premier lined up with the Basilians’ 200th anniversary of their founding celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Plaque with Basilian Motto displayed in STHS’ main corridor

Wilson was inspired to compose the piece from a plaque with Psalm 119 engraved that is displayed in the school’s main corridor near the front entrance. “The Basilian motto, ‘Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge’ has become the motto of my own life, or at least what I aspire to,” he said.

As he was composing the piece, he reflected on his 20 years spent teaching at St. Thomas and his children who have benefited from the Basilian ministry. “The Basilian Fathers have in supported my family spiritually and materially in many ways over these years. I don’t have much to give, but it was my hope to contribute this piece as a gift to honor the legacy and work of the Basilians on the occasion of this bicentennial anniversary,” said Wilson.

“I think it is great that this piece of music will be performed many times over the coming years. One more way of identifying our motto with the lives of faculty and students,” said Father Ron Schwenzer, CSB, who attended the premier.