The Singer & the Song: An Autobiography of the Spirit

by Miriam Therese Winter

This spiritual memoir of a remarkable woman -- musician, author, missionary -- will inspire anyone interested in living a life of love and service.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

180 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Miriam Therese Winter will be speaking at a conference I will attend this summer, so I thought I would check out her autobiography. My earliest memory of knowing her work was with the children's choir I directed while in college (early 1970s)--one of their favorite songs was "I cannot come to the banquet" from Winter's collection "Joy is Like the Rain."The drama of the song and its folk-like character was a natural fit for them.

Winter entered a convent of Medical Missionary Sisters hoping to be a doctor, but was quickly diverted to music, liturgy, and spirituality. She did serve with her sisters on four continents in medical emergencies and in refugee camps, She has written songs and hymns, taught in a seminary, and written feminist books of poetry and spirituality. This book is a wonderful blend of autobiography, slice of history (as Vatican II went into effect in the US), and spiritual reflection on the paths Winter was led on. I look forward to hearing and meeting her this summer.

[Trudie Barreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always worthwhile to revisit books I have loved in the past, especially memoirs from people who have in some way played a pivotal part in my own developing worldview. Miriam Therese Winter and the albums of songs by the Medical Mission Sister of which she is the primary source, are very high up in that category. As it happens, one of my daughters and I were reminiscing about some of those songs (which are now available on YouTube and other digitized platforms), and that reminded me I really wanted to refresh my acquaintance with the composer’s wonderfully articulated memoir. Unable to immediately locate it in my library, I ordered it on Kindle, which in any event is easier for me to read now with my aging vision. The book is just as wonderful as I remembered, not only full of anecdotes about Winter’s far-flung missionary work in Africa, India and elsewhere, but also providing more wealth of her personal spiritual journey, including but not limited to the lyrics of her well-loved songs and the feelings and perceptions which led to their composition. A wonderful book, even if one is not familiar with her music, but even more valuable if one cherishes it, as I do!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janis Ian's fabulous reading of this book transforms it into a great listening experience. Winter structures her memoir with a personal recollection--how she became a nun and her experiences around the world--followed by a spiritual lesson, followed by a song, usually one she composed. Ian's reading is so welcoming and low key that she draws listeners into the story of Winter's exceptional life and makes the spiritual lessons relatable. The music is, of course, outstanding. Breezy, passionate, persuasive, candid, and filled with humorous personal touches, this memoir moves at an easy pace.