A Calling Born from Misery
(this story was told in three parts)
by Father Robert P. Maloney, C. M., (former Superior
General)
This is a story about Jose Montaño, a very talented
musician. Father Maloney reports this story in Jose's own
words.
I was born in a mining area, near Potosi. My parents
were miners from their youth. They met at the pit and they
fell in love. They put their hope in the extraction of
metals. In the pit they dreamed of having their own home
and enough to feed and educate the children that God would
give them.
They were miners, but even better musicians. They
composed at the rhythm of pit work. The music and words of
their songs were the expression of people living in the
darkness, even if in other places there was daylight.
Through harmony and verses they expressed the wishes of a
people whose aspirations were that having daylight would be
normal for everyone. Or at least, their sacrifice in the
pit would mean a better life for their descendants.
They gave free concerts for their co-workers. At the end
of a work day they gathered around a pot. During meals and
rest time they listened happily and with nostalgia to the
miners' laments. But on Saturdays and Sundays well-to-do
people applauded them in "camp nº 1" at Potosi. They
brought their songs to other regions too but never had any
real success. Once, someone took interest in their music
and recorded records and cassettes, but they were not very
successful. Perhaps these themes only interest those who
live them.
When I was 6 years old I thought I should no longer
burden my family with childish demands so I left home. I
started looking for a job to be able to earn some money and
help my mother who was constantly complaining of a pain in
her right lung. Not long after that she lost it.
Nonetheless, she found a job composing music and singing.
In this job, she started drinking and it was rare to see her
well anymore. It's not necessary to say how she finished.
I found a job at a confectioner's shop. At my age, they
could not pay much. I started washing dishes, earned food
and a few dollars, and I was allowed to go to school.
Later, as a waiter, my income was better. When there were
some leftovers they gave them to me for my brothers. For
two years I always gave some money to my mother. But the
confectioner's shop closed and I found myself unemployed and
without a place to live. For a while some friends in the
street helped me survive. I did not think for a moment of
going back home. I do not know if it was out of fear, or
because I was used to living alone.
Part 2
Our story continues as Jose meets Sister Stephanie one
evening. Sister Stephanie, who gives food to the street children,
invited me to go to the "Amanecer" program at Sayaricuy.
Though fearful, I accepted, and went to a house for homeless
children. Later I was transferred to "St. Vincent's Hotel"
for older children. For four years I completely forgot
about my family, partly because of the comfort in which I
was living and partly for fear of going back home.
One day, I was entrusted to the care of Pedro Cuba by
Sister Francin, the Sister in charge of the home. Little by
little they convinced me I had to go back to my family.
Sister Francin and Pedro came with me to see my parents. My
mother suggested that I come back home but, seeing the
situation there, I decided to remain at St. Vincent's. Even
though I did not live at home, I started a new and deeper
relationship with my family.
When I went to see my family, they were practicing their
musical compositions. I was very impressed to hear them
play so well. I asked them if it was good to play music,
because everybody talked so badly about musicians: "They say
they are drunks, live badly, and they only go on sprees."
For me, those who played in pubs and cafes had bad
reputations.
My father told me it was very good to be a musician, and
my mother encouraged me to attain what they could not. I
was determined to learn folk music. I joined a small group
that was starting off.
My mother was very happy to learn I played old
instruments and had become part of a musical group that was
very successful. During my visits I discovered that
something was very wrong with my mother. She was constantly
in pain. Still, she was happy and liked to sing.
A little later I formed my own musical group and was
doing very well. My mother was very proud of me. After
returning from a concert in Trinidad, my mother's health was
failing. Not long after, she became very ill and died.
Part 3
Our story continues just after Jose lost his mother. A week after my mother died I had a concert. I
hesitated whether to go or not. But I went and sang with
all my heart, as I never did before. I have very deep
within me music and folklore, because in them are those whom
I love.
When my mother died, my family lost interest in music
and left it for a while. With my savings I bought my father
a guitar and a charango. Now he plays again, and it moves
me very deeply when I hear him singing his life and his
dreams.
He is very sick with terminal cancer. I know he could
go soon. He asked me to promise him something. "Son, if
you fulfilled your mother's wish, you have to do something
for me, too. I want you to put in my tomb the guitar and
charango that you gave me. And take your brothers with you
to the Amanecer program to learn how to play what our
ancestors left us."
For music, I go wherever I am asked and with anyone. I
have been very lucky not to have learned music where they
teach it with electronics and have forgotten our native
ways. For me there will never be any other music but ours.
I want to conclude by saying what my music means to me.
When I was struck by life, there was always
something that helped me to get through. I felt I had
something important to do. I do not know the notes or
musical rules, but I know how to play and sing what I
learned from my people. It is something fascinating for
me. In it my ancestors found a sense for their lives. I
have a feeling that with the music of the traditional
Bolivian instruments, one finds the very special gift of
God for the poor.
At the end of the story Father Maloney adds a reflection
of his own.
At 17, Jose Montano waits for opportunities, accompanying
and helping with his musical gifts whoever asks him. He
plays at Masses, celebrations, and concerts. He waits
calmly for the time to fulfill his promise to his father.
He hopes to help his brothers to be able to survive. Once
his promises are fulfilled he could dedicate himself
entirely to his music, the traditional Bolivian music.
Without any doubt his ancestors live in his music. In
every note and word his songs breathe the spirit of his
family and people. The hollows left by poverty in his life
are filled by his aspirations to get from music what other
members of his family could not. The biggest thing that the
houses of the Amanecer program have given him is not food,
nor education, but a return to his own family and people,
the ability to recover his own identity.
The life of Jose Montano makes me reflect on so many
emigrant children, from the country to the city. Today,
scattered and abandoned to their luck, they walk the
principal streets of Bolivia. I hope you do not ask me
whether or not I believe it useful to start new Amanecer
programs. I only wish to share a question that I cannot
answer yet: What would have become of Jose Montano if he
had not found the humble support of "Amanecer"?
A Call for You
In the past, the Association has helped American missionaries in Taiwan or Kenya and
other worldwide missions of the Vincentians. If you would like to make a donation to help
the foreign missions continue their good work, you can do so by contacting the Association.
It is an opportunity for you to answer Christ's call to "make disciples of all nations."
Jesus said to his disciples, "But when the Son of Man comes,
will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) Vincentian missionaries bring the faith to the
remotest and poorest places of the earth. And you can help them.
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