Catholic

Dear friends,

For more than thirty years, my music has reached listeners around the world, often offering peace, comfort, and space to breathe. The photo above was taken at a recent concert in Slovenia—my wife’s family homeland—where I was invited to perform and help raise awareness for congenital heart disease. Standing there was deeply moving, knowing that children born today with the same condition I had are now being saved through medical advances that did not exist when I was young. In God’s providence, the very wound that shaped my life has become a way to serve and connect with others.

I was born with a severe congenital heart defect and spent much of my childhood in hospitals. Those early experiences taught me how fragile—and sacred—life truly is. Music became a refuge for me as a teenager, especially after the loss of a close friend. At the piano, grief slowly gave way to melody, and I began to understand how God can draw meaning and beauty from suffering.

Fourteen years ago, after meeting my wife Tina, I began attending Mass with her family. Over time, I came to love the beauty, reverence, and truth of the Catholic faith. Many of these experiences were shared with my mother-in-law, a Slovenian immigrant, as we journeyed together to sacred places such as the Holy Land and Medjugorje.

Today, we are parishioners at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, where the rhythm of the liturgy continues to deepen my relationship with Christ. Coming from deep Mormon roots—my ancestors were contemporaries of Joseph Smith—I was surprised to learn of his respectful exchanges with Father John George Alleman in the 1840s. Their conversations about the Mass revealed an unexpected bridge between my family history and the ancient faith I now cherish.

As I continue this journey of faith, healing, and music, I carry gratitude, humility, and trust in the melodies God places in my heart. I invite you to listen and see whether the peace that has carried me might also bless you.

Sincerely,
Paul Cardall