By Jessica Easthope
In her home studio in northwestern New Jersey, Karen Olson has found peace.
It’s not because of the quiet of her office or the nature she’s surrounded by—it’s her connection to God.
“I aspire to be living as a prayer,” said Olson. “It’s not just praying before I eat and at night. It’s kind of when I breathe. I really, really feel very connected to God. It’s my biggest intention.”
Karen’s illustrious career as a violist spans decades. Divine Echoes is her ninth album, and on it is a track based on the Prayer to St. Francis—words she’s related to since childhood.
“We spent our summers at this gorgeous lake in northern Minnesota,” said Olson. “Lake Vermilion. And so I really connected with nature. For me, Saint Francis represents God and nature and spirituality. And then we’re instruments of peace. And we’re instruments, because I really believe in the vibrations and the power of music. So it really brought together all the things that I love.”
The song is called Pilgrimage Prayer. Karen says her hope was to bring a new voice to the prayer and to share that voice with as many as possible.
“We’re on this journey to find more and more peace and happiness and love in our lives,” said Olson. “And to share it. And the music is a perfect medium and way to help us on that journey. And my prayer is that this reaches more people and it touches them.”
Karen’s own pilgrimage has led her to stages around the world, using her God-given talents to touch audiences and reaffirm her own faith. This album, and specifically Pilgrimage Prayer, has shaped a mission to evangelize.
“It’s really changed my life,” said Olson. “Transformational is the word I like. My favorite line: ‘That you’ll be born to eternal life.’ I wanted people to hear that line that maybe would never hear it any other way.”
The prayer, written anonymously in the voice of St. Francis, calls upon God: “Make me an instrument of your peace.”
“So here we all are,” said Olson. “You listening? Me creating. We are all creators of this prayer because we can make it. We can make it a part of our lives.”
All Karen wants is for the song to reach others. She’s given Pilgrimage Prayer to the world, and as the prayer says: “For it is in giving that one receives.”