Download The Eucharist Is Our Highway to Heaven

A musician of the Metuchen Diocese has partnered with the first millennial saint to create a hymn proclaiming their shared love of the Eucharist. Entitled “The Eucharist is our Highway to Heaven,” the hymn was composed by St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish’s William Berg using lyrics he adapted from the writings of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

The local celebration of the young saint’s canonization had been slated for Sept. 7, but learning the focus for the diocesan Back to School Mass would be on the life of the then-Blessed Carlo, Berg was inspired to finish the hymn a week early. Composing the hymn’s verses proved to be a challenge since the late teen had left few writings.

“I researched him on the internet,” Berg explained, “and called those in charge of the travelling panels display (known as the Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit). So many of his quotes came from prayer cards and his website and were translated from the Italian language.”

Gathering input from fellow musicians and others, he rehearsed the final version with the congregation before the Aug. 27 back-to-school Mass and was rewarded with the sound of the assembly’s enthusiastic participation. Berg explained, “If you understand what you are singing, the congregation will sing it better and participate more.”

Berg earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton; a master’s degree in Church music and organ from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and a certificate from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Liturgy, Sant’Anselmo, Rome. He is beginning his 20th year as music director and principal organist in St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish.

Berg reported that a number of teachers present at the Mass requested copies of the yet-to-be-published work, written for guitar and organ, and he would be pleased to comply. The hymn will next be sung by the St. Augustine Children’s Choir at the Sept. 7 diocesan Mass to mark the canonization of both Blessed Carlo and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Berg’s praise for his late, saintly co-composer was fervent. “Blessed Carlo’s love for Jesus in the Eucharist was beyond amazing,” he declared.

Berg can be reached at musicdir@staugustinenj.org.

This article appears in The Catholic Spirit, Sept. issue, and was written by Christina Leslie, Contributing Editor.