Contact: Joe Higginbotham, Publisher, Saints Francis and Clare Press, Inc., 574-514-0395, joe@saintsfrancisandclarepress.com

MISHAWAKE, Ind., Feb. 20, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- A new Franciscan musical CD, "To You We Give All Praise," with accompanying songbook was recently released by Saints Francis and Clare Press, Inc., Mishawaka, Indiana. Catholic liturgist and musical composer, Joe Higginbotham, has set the prayers of St. Francis of Assisi to music. Higginbotham, a secular Franciscan, hopes that presenting these prayers in musical form will help fellow Christians become familiar with Francis's prayers. The project includes some original scores by Higginbotham as well as familiar chant melodies. The result is an inspirational mix of new and familiar tunes that bring Francis's spirit of devotion and love for God to the listener.

The CD was professionally recorded with artists Stacie Bert and Fr. Bob Lengerich, pastor of St. Dominic's Church in Bremen, Indiana. Although originally intended for Franciscan fraternities, the CD has been well received by a wider audience. The simple but rich texts of Francis's prayers, combined with the melodic voices of Bert and Lengerich, make this CD appealing to anyone who appreciates fine music with a spiritual theme. "Joe Higginbotham expresses well in music the spirit of Francis' prayer. 'To You we Give All Praise' is a welcome and needed addition to sung prayer of all seeking a closer union with God." -- Fr. Charles Faso, OFM

For more information and to see other new titles produced by Higginbotham, please visit franciscanmuisic.com. "To You We Give All Praise" is also available on iTunes.