We’ve been fans of Brother Isaiah and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for years, but somehow we missed this fantastic little Catholic pop song. “Come, Follow Me” is an upbeat, laid back tune from Brother Isaiah’s 2018 album Poco a Poco.
The song is largely driven by the rhythm of the vocals, set to a bouncing guitar line. Brother Isaiah’s signature style has him throwing out lyrics at a rapid pace. For all his quick-witted words, however, the tune never feels rushed. It brings to mind the 2009 hit song “How Far Is Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys.
The video is just as much fun as the song. Starting off at 6:00 a.m., the video moves through a day in the life of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. We see Brother Isaiah and his brothers attending Mass, sharing breakfast and washing dishes in their stereotypically spartan Franciscan housing.
As the day progresses, the Franciscans load up their car with equipment and head out to a show. The venue is a gorgeous New York City church that is packed with faithful. The viewer is treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the band setting up and praying before the performance. After the show, the cameras follow Brother Isaiah back to the house, where his brothers make popcorn to celebrate another successful show.
We loved this video as much for the enjoyable music as for its great evangelical value. To men who are grappling with vocational discernment, the life of a friar can seem mysterious and demanding. Seeing the friars enjoying themselves in their work throughout the day is a wonderful way to spread the faith and perhaps even attract vocations.
Brother Isaiah’s cool acoustic style is one of the best Catholic acts on the market. Driven by his faith community, Brother Isaiah’s music and lyrics show a superb dedication to his faith and his craft. We can’t wait to hear what he’ll release next.
