Michael Joncas

Michael Joncas is a liturgical composer, author, speaker, and professor who is perhaps best known for his song "On Eagle's Wings."

He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a master's degree in theology and liturgical studies. Michael also graduated summa cum laude with degrees in liturgical studies from Pontificio Istituto Liturgico of the Ateneo Sant'Anselmo.

From 1980 to 1984, he was associate pastor with Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Maplewood, Minnesota. Following that assignment, he was campus minister and education director for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1987. Next, from 1987 to 1991, he was focused on graduate study in Rome. From 1991 to 1993, he was a parochial administrator at St. Cecilia's Parish in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Michael has published three books, titled The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Liturgy and Sacraments, Preaching the Rites of Christian Initiation and From Sacred Song to Ritual Music. Over 100 of his articles have appeared in publications such as Worship, Pastoral Music and Ecclesia Orans. He also has over 20 collections of liturgical music.

He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.