Catholic singer Marie Miller released a new album, "The Way of Love," inspired by Saint Therese of Lisieux.
The pop-folk singer, who sang for Pope Francis and opened concerts for the Backstreet Boys and Five for Fighting, dropped the five-song album in late May.
The album's songs include "The Way of Love," "Among These Rocks," "Take Lord, Receive," "Sweet Company," and "Woman."
ChurchPOP editor Jacqueline Burkepile sat down with Miller to discuss her album and career as a pop-folk singer, songwriter, and musician.
Here's the interview with Marie Miller below:
Miller started her career at 16 years old when she was signed to Curb Records in Nashville, Tenn. She went on to create music, including the 2014 pop song "6'2," which is about finding your future husband.
Miller now hopes to reach even more listeners with "The Way of Love," her new album based on Saint Therese of Lisieux's life and writings.
"[Saint Therese] has been such an inspiration to me in my life, so I wanted to write a song about her and her teaching," Miller explains.
"I was reading one of her quotes where she says, 'How sweet is the way of love,' which is a very singable line. She also talks about, in this kind of longer passage, how sweet is the way of love– that you may fail, you may fall, but God will take even those things and guide you on your way and he'll use that as stepping stones," she continues.
Miller then says that Saint Therese is "a saint for sinners," and helps her "tell the story of Jesus," "even in my brokenness."
The singer also explained the inspiration behind the album's unique sound. She said her biggest sound inspiration is Christian singer Nichole Nordeman.
"There's not a ton of Catholic singer-songwriters. I grew up loving pop and folk music. This album--I didn't try to follow any trend," she said. "This is a little throwback soundwise, but I just thought, 'Here I'm just going to do exactly what I want to do.' And so I did."
Listen to "The Way of Love" (acoustic version) below:
Miller adds that she is "super excited" about "The Way of Love Musical Presentations," where she "interweaves Saint Therese's life and teachings with each song."
"I've been doing these at women's conferences and I just love it so much," she says. "Hopefully, I'll come to whatever city, parish, or town you are in and do that."