From Vice to Virtue: Singer-Songwriter Salem Farmand Finds Purpose through Faith and Music
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A Manhattan-based musician is using his talents to inspire faith and offer solace,a journey rooted in a profound spiritual awakening and a commitment to a life of virtue. Salem Joseph Farmand, 25, has become a familiar presence at church retreats and Mass celebrations, sharing his music and a powerful story of change.
A Turning Point in Florida
Farmand’s path toward dedicated faith began more than five years ago during a collage campus ministry retreat in Florida. The retreat,known as Fire Retreat and coordinated by the University of Florida’s Newman Center and FOCUS speakers,proved pivotal. “I had a profound encounter with Jesus in Adoration,” he recalled. “It was a moment of radical surrender, and I realized I wanted to live my life for Him.”
January 16 interview at the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Manhattan’s Washington Heights, Farmand spoke candidly about his early struggles. He described being introduced to harmful influences in his early teens,admitting,”I was exposed and encouraged to do bad things in the world that we live in now.” He wrestled with a sense of duplicity, attempting to reconcile a desire for faith with a life entangled in vice.
Farmand emphasized the importance of community in his journey toward change. “Being in community really helped,” he stated, noting that he began to cultivate virtue and deepen his prayer life while at the University of Florida, surrounded by others committed to spiritual growth. He credits this supportive environment with fostering his transformation.
Discipleship and Ministry in Manhattan
Currently, Farmand is actively involved with an Emmaus Journey chapter based at Good Shepherd Church in Manhattan’s Inwood section. This ministry, modeled after the biblical account in Luke 24:13-35, focuses on spiritual growth through discipleship, retreats, Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. Prior to his work with Emmaus Journey, Farmand contributed to fundraising efforts for the Archdiocese of New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations with a business focus from the University of Florida.
A Song for Peace, A Family’s Prayers
Farmand’s heritage is rooted in Palestinian and Lebanese ancestry, and he was born in Jacksonville, florida, the fifth of six children. His brother, George, served as his initial guitar tutor. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East deeply affects him, as he has second cousins residing in the west Bank.He shared that his family consistently includes them, and peace in the Holy Land, in their prayers, thankfully reporting that they have not been injured.
Reflecting this concern, Farmand has penned a song titled “Stop the Bleeding,” directly addressing the conflict.
A missionary Spirit Recognized
Julia Attaway, executive director at the Cabrini Shrine, lauded Farmand’s dedication to mission work, drawing parallels to the legacy of Mother Cabrini. “He’s great – he comes regularly here. He shows up with his wife and baby at noon Mass,” Attaway observed.She highlighted his ability to “open hearts and send people forth with some real hope,” adding that his “depth and integrity are unusual for someone his age.”
Music as a Pathway to Prayer
For Farmand,the ultimate purpose of his music is to deepen the listener’s connection to faith. “The most significant thing to me is that it draws people deeper in prayer,” he explained. “I love when a whole congregation is singing along with me – when everybody is lifting their voices to God.” His recent compositions, “Remain” and “Surrender,” explore the ongoing struggle with sin and the transformative power of divine grace. His music is readily available on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Farmand’s story serves as a testament to the power of faith, community, and the enduring hope found in a life dedicated to virtue.
