Robert J. Batastini

Robert J. Batastini is an American Roman Catholic pastoral musician, hymn editor, adapter, and publisher whose career has had a substantial influence on English-language congregational song. He began working at GIA Publications in 1967 and eventually served as vice president and senior editor. His editorial leadership included major editions of Worship and Gather as well as Catholic Community Hymnal and RitualSong. He also served for decades in parish music ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet.

Batastini became an important link between the Taizé Community and North American churches as GIA developed its role in distributing Taizé music. On October 7, 1983, while working with Brother Robert of Taizé and composer Jacques Berthier, Batastini adapted John 6:35 into the English refrain that became “Eat This Bread.” Berthier composed the music later that same day. The completed song appeared in Music from Taizé, volume 2, in 1984.

Batastini later received major honors for his work in liturgy and hymnody, including recognition from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and fellowship in The Hymn Society. His contribution to this hymn is best understood as scriptural adaptation and collaborative text work rather than translation of a pre-existing foreign-language hymn.