By TWE News Desk

The Unity Choir of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos gathered at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Anguldi, on November 22 to celebrate the feast of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and choirs. The event served as a moment of reflection, unity, and spiritual renewal for choristers across the Archdiocese.

The feast day, observed annually, began with prayers for deceased choir members and a celebration of the life of Saint Cecilia. Known for her unwavering faith and love for music, Saint Cecilia dedicated her life to God and inspired countless Christians with her courage, even in the face of martyrdom.

Saint Cecilia, born into a wealthy family, was determined to devote her life to God. Despite being married against her will, she renewed her vow of virginity on her wedding night, with the support of her husband, Valeria. Both he and his brother later embraced Christianity and were martyred for their faith.

Saint Cecilia herself was brutally martyred after enduring three days of severe suffering. Her unwavering devotion and love for music earned her the title of patron saint of musicians and singers.

In his homily, Reverend Father Hilary Gyang, the Archdiocesan Chaplain for the Unity Choir, urged choristers to reflect on the purpose of their service to God.

“God has blessed us in different ways,” he said. “Do you carry out this service for the sake of the Kingdom, or do we carry it out to show off, promote self, or gain worldly things? Learn from Saint Cecilia, our patron saint. Let us harmonize our faith with our talent.”

Fr. Gyang reminded the choir of the power of music, saying, “Music has the power to uplift, the ability to heal, to inspire, and to unite us. If God has called us as choristers, it is so that we can sing praises unto Him, heal lives, uplift lives, and inspire lives. These are enough reasons to forget about whatever worldly gains come with it. Instead, we should give ourselves in totality for the sake of God’s Kingdom.”

He also stressed the importance of preparing for eternal life, adding, “Our relationship with God is the melody that harmonizes our lives. As we sing to God, we should also have a good relationship with Him.”

Fr. Gyang called on choristers to practice forgiveness, emphasizing its importance for personal and spiritual well-being.

“We sing together, sit together, and praise God, but some of us hold grudges and vow never to forgive. How can I carry a big human being in this small heart? The heart will break; it will burst,” he said, encouraging members to let go of past grievances and foster unity within the choir.

The celebration also featured remarks from Father Cyril Deshi, the Provincial Chaplain of Choristers, who highlighted the global significance of Saint Cecilia’s feast day.

“This celebration is not just local. It is coordinated at the national level by NACAMCON (National Catholic Music Association of Nigeria),” he explained.

Fr. Deshi encouraged choir members to cherish their talents and use them for God’s glory. “Let them love what they do; it was given to them freely. We sing praises to the Lord,” he said, referencing NACAMCON’s motto.

The President of the Unity Choir, Monica Obih spoke about the importance of honoring the choir’s deceased members and staying united as a group.

“As choristers, we sing to the glory of God. Let us put that first and shun anything that distracts us from our calling,” she said. “There are blessings attached to singing to God’s glory. I am a testament to that—not because I am the most worthy but because I try my best to sing for His glory.”

Obih also emphasized unity, saying, “It is my prayer that the choir will continue to sing to the glory of God and embrace unity, irrespective of the arm of the choir we belong to.”

The celebration ended with a Thanksgiving and the choir members reaffirming their commitment to following Saint Cecilia’s example by offering their talents for God’s glory and embracing a life of prayer, forgiveness, and unity.

The feast of Saint Cecilia continues to inspire choristers worldwide, reminding them of the power of music to heal, unite, and glorify God.