Blending sacred tradition with musical richness, the Santa Cecilia Choir of Rachol Seminary presented an Easter-themed concert, “Dut Mhoje Zayat,” on April 26, offering a reflective evening where faith, history, and harmony resonated through choral and orchestral excellence
The Santa Cecilia Choir of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol presented a concert of sacred music on Sunday, April 26, at the Rachol Seminary. Themed “Dut Mhoje Zayat” - Be My Disciples, the evening was inspired by the Easter Season and the words of the Risen Lord: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). Most Rev Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão graced the occasion as Chief Guest, with Rev Fr José (Joe) Adrião Rodrigues and Seby Fernandes attending as Guests of Honour. The Rector of the Seminary, Rev Dr Donato Rodrigues, delivered the Welcome Address, setting a warm tone for the evening ahead.
The concert comprised of 43 singers and 29 musicians performing on violins, cellos, double basses, flutes, organ, tabla and manjira - a combination that gave the music a distinct character, weaving together the Western classical tradition with the gentle rhythms of India. Each piece in the programme was thoughtfully arranged to reflect the historical developments of the Rachol Seminary over time, tracing through music the rich spiritual and cultural journey of this great institution. The choir was conducted throughout by Rev Fr Mathew Rebello, music teacher at the Seminary.
The programme opened with the meditative Lux Iucunda, a Gregorian Chant that eased the audience into quiet attentiveness. This was followed by Mozart’s Veni Sancte Spiritus, radiant and full of life. The choir then offered two beloved Konkani devotional pieces - Sant Antoni Bhokta and Sam Sebastianv Bhokta, a traditional hymn arranged by Fr Mathew Rebello, and Inasa Ixtta Jezuchea, arranged by Fr Romeo Monteiro - both of which resonated warmly with the audience. Fr Bernardo Cota’s I Will Give You Shepherds brought the first half of the concert to a close, after which a short break followed.
The second half opened with an address by His Eminence Most Rev Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão. He said that there has been a shift from “mere audience to gathering of worshipers” during the concert. He also reminded everyone that sacred music is like saying yes to the mystery of God. He appreciated all the hard-work put in by Fr Mathew and his team for organising the concert ended by saying that we all ought to seek God not only in music but also in the quiet melodies of our life.
The music then resumed with Msgr V Miserachs Grau’s Cantantibus Organis. This was followed by the moving Ogonnit Kaklutichea Deva, arranged by Fr Romeo Monteiro. César Franck’s Panis Angelicus was received with particular appreciation, its melody carrying a quiet, enduring beauty. The title piece, Dut Mhoje Zayat - melody by Fr Joseph Rodrigues and arranged by Fr Mathew Rebello - stood as the heart of the evening, gathering within it the full spirit of the concert’s theme. The Vote of Thanks was then delivered by Fr Mathew Rebello, whose steady direction had shaped the ensemble’s performance through the course of the evening. The night drew to a gentle close with Regina Caeli by Fr Lourdino Barreto, with orchestration by Fr Romeo Monteiro, and Salve Regina by Msgr Renzo Cilia.
The choir comprised sopranos Ingrid Gracias, Bernadina Vales, Maria Gisela de A Pereira, Alfreeda Menezes, Ranisa Azavedo, Doyle Dias, Aliyah Rodrigues, Dewrel Mendes, Sistine Menezes, Ancella Barretto and Preeti Ana Coutinho; altos Sharmila Gracias, Vanya Pereira, Simran Alira Rodrigues, Jacqueline Menezes, Trisha Marina Fernandes, Stacy Carmel Fernandes, Deepti Coutinho, Dane Cheryl Gomes, Agnes Noronha and Janice Edna Gomes; tenors Ryan Mascarenhas, Valentine Alvares, Joephil Dias, Melwin Fernandes, Hilario De Lima, Benjamin Monserrate, George Dias, Bloyd Dias, Valente Da Costa, Carl Menezes and Anthony Britto; and basses Jean da Cruz Fernandes, Abraham Fernandes, Joynus Valieston Fernandes, Jayson Colaco, Leo Fernandes, Fluino Carvalho, Caron Cardozo, Armstrong P de Menezes, Baylon Dias, Cranston Vaz and Snyter Pereira.
The orchestra featured Violin I players Judyline Fernandes, Maria Sancha de A Pereira, Priyanka Pereira, Shanaya Carvalho, Marc Desmond Rodrigues and Johan J Quadros; Violin II players Karen Coelho, Vailinni Fernandes, Tyson da Costa, Swezel Costa, Velerio Mascarenhas and Rhea Elvira Dias; Violin III players Jayden Jeremiah Vas, Eryn Claris Mascarenhas, Eva Marie Mascarenhas, Nathan Arcanjo Fernandes, Nyron Naik and Mabelle Pia Mascarenhas; cellists Alvaro de A Pereira, Robert da Cruz Fernandes and Brendon D'Costa; double bassists Jesus Rodrigues, Vozlar Pereira and Roblan Mascarenhas; flutists Avinash Fernandes and Clifton Sequeira; tabla player Yatin Talaulikar; organist Deborah Pereira; and Caron Cardozo on the manjira. The evening was compèred by Stacy Fernandes and Deacon Ryan Mascarenhas, who guided the audience gracefully through the programme.
The concert was, by every measure, a fitting tribute to the Easter Season and to the long tradition of priestly formation at the Rachol Seminary - where music and faith, as they so often do in Goa, spoke beautifully as one, echoing the history and spirit of this institution that has shaped the Church in Goa for centuries.
