Harmony in Hardship: Benin City Archdiocese Choirs Launch 'Jubilee Year of Hope' on St. Cecilia’s Feast

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

​The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City officially inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Hope for Choristers on the Feast of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music.

 This significant event was a blend of spiritual reflection, cultural celebration, and ministerial rededication, focusing on transforming the choir's role into a powerful vehicle for faith and healing in contemporary society.

​The Ministering Voice: Hope in a Time of Crisis

​The day's central message—calling on choir members to view their role not as performance but as a crucial ministry—was delivered by the Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Omogiate, Dean of Benin City and Chairman of the Archdiocesan Jubilee Year of Hope Committee.

​Fr. Omogiate strongly emphasized the choir's vital function in the contemporary Nigerian context, which is currently marked by violence, economic uncertainty, kidnapping, killings, and spiritual fatigue. 

He asserted that the choristers' voices must act as essential "instruments of healing" during these hardships. He sharply distinguished true hope from optimism: "Hope is not optimism; hope is the assurance that God’s promise will not fail." He challenged the choristers, saying, "Choristers preach hope not with homilies, but with harmony. You remind the faithful that heaven is possible and near." Drawing inspiration from St. Cecilia, who "sang in her heart to the Lord" even in the midst of suffering, he underscored that their ministry must seek transformation over mere applause. Fr. Omogiate concluded by describing the choir as a "school of communion," where differences blend into a greater harmony, serving as a visible sign of peace.

 Enhancing Hope Through Liturgical Music: The Keynote

​The event was intellectually grounded by a keynote lecture titled "Enhancing Hope through Liturgical Music," delivered by Mr. Rownick A. I. Enebeli, a highly accomplished music professional, composer, and founder of the Benin City Chorale.

​Mr. Enebeli defined hope as a feeling of trust and expectation that something positive will happen, citing Romans 8:24-25 as its foundational place in Christian faith. To enhance hope means to intensify this feeling, increasing a person's confidence in God's love and mercy. He then defined liturgical music according to Sacrosanctum Concilium (the Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy), stating it is music created specifically for the celebration of divine worship, possessing a unique "holy sincerity of form" that supports the spiritual dimension of the Mass.

​How Music Fosters Hope in the Liturgy

​Mr. Enebeli outlined several ways liturgical music enhances hope, based on the teachings of the Vatican II document: by fostering unity and community through shared faith; by enabling the people’s active participation; and through inclusivity and inculturation, which encourages incorporating local musical traditions to "express and foster the Christian spirit." 

He clarified that inculturation is the process of a religion assimilating local cultural elements—like incorporating traditional African music—to make the faith more meaningful, distinct from acculturation (adopting another group's culture) and enculturation (learning one's own culture). He noted that music during Mass provides things to hope for, such as the presence of God and the strengthening of faith.

​Challenges that Hinder Hope:

​However, Mr. Enebeli also highlighted several crucial challenges that can undermine the choir’s ability to inspire hope through music.

 One major issue is the presence of hatred and strife among choir members or worshippers, which makes it difficult to foster the sense of peace and unity essential to the liturgy, causing the atmosphere of the Mass to become tense and negative.

 Furthermore, political division among members can lead to a lack of unity within the choir, undermining their harmony and distracting them from their primary mission of supporting the liturgy.

 The Gen Z perception/driving presents another challenge, as younger singers may struggle to see the relevance of traditional liturgical music, preferring contemporary styles that use casual language. This preference can create a disconnect with older generations who favor formal, traditional language, potentially hindering community building. Finally, the improper use of equipment, particularly microphones, is concerning, as they are often used inappropriately and disruptively during choral singing at Mass, failing to serve as a mere tool for amplification.

 Ceremony and Commissioning:

​The ceremony itself was marked by the presence of Very Rev. Fr. James Chima (Okosisi), the National Coordinator/Chaplain of Catholic Choir in Nigeria, signifying national recognition.

 The collective choirs delivered a series of scintillating musical performances, and a notable Awards Ceremony honored individuals who have distinguished themselves over many decades in supporting the growth of the Archdiocesan Choir.

 The event concluded with the choristers being formally commissioned into the Jubilee Year, called to sing with purity, dedication, and the courage of St. Cecilia.