December 11, 2008

An offering

The Ateneo de Manila University's 149th anniversary yesterday was simply commemorated with a Mass in the evening. It was a school day after all. Last Sunday, however, there was a concert at the Church of the Gesù which gathered all of the music groups of the university and the Jesuit Music Ministry for the first time ever. "Take and Receive: The First Festival of Ateneo Music" featured the Ateneo Boys Choir, Dulaang Sibol, High School Glee Club, College Glee Club, Chamber Singers, Blue Symphony, Bukas Palad, Himig Heswita and Musica Chiesa. Each group performed only two or three songs each, but the concert was still two and a half hours. The grand finale was all the university choirs singing a special medley of "Take and Receive" specially arranged for the concert by Ryan Cayabyab, one of the Philippines' foremost music directors. "Take and Receive" is a liturgical song written by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ which is based on a prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Take and Receive: The First Festival of Ateneo Music

St. Ignatius' Prayer of Surrender
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.

8 comments:

  1. belle photo dans cette église, l'orchestre est impressionnant, surtout avec tous ces chœurs.
    nice photograph in this church, the orchestra is impressive, especially with all these choruses.

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  2. there's a beautiful symmetry with the choir and the background that I'm really liking.

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  3. Knoxville Girl wrote what I thought when I saw this image. Love the symmetry here. ANd the muted glow. Lovely shot.

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  4. It always amazes me when composers take a simple prayer or verse and create a majestic work of art. It looks beautiful, Hilda. Have a good weekend.

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  5. wow! i cant imagine how beautiful the music can be. try to check if somebody actually uploaded it in youtube.

    nest year will be ateneo's biggest celebration.

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  6. It is such an eveocative image to accompany the narrtaive.

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  7. This is a lovely photo. I love the triangular shape of the chapel -very appropriate in a Catholic church. The colors are also beautiful, the pinks and oranges are very warm and inviting. Big churches usually do not look so cozy to me.

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