The Proclaimers presents Musical Celebration to mark sacerdotal golden jubilee of Fr Aniceto

By John Mascarenhas Jerimeri
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 20 Oct 2016: ‘The Proclaimers’ organized a grand Musical ‘Felicitation Programme’ on Sunday, October 16 at 5.00pm at St Pius X College, Goregaon (East), here featuring 13 choirs who sang harmonious masterpieces, composed by Fr Aniceto Nazareth - the maestro of liturgical hymns, on the occasion of his completion of 50 years of his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee. 

 

Fr Aniceto after completing his licentiate in liturgy from Rome, on arrival he was entrusted the task to educate people of the new dimensions of liturgy. He invigorated the Archdiocesan Liturgy Committee and served as its secretary for 30 years. As of 2016, he was still on the Board of Censors for Music in English.

 

Fr Aniceto the director of ‘the Proclaimers’ was born in Mumbai and was the youngest of 14 children, two of them girls. His father John Christopher Nazareth was from Pomburpa, a small tourist resort, known for its warm and cold springs; and mother Umbelina Vaz was from Uccaçaim, Goa. Both parents played the violin. Three of his siblings chose the religious life, Stephen and Aniceto as diocesan priests and Edvige as a Salesian Sister.

 

 

Post Vatican II, emphasis on congregational singing took precedence and so questions were raised about the need for a choir. It was in this context Fr. Aniceto started a ‘Demo’ Choir in his own words called, ‘The Proclaimers.’ As part of its training, the choir focused on the new Liturgy, and sang in five voices instead of the customary 4 voices. The fifth voice sang the melody on a key convenient to the congregation, thus encouraging the participation of the assembly. The choir encouraged congregational singing in 88 churches in the city and in 19 other towns in India. In a sense Fr Aniceto Nazareth led a Liturgical Renewal of the music ministry. He believed that choirs should not be shut down as they provide an accompaniment to the congregation, just as an organ does. The Proclaimers had a vision to take this teaching back to their respective parishes by forming choirs to make liturgy more vibrant, spirit filled and meaningful. After a long break they spontaneously came together again to acknowledge the legacy Fr Aniceto Nazareth has bequeathed our Archdiocese and pay tribute to his liturgical mystery and music genius.

 

Under the leadership of the core team members Anil, Cajetan, Kevin, Charmaine, John Savio, Maryanne, Maureen, Marcia, Rita and several others, the Proclaimers decided to present a musical token of love by celebrating the Golden Jubilee year of Fr Aniceto inviting Cardinal, Bishops, pniests, Nuns, laity and well known musicians of the city and around.

 

The Eucharistic Congress was followed by the composition and publication of appropriate chants in keeping with the recommendations of Vatican II in which Fr. Aniceto Nazareth played a major role. He assisted Fr. Jean Mercier, in printing and distributing a series of musical scores for new hymns titled Sing a New Song, followed by a word publication “With Joyful Lips” and another abridged version ‘Celebration.’ Immensely popular hymns like ‘A New Commandment, Blest are you Lord, Great Indeed are your works, Ring out your Joy, Listen let your heart keep seeking, All peoples of the universe, Blessed be God, United in one body etc were some of his most popular and widely sung hymns.

 

Post retirement, in his new role as a Leader Priest, he has been taking liturgical and classical music directly to his congregations. Placed in charge of training for the Revised Missal by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, he and his Team helped introduce it to the churches of Mumbai in 2011.  His new Masses are based on themes from the great Masters - the Gloria based on the slave chorus from Nebuchadnezzar by Verdi and an entire Mass based on Handel. The people’s parts are kept easy to learn and sing.

 

During the programme, as a part of special tribute and felicitation originally conceived by Kevin D’Souza, the celebrity of the day Fr AnicetoNazareth was honored and felicitated by Cardinal Oswald Gracias who presented a ‘Memento’ with a Citation of Appreciation and Gratitude for his contribution and service to the Archdiocese through the instrument of Music and hymnals. A new Book was released on the occasion of Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Fr. Aniceto Nazareth. The programme was commentated by Angela and choirs were conducted by Marcia, Charmaine, Rita, Maureen, Jane, Kevin, Vinita, Vincella, Cyneca, Anil, Selma, Maryanne, Naveen, Rita, Christina, Bridget, Jude, Florina, Jane, Anil, Judy, Hazel, Charlene, Merlyn, Allwyn, Arick, Anto, Sarah, Roland, Kate & Cajetan.

 

As a special attraction of tribute, a melodious and remarkable choir of 25 priests (including Bishop John Rodrigues) in uniform was conducted by Bishop Dominic Savio.

 

The Musical Fiesta was organized so beautifully and systematically that three hours of time elapsed so quickly without a single minute break, absolutely amazing and mind blowing. The audience was simply flabbergasted with big round of applause for each and every piece of music sung with harmonious and melodious voices. About 13 choirs from various parishes like Sahar, Marol, Versova, Thane, Kurla, Jerimeri, Mulund, Borivali, Vile Parle, Goa choir, Priests Choir, Canada Proclaimers, The Proclaimers & a finale of all choirs joined together alongwith the congregation….. singing ‘O Sing to the chief musician.’ An evening well spent with heavenly music and enriching liturgy attended by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Bishop Bosco, Bishop Agnello, Bishop Perceval, Bishop Dominic Savio, Bishop John Rodrigues and several relatives, friends and well wishers of Fr Aniceto.