GERMANY, mkf. There is already a long-standing tradition of performing Sacred Music in front of the reliquary of the Magi in the Cathedral at Cologne: in the medieval part of the majestic Cathedral whose center is precisely the reliquary of the Magi – the pilgrimage goal for many – the choir of the Cologne Cathedral presents several times per year, Sacred Music. These are from the works of famous composers and are masterfully intoned. It is a special honor for a choir to be invited to sing in this privileged and holy place. On Tuesday, September 29th, two choirs from Burundi had the honor of singing and dancing there. One of them was the Chorale Sainte Familie (Holy Family Choir) from the Mont Sion Schoenstatt Shrine in Gikungu, Bujumbura. It was the culminating moment of the week they spent in Germany. They were invited by the choirs of the Cologne Cathedral in the context of the Year of Reconciliation.
Tuesday, September 29th, 7:00 P.M. Tourists begin leaving the Cologne Cathedral. The usual murmuring lessens, there is total silence. Almost….. From the back, where the reliquary of the Magi is – beautifully illuminated – voices and sounds can be heard….. not the usual voices and sounds for the Cologne Cathedral. What can be heard is the voice of Africa…..the voice of reconciliation…..the voice of the Shrine from Bujumbura, the voice of the Covenant of Love. It is the choir of the Schoenstatt Family which prepares for what will be the final and culminating point of this trip which was made possible for them by the “Kolner Dommusik” (Cologne Cathedral Music), the choir of the Cologne Cathedral directed by Prof. Dr. Metternich.
Perhaps at this point, they are aware of the serious accident involving two Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, a Schoenstatt Father and some laity from Burundi who were on a trip to Tanzania last Friday, precisely on the day they were in Schoenstatt singing and dancing with so much love and confidence in the Original Shrine. One of the Sisters is still in critical condition…
The greatest treasure of this city
7:45 P.M. The cathedral which one half hour earlier was already filled with people, now begins to fill with people who are elegantly dressed. Among them are several Africans. Security finally opens the door to the area where the reliquary of the Magi is – which since 1230 guards the greatest treasure of this city and which many consider to be the most beautiful work of art from the Medieval Era. There are approximately 250 persons present. “What a shame that more did not come,” comments a woman from Cologne. “There was only a brief notice in the newspaper. I think many did not know about it…..”
The concert begins with words of welcome on behalf of a presbyter. Afterward, a choir from the Cathedral intones a number from Maurice Duruflé. The director, Prof. Dr. Metternich, explains the intention of the Cologne Cathedral choirs for inviting the two choirs from Burundi and for whom they had sponsored the trip, taken care of their accommodations in Germany, and arranged the entire program. They wanted to show them that their effort for reconciliation in their country is perceived in Germany. On this day they are singing in a Cathedral which 60 years ago was in ruins, as was the entire country after a terrible war. They are singing in a cathedral whose reconstruction was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of ex-enemies…..
After introducing the second number by Johannes Brahms, Dr. Metternich announces that afterward, everyone will be able to see and listen to some sacred music which is totally different, the music of the Africans – but that “they, like we…..in our own way, put our entire heart into our singing.”
A scenario not often seen in the Cologne Cathedral
The long-awaited moment arrived! The two choirs appear, singing and dancing to the beat of the drums and keyboards…..
Following, Father Deogratias Maruhukiro explains to the audience the situation in Burundi….. the civil war….. Schoenstatt’s effort for peace and reconciliation….. the crowning of the Virgin as Queen of Peace and Reconciliation and where 30,000 persons were present…..and especially the efforts of the Mariya Arafasha Foundation to care for the street children and the war orphans. His words touch everyone…..
But the consternation on their faces is soon transformed into joy when the two choirs, alternately, begin with their program. The boys from the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth appear with their white t-shirts with the MTA stamped on them, singing and dancing like witnesses of the Covenant of Love who can change the reality in an entire country…..
Songs and dances at the beat of the keyboards and drums
Did you see the happy faces? Asks Hildegard F., one of the few Schoenstatters who were present at the concert. She is right, the faces of the public radiate deep joy….. The joyfulness in the faith of these Burundi youths seems contagious.
Time passes quickly, nobody wants to hear the announcement of the last song…..the people are completely submerged into the African rhythm and joy…..they wave their hands and clap. Some rise and begin to slow-dance…..Las horas pasan sin darse cuenta, nadie quiere que llegue el anuncio del último canto… la gente ya está completamente sumergida en el ritmo y la alegría africana, agitan sus manos, tocan palmas, unos se levantan y comienzan a bailar suavemente…
Bishop Simon Ntamwana, Archbishop of Gitega, Burundi, founder of the “Fondacion Vie Novelle” to which the other choir belongs, is also present and on his way to Rome for the Synod on Africa. At the end, he speaks on the process of reconciliation in Burundi, the contribution of the Church, and that of these two choirs.
When once again the two choirs intone the last song, many come forward to dance with them. It is a scenario not often seen in the Cologne Cathedral…..
Applause, tears of emotion, words of thanksgiving, goodbyes….. The choirs put together a small stand where they cell CD’s and offer pamphlets on Mariya Arafasha. The people come to the stand with great interest. It seems that everyone wants to take something along from that African evening, from that evening of peace and reconciliation, from that Covenant of Love evening.
At the moment, both choirs are back in their country, in Burundi, but they left indelible footprints in Cologne, in Schoenstatt and in the hearts of many. Some are already thinking about what to do so that the choir from the Mont Sion Shrine in Gikungu can perform for the Schoenstatt Family in 2014…..this joy in the Covenant of Love which is made into song.
Photos: Burundi choir at the Cathedral in Colonia
More videos at www.schoenstatt-tv.de y schoenstatt.de en youtube
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA, 101009
