PARAGUAY, Julio Giménez •
“Yvaga o huguaiti ore rekove, peicha añandu che angue pyhare”, in Guaraní this means “Encountering heaven in our lives” describes the feeling experienced that night in the Youth Shrine, something like a spell, a magical night. That vigorous, mobilizing life filled with spirituality, filled with song and enchantment represented by a group of men and women united through the talent of music, especially music of spiritual content, in generous giving of time, rehearsal after rehearsal.
The motors behind the initiative
Behind this feeling there is a young man, who having left the novitiate, not only did he not get away from God; instead, he got even closer to Him. Joaquín Santiviago, along with Fr. Santi Cacavelos, launched on the adventure of forming a choir of great dimensions and quality. This undertaking has providentially resulted in a recording, a CD where the Holy Rosary is combined with songs that are elevated toward God our Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our beloved Blessed Mother and Fr. Kentenich. These two daring young men found the support of a third person, Sergio Cuquejo, who carries music within himself and who gladly accepted the great and profound challenge of going beyond the recording of music and prayers, and of going on an encounter, an approximation of encountering heaven here on earth.
A night of moon and emotions
With a splendid moon shining through the trees and cicadas unusually silent, the multitude congregated to participate in song and prayer. After the introduction, the song “Open the Doors to Christ,” gave the listeners chills that increased with the following songs such as “Joy of Christ” and “St. Joseph Hymn.” In this last piece, several people wept openly at the beauty of the lyrics and the melody.
It is worthwhile to mention that the space, where Coro Alegría’s sixty people offered their prayer and singing, is due to the generosity and giving of self by a well-known family in our Movement that has donated their stately home for so many family experiences, where the figure of the deceased Mrs. Chiquita, known for her great human warmth, is especially highlighted.
Thank you—Joaquín, P. Santi, Sergio Cuquejo, Ale Almada (assistant director of the choir) and to all the members of this magnificent choir that with this recording will help the Church in its task and mission of evangelization in this very agitated world, which is sometimes very far from God.
Photos taken by Rodrigo Valdez de GIROLABS ( Social Business dedicated to digital communication and software development for non- profit organizations and social initiatives)
Original: Spanish. 8 January 2018. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA. Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
