Relive Jesuit Music Ministry’s (JMM) moving tribute to St. Ignatius of Loyola, “Holy Darkness: The Ignatian Spirit in the time of COVID 19”, as it airs once again on the social media pages of JesCom, Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM, and other streaming partners, on August 14, Saturday at 8 pm.
The grand musical production staged July 31st of last year, marked the fitting conclusion to “One Foot Raised”, the month-long Ateneo de Manila 2020 Ignatian Festival.
As Filipinos brace themselves for yet another ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) period, the concert’s themes of light and darkness, as well as the connection between our ongoing struggles and St. Ignatius’ own transformative faith journey, seek to uplift weary hearts, accompany prayer and guide reflection during the lockdown.
“Indeed, this pandemic has been a test of faith, but it was also our faith that saw us through. In darkness St. Ignatius found the light that kept him on his path to God for the rest of his life. Like him, it is the same light that has brought us out of the dark and into the very heart of God,” reminded JesCom Executive Director Fr. Emmanuel Alfonso SJ in his opening remarks for Holy Darkness, that drew an online audience of 98,000 via livestream.
Bringing to life the different stages of St. Ignatius’ spiritual conversion, through the power of song, are the Ateneo Boys Choir, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Ateneo de Naga University Choir, Bukas Palad Music Ministry, Hangad, Himig Heswita, Koro Ilustrado, Musica Chiesa, Pansol Choir, Tinig Barangka, and VC6 Philippines.
Also to be featured are the performances of several JMM artists and friends including Arman Ferrer, Fr. Arnel dC. Aquino, SJ, Sr. Bubbles Bandojo, rc, Noel Cabangon, Sr. Susay Valdez, rc, Toto Sorioso and Serge Gabriel. Meanwhile, Fr. JBoy Gonzales, SJ, Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, and Fr. Fox Rivera, SJ, will be sharing their reflections.
As we reflect once more over St. Ignatius’ own moments of trial and tribulation, the music and prayers of Holy Darkness hope to serve as a comforting reminder to all, of faith’s enduring power even in the most difficult of times.
“Finding God in all things also means finding love in all things. In our darkest hours, remain still, remain calm. God is there with us. He has always been there. Sisters and brothers, I hope that you are all safe and that you and your loved ones are always blessed with good health,” reassured JMM Director Lester Mendiola at the concert’s first screening.
Two other JMM concerts will air on the next two Saturdays of August:
August 21 |INAY: Mga Awit at Panalangin kay Maria
August 28 |LOVING AND FORGIVING: A Himig Heswita Prayer Concert
Proceeds and donations for the rerun of the concerts will be for the benefit of JesCom’s various ministries and its mission of media evangelization. You may send in your donations via this link
jescom.ph/product/holy-darknessthe-ignatian-spirit-in-the-time-of-covid-19/
Follow JesCom (facebook.com/jescomph) on Facebook and visit our official website (jescom.ph), for more information on the media arm of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus’ digital productions, events and services that continue to serve the nation through faith and education, during the COVID 19 pandemic.
