This year, 2024, marks a milestone for Filipino liturgical music as the Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) embarks on a year-long celebration of the Centennial Birth Anniversary of Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, affectionately known as “Fr. Honti.” Titled “Honti @100,” this year of reflection and festivity commemorates the immense contributions of a Jesuit whose melodies have become deeply embedded in the hearts and spiritual lives of Filipino Catholics.
Fr. Hontiveros’ name may not be immediately recognized by many, but his music, characterized by the deeply familiar hymns that echo in churches across the Philippines, has touched millions. His pioneering work in Filipino liturgical music, driven by the reforms of Vatican II, transformed the way Filipinos experienced worship. Through his compositions, Fr. Honti brought the liturgy closer to the people, elevating worship from simple participation to a profound, communal experience.
A Life Dedicated to Music and Faith
Born on December 20, 1923, Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros discovered his love for music during his early years in the Society of Jesus. In a candid recollection with the East Asia Pastoral Review (1982, Volume 1), Fr. Honti shared:
When I was a seminarian back in 1940, I began composing some hymns and Masses in Latin. Nobody ever sang them; they just remained in my music books. Then, when I was teaching in Zamboanga around 1950, I became director of the choir of the students. For them, I composed a few songs in English; since I was the director, they had to sing them.
However, it was the liturgical reforms of Vatican II in the 1960s that profoundly influenced his path. As the Church encouraged local languages in worship, Fr. Hontiveros was motivated to create the Misa ng Bayan sa Awit (Sung Mass of the People), the first of many Filipino Mass settings. His work addressed a pressing need at the time: authentic Filipino liturgical music. Up until then, many Filipino songs for Mass were mere translations of European and American compositions. Fr. Honti took on the challenge, and through his creative genius, he produced songs that resonated with the Filipino culture and spirit.
“The decisive motivation to begin in earnest was the liturgical renewal inspired by Vatican II, which asked local churches to produce music for the liturgy… Since [seminarians] kept requesting frequently, I created even more melodies; gradually composing became a steady concern of my life.”
These hymns, such as Pananagutan, Ama Namin, and Paghahandog ng Sarili, became enduring classics, still sung fervently today in Masses across the country. Fr. Honti’s work established a new chapter in the Church’s liturgical life, providing music that celebrated Filipino identity while fostering deep reverence for the sacred.
Celebrating Honti’s Legacy: Hontiveros @100
To honor his life and contributions, Honti @100 has been organized by the Jesuit Music Ministry as a year-long celebration, culminating in “LUWALHATI SA DIYOS: The Legacy of Fr. Honti,” a grand tribute concert set for October 12, 2024, at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater in Ateneo de Manila University. The concert will bring together notable choirs, musicians, and artists to perform Fr. Honti’s most beloved works, celebrating his legacy through music.
“LUWALHATI SA DIYOS: The Legacy of Fr. Honti,” is more than a tribute; it also serves as a fundraiser for the PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN: The Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ Liturgical Music Competition. This competition, spearheaded by JMM, aims to encourage new generations of Filipino composers to follow in Fr. Hontiveros’ footsteps by creating new, original liturgical music in the vernacular, promoting liturgical music as a powerful tool for evangelization.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
Through Honti@100, we are reminded of the lasting beauty of his contributions to the Church, and we invite everyone to celebrate this musical journey with us. Fr. Honti’s music continues to inspire both worshipers and musicians, proving that the melodies of faith, when composed with a heart rooted in service and spirituality, can transcend generations.
Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ, may have passed away 16 years ago, but his voice—resonating through his timeless hymns—continues to lead Filipino Catholics in worship, connecting them to God in a distinctly Filipino way.
Through his timeless music, Fr.Honti remains fully alive in the hearts of the faithful, as an enduring beacon of harmony, love, and devotion.
For more details about the grand tribute concert and to learn how you can support the “PURIHI’T PASALAMATAN” liturgical music competition, please visit the official Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/jesuitmusicministry)