UCA News
Contribute

Catholics laud musical tribute to departed souls

New album revives spirituality and sense of mortality
Catholics laud musical tribute to departed souls
Catholic singers record liturgical music at Christian Communications Center in Dhaka
Published: November 10, 2011 06:02 AM GMT
Updated: November 10, 2011 07:35 AM GMT

The Catholic bishops’ Christian Communications Center (CCC) has released its first ever liturgical music album to honor departed souls. The center’s audio-visual unit -- Banideepti (Light of the Word) -- produced the album called Amar Atma Koro Saron (Remember My Soul) which has 13 songs about life, death and eternal life. Matthew Deepak Bose, 72 a renowned Catholic musician directed the musical production that uses traditional and local instruments to bring out a feeling of faithful spiritually among listeners. Released on All Souls Day on November 2, the album has received rave reviews from Catholics so far. “I loved the songs on the album. Even though some of them are old, it was great to listen to them in a recording for the first time,” said Moni Corraya, 45, a housewife. Corraya, a choir leader at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Hashnabad in Dhaka added that the new album will help her choir members sing hymns correctly during liturgy because in the past they didn’t know the exact tune. “This is a moving album. The songs remind us of our mortality and that we will be judged on our deeds on Earth. It also helps us to remember our forefathers, pay homage to them and follow their example in our lives,” said Stephen Biswas, 50, from the Holy Cross Church in Luxmibazar in old Dhaka. The Episcopal Commission for Social Communications' executive secretary and center director, Father Joyanto S. Gomes, said they wanted to preserve traditional hymns in a modern way which had not been attempted before. “Thoughts of death and eternal life kindle our emotions. These hymns related to life and death, enrich our liturgy and will bring spiritual solace to Christians,” Fr Gomes said. He hopes the hymns will help people save their souls from a world of consumerism and sinfulness. Bose, the album’s director has the same view. “The music of self-consciousness is likely to change people who lead undisciplined and immoral lives, he said.”

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia