THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Holy Eucharist is the summit of our worship: here, the humble gifts of bread and wine become the very Body and Blood of the Lord who first blessed them at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19-20). Each Mass renews the New Covenant (1 Cor 11:23-26). It helps us to relive Calvary and Easter in one mysterious moment. Christ still whispers, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54). This weaves our hearts into his and binds us to one another (1 Cor 10:16-17). In this living sign of divine love, heaven truly touches earth and humans, and God become one.
Through the years of my priestly service, I have tried to echo that love in song. I invite you to pray with these hymns:
- “Ihunanya Di Ocha” (“Pure Love”) — a tender Igbo meditation first sung in our seminary hymnbook Praise Time. [Spiritans School of Philosophy, Isienu, Nigeria]
- “Maa gba Ìfẹ́” (“I Will Receive the Cup”) — a Yoruba proclamation of joyful surrender.
- “Ósán” — an Itsekiri hymn celebrating the real presence re-echoing how it is significant to receive the body and blood of Jesus.
- To access Maa Gba Ife and “Osan” click this link, https://www.spiritanssound.com/i-will-extol-by-fr-oluwafemi-victor-orilua-cssp/
- “Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament” (feat. Cathryn Kyle) — an English adoration anthem.
- Igbo Benediction — beloved traditional verses, newly sung
- https://youtu.be/HrgCoQg0IRc?si=QeflxIVSD2ijrvZM
- Yoruba Benediction — the first full Yoruba rendering of the Latin blessing, translated by Bishop Michael Fagun.
- https://youtu.be/yO8F3Wr5gsE?si=ahInsyfzGqz0CbPv
May these melodies draw you ever closer to the heart that beats for us beneath the appearance of bread and wine.
Remain blessed.
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