The Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol in Goa became a place of profound spiritual reflection as it hosted an evening of sacred music that drew clergy, seminarians and the faithful into a prayerful encounter with the mystery of the Resurrection. The event, titled Dut Mhoje Zayat meaning Be My Disciples, was presented by the Santa Cecilia Choir and marked a heartfelt celebration of the Easter season through music, tradition and devotion.
The concert transformed the seminary into a space of contemplation where sacred sound and liturgical memory came together in a unified expression of faith. The performance invited the audience to reflect on the words of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, a theme that shaped the entire evening. Through carefully selected hymns and compositions, the programme sought to connect artistic expression with spiritual mission, reminding those present of the call to live and proclaim the Resurrection message in daily life.
Founded in 1905 by Patriarch Dom António Sebastião Valente, the Santa Cecilia Choir has played a significant role in the musical and liturgical life of the Church in Goa for more than a century. Generations of priests and lay musicians have passed through its ranks, contributing to a rich heritage of sacred music that continues to support worship and deepen liturgical participation. The choir’s long standing tradition was evident in the maturity and harmony of the performance, which blended historical depth with contemporary devotion.
This year’s concert also held wider significance as it coincided with global commemorations marking the fifth centenary of the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the most influential composers of sacred music in Church history. His legacy of polyphonic composition continues to shape liturgical music across the world, and the Rachol concert paid tribute to this heritage by integrating elements of Gregorian chant and classical sacred works into its programme. The evening thus became both a local celebration and a participation in a universal ecclesial remembrance.
Under the direction of Reverend Father Mathew Rebello, the choir of 45 singers and 27 musicians presented a carefully curated selection of hymns that combined traditional Goan compositions with global sacred repertoire. The programme included works such as Lux Iucunda Lux Insignis, Veni Sancte Spiritus, Panis Angelicus and Regina Caeli, each performed with a focus on reverence and spiritual depth. Arrangements by Father Rebello and Father Romeo Monteiro added a distinct pastoral and cultural dimension, weaving local expression into the broader tradition of Church music.
As the evening progressed, the music created a gradual ascent into prayerful silence and reflection, guiding the audience through themes of joy, hope and resurrection faith. The performance of Dut Mhoje Zayat stood out as a central moment, capturing the missionary spirit of Easter and the call to discipleship. By the end of the concert, the seminary had become more than a performance space, it had been transformed into a lived experience of worship, where music served as a bridge between tradition, faith and the living encounter with Christ.
