Rwandan choir celebrates three years at Holy Cross

The aptly named Magnificat Choir sang at Holy Cross Parish for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Not only did the performance display the culture of the Rwandan choir, it also served as a third anniversary celebration. The traditional dancing group, Ikirezi, also performed at  the Mass.

“We used to sing in our country back home,” explained Thomas Nshagayintwari, president of the choir. “So, we say why can we not do the same thing in America? This is how we create our choir, Magnificat.”

Comprising 17 members, the choir has its home at Holy Cross, performing at the 10 a.m. Mass, the third Sunday of every month. They sing the entire Mass, mostly in the native language of Kinyarwanda, but also in French and English. 

The choir will perform at other parishes when invited and have already visited Assumption, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph University parishes. They’re also available for baptisms, first Communions, and weddings. 

“We’re happy to do that,” said Nshagayintwari.

The name pays tribute to Marian apparitions reported by three schoolgirls in the small village of Kibeho, Rwanda in the 1980s, that fortold Rwandan genocide a decade later. 

Father Felix Nyambe, OMI, addressed the anniversary in his homily for the Dec. 7 vigil Mass.

“Why do we celebrate anniversaries? Por Qua?” the pastor of Holy Cross Parish asked. 

“Expressing gratitude” and “to see how we have grown” came as replies.

“Anniversaries are a time when we pause and think where we are coming from,” Father Nyambe said. “Because we know how important anniversaries are. We have to keep the tradition to remember where we are coming from, to remember where we are, and to remember where we are going.”

He said that as African immigrants, there is a need for them to celebrate and share their culture with the larger community.

“We need to share with the people the richness of our cultures. Never be afraid to show who you are. … Each one of you brings a very special talent and gift to the Church. We are a church of different cultures. How do we embrace others? How do we embrace our brothers and sisters? How do we come to be defined as one people? It does not matter where we come from. We worship one God. Our cultures are a means of giftedness to the Church and to society.

“So as we celebrate this anniversary, may God continue to bless us.”