Cantate Domino wins ‘Ga Thu Jibe’ Choral Contest; Bishop Emeritus lauds musical tribute to St Anthony
Mangaluru: Cantate Domino of Mangalore emerged victorious at the “Ga Thu Jibe” (Sing, O Tongue) Konkani Group Singing Competition, a Diocesan-level event held at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, on Sunday. The competition, organised in honour of St Anthony of Padua and the upcoming Feast of the Relic, brought together a diverse array of choirs from across the Diocese of Mangalore.
Seventeen teams participated in the spirited contest, showcasing a wealth of talent and spiritual devotion. The participants included parish choirs, religious institutions, nuns, youth groups, children’s choirs, and lay individuals, all united by their shared reverence for St Anthony, the “Wonder Worker” of Padua.
Following Cantate Domino’s first-place finish, Jeppu Parish secured the Second Place, while St Antony Church, Anthonykatte, claimed the Third Place.
Consolation Prizes were awarded to ten deserving teams: Holy Rosary Cathedral, Athena College of Nursing, Abode of Peace (UFS), Deralakatte, St Antony Church, Fermai, Chili Pili Choir, Bondel Shrine, Corpus Christi Choir, Moodbidri, Bethany Sisters, Mangalore Province, Rang Tarang, Moodbidri, St Cecilia’s Choir, Milagres, and Fr Walter Albuquerque Memorial Choir.
The Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore, graced the occasion with his presence. He lauded the St Anthony Ashram for its unique initiative and emphasised the profound spiritual significance of sacred music.
“To sing is to glorify God, to proclaim the mighty deeds of the Lord, and to sanctify ourselves,” Bishop Emeritus D’Souza stated in his address. He further encouraged the participants to actively contribute to their respective parish choirs and liturgical services, emphasising that participation should extend beyond competitive events.
An eminent panel of judges, comprising Fr Alwyn Sequeira OCD, Mr Joel Pereira, and Sr Maria Clarice AC (Bangalore), adjudicated the competition. Fr Alwyn Sequeira, speaking on behalf of the jury, provided constructive feedback on the choirs’ singing techniques and group performance dynamics, offering valuable insights for future improvement.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Fr Maxim Rosario, Diocesan Estate Manager, Dr Sr Lilly Pereira BS, Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province, and Fr Uday Fernandes, Milagres.
Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Ashram, spearheaded the programme. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, served as the Programme Coordinator, with Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues as the Assistant Coordinator. Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, Director of Canara Communication Centre, oversaw the digital programme design. Fr Maxim D’Souza, along with the executive committee members and volunteers, contributed to the seamless execution of the event. Mr Lanvin D’Souza Peruvai served as the compere for the programme.
