The power of song: How the choir shaped my relationship with Christ

Jul 12, 2024

Be Our Guest - By Judy Rozario
Joining the church choir in my teens was a game-changer for my faith journey. What started as a way to hang out with friends after catechism turned into an experience that shaped my relationship with Christ in ways I never anticipated.

Coming from a traditional and only-child upbringing, my godfather convinced my mum that it was healthy to have me sign up for the choir, as a means of connecting with other children and making friends.

In the choir, I learned the fundamentals of music and how to sing in different keys. We practised correct breathing techniques (from the belly!) and also learned about teamwork. If one of us messed up, we had to start from the top. When there were no children’s Masses to prepare for, we watched musicals, movies and even celebrated each other’s birthdays.

One day, our choir mistress put on ‘Sister Act’ - and that was it - our Easter Masses were never the same. We, the sopranos, couldn’t wait to chime in with our ‘Salve Regina’s during ‘Hail Holy Queen’.

Colossians 3:16: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

As we rehearsed hymns and anthems, I started to really open myself up to the lyrics. A simple tune, coupled with a few verses held words that conveyed powerful prayers, stories and messages drawn straight from the Bible.

Repeating these songs week after week made the biblical truths stick. It helped me internalise messages of hope, love, and redemption, making them a part of my daily thought processes.

The choir demanded a level of discipline and commitment that spilled over into my spiritual life. Practice began at 11.30am, and we would begin and end every session with the prayer: “I am good, I am blessed, I am lovable, O’ Lord. I am good, I am blessed, I am lovable. Yes, Lord.”

Almost 20 years later, I still say this prayer fervently, repeating it when I’m anxious, scared or stressed. This routine of praying helped me develop a stronger personal devotion habit. The breathing techniques I learned during my choir days help me stay calm when storms hit.

Being part of the choir meant being a part of a community. We became a family; we prayed for each other, celebrated together, and supported one another during tough times. Although my choir friends and I were in different grades and different schools, none of that mattered when we were at practice.

My choir community supported me through various phases of my life. This fellowship was a tangible expression of Christ’s love and taught me the importance of Christian community. It proved that following Christ is not a solitary journey but one we undertake together.

Singing in the choir helped me develop a deeper understanding of worship. Leading the congregation in song is a humbling experience. Before we sang, our choir mistress would remind us that this was not a performance. To help others connect with God, we had to also be connected with Him.

There’s something about music that goes beyond words. There are days when harmonies and melodies brought me closer to God in a way that silent prayer couldn’t. On days I find myself tongue tied when talking to the Big Guy, I sing to Him. I let hymns say the things I struggle to say.

I fondly remember moments in the choir when I felt real encounters with the Holy Spirit. So many times, I’ve choked back tears while singing, “Take all that daily toil, plants in my heart’s poor soil. Take all we start and spoil, each hopeful dream. The chances we have missed, the graces we resist. Lord in Your Eucharist, take and redeem.”

Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”

I believe God listens. He listens when we pray silently. He also listens when we sing (even if it hurts His ears.) He listens to us in every language.

Some Sundays, I’m called to praise God in a different tongue - so I attend Mass in different languages, sometimes in different Catholic churches. I personally love how every hymn is heavily influenced by the different races and cultures that praise the same, one and only God. I love the way music unites us at Mass and sways us. How it reaches the deepest regions of our hearts and forces us to surrender. I love how God speaks to us so lovingly, even without words.

If you’re a parent, consider enrolling your child in a choir. The experience equips them with a deeper understanding of their faith and offers them a strong, supportive community. I still keep in touch with some of my childhood friends from the church choir.

If you’re struggling with your own faith, why not join a choir? It’s a powerful way to connect with God. You might even find your relationship with Christ enriched in ways you never imagined. Plus, you’ll make a few friends along the way.

The best part of all about joining a choir is that God will show you how to find your voice and use it in a way that is pleasing to Him.

(Judy Rozario is a young Catholic adult navigating her faith life while balancing the roles of loving wife, filial daughter, responsible pet owner, and active community member. She keenly observes human emotion and behaviour, and enjoys discussing books, religion, and music.)