THE SANTÍSIMO Rosario Parish Choir staged its first fundraising concert on Saturday, Sept. 26, to help finance activities for the episcopal coronation of the image of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de la Universidad de Santo Tomás.
Held at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church, “Himig: Para sa Ina at Guro” also raised funds for the parish music ministry.
“It’s like a concert enveloped in prayer,” David Pado, concert director and parish choir member, told the Varsitarian.
The concert featured religious and liturgical music performed by resident parish choirs and guest artists, including Voices Manila, the Santísimo Rosario Parish Youth Choir, Philippine Master Chorale, Dominican friar duo “Fratres!” and Michelle Acosta.
Pado, who also performed at the concert, described the event as an offering of gratitude to the parish patroness.
“This is our offering for the episcopal coronation. In our little way, in how we produce music and how we sing, we can express our thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin Mary for guiding us,” he said.
Santísimo Rosario Parish priest Fr. Glenmar Gamboa, O.P. said he hoped the concert would become part of the parish’s annual celebrations.
“It’s really a form of thanksgiving and to express our joy…pasasalamat sa grasya at biyaya na natanggap ng parokya sa mga nakalipas na taon,” Gamboa told the Varsitarian.
(It’s really a form of thanksgiving and an expression of our joy…gratitude for the grace and blessings the parish has received over the past years.)
The parish is also seeking a pontifical coronation of the image in time for its 85th anniversary in 2027, with Gamboa hoping donations would help provide a new crown for the image.
“Hopefully, next year, the one who will recognize [the] antiquity, devotion and miracles [of Santísimo Rosario] will be the Vatican,” he said.
The image of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de la Universidad de Santo Tomás received approval for episcopal coronation from the Archdiocese of Manila on July 16.
Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will preside over the fiesta High Mass and Rite of Episcopal Coronation on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m.
