‘I sang for Pope John Paul II in 1993’
Lambert Ebeitu A J. PHOTO BY SIMON PETER EMWAMU.
What you need to know:
Singing for the Pope. Lambert Ebeitu A J, then choir master at Soroti Catholic Diocese, was one of the chosen few whose choir was selected to sing for Pope John Paul II during his visit to Soroti in 1993. He narrates to Simon Peter Emwamu about the experience.
“Most of my childhood, I sang in church and school choirs. But being called upon as a member of St Immaculate Cathedral Choir to team up with other parishes to sing for the Pope in February 1993, was a rare opportunity.
As the assistant choir master, I had never experienced much tension while leading the liturgy choir during weekly mass at church. Perfection was what we always exhibited while singing during the procession of Mass, but we thought we were not perfect enough to sing before the Pope so we practiced intensely.
Among the qualities considered to be on the team making the Pope’s choir was the ability to sing using one’s voice projections. Those playing the instruments had to know how to play them in uniformity with the choir voices.
Our choir was drawn from Katakwi, Kumi, Kaberamaido and Soroti parishes. We were brought together and virtually had to compose songs and also given some tasks to formulate the gospel procession.
Preparations
Because this was a historical visit, every bit of preparations was treated with maximum care. Selected choir members were treated to residential training at Madera Minor Seminary under leadership of some priests. Every member had to master the songs and have the lyrics at their fingertips. Our senior choir master, Desiderious Okumu, was so strict on this.
We practiced singing in both Ateso, Kumam, Langi, Luganda and English.
On the eve of the long a waited day, we practiced some more before we recessed for individual prayers.
By 7am on D-day, we were at Soroti Sports Grounds, the venue for the papal Mass. The crowds had already grown on this bright morning.
At about a quarter to 10am, jubilations engulfed the entire Soroti Town upon hearing that the Pope Paul II’s plane had landed at Soroti Flying School.
Shortly, the Holy Father’s motorcade arrived as he waved to the believers, who were jubilating and singing Hosanna Hossana.
Mass commenced as soon as the Pope, the bishops and other clerics took their positions.
At last, it was our moment to shine, as we started on the procession for the Holy Mass.
Our first song was in English. It was a great feeling to see the Pope and Bishop Erasmus Wadera sing along.
After several songs, we took a sabbatical as the second celebrant of the day ushered in the Holy Father to give his homily. The Pope prayed for peace and called for tolerance and love.”
