Magnificat: The Musical Envagelization of Faith

Magnificat cast performing the last song of the play.

The ways of evangelization is evolving, and one college in Davao City dares to bring onstage the Gospel through music and dances.

Through the musical play billed as Magnificat: Joy of an Encounter, the Gabriel Taborin College of Davao (GTCD) in Barangay Lasang put onstage the ensemble of more than 60 students to be Gospel characters, choir members and dancers to a theatrical performance that revolves on the central theme of faith.

Bishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla express his admiration to the play.

“The Gospel has come to life.”

This was how Bishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla described the musical in his short message at the end of the play.

Capalla said the messages of love, forgiveness and faith were clearly delivered in every portrayal, which brought him to tears.

“The musical play was the contribution of GTCD in the closing activities of the Catholic Church’s universal celebration of the Year of Faith,” said Executive Director Bro. Davide del Barba, FSF.

Mary, sings Magnificat Anima Mea Domonum

The Catholic Church in the world celebrated the Year of Faith from October 11, 2012, to October 24, 2013. 

Inspired by Mary’s canticle (Luke 1:46-55), the musical was originally in Italian language borne from a summer workshop of the Brothers of the Holy Family in the early 1980s. In 2003 the first English version was staged in the Philippines through the efforts of Bro. Davide del Barba, who is also the musical director of the play.

After 10 years, the English version was revived, now aligned to the Year of Faith celebration and in time also for the 150th death anniversary of Bro. Gabriel Taborin, the founder of the Brothers of the Holy Family.

The play opened with the solemn rendition of “Credo Domini,” the Year of Faith’s official hymn as Cavanis Fr. Arman Bacalso led the renewal of vows of baptism.  The musical, which run for one-hour and 30 minutes, portrayed the characters in the Gospel who are the source of inspiration and examples that exemplify faith.

The Samaritan Woman

Among the characters were the Samaritan woman who gave Jesus water from the well and where Jesus opened her understanding that God is the water that “quenches the thirst” forever.

The teacher of the law Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night in secret so he could not be seen by the crowd talking to Jesus. In the meeting, Jesus has taught Nicodemus that he should be reborn in spirit and become a child to enter the Kingdom of God. The scene posted the strong challenge of renewal.

The Adulteress

The stories of the disciples Peter, Judas and Mary Magdalene kindled the question of how strong the people’s faith is to God and the challenge to overcome temptations and win the grace of God through faith.

Jesus’s healing of the blind man Barthimeus was symbolic of how the people are blinded in many ways, and that it is the man’s faith that heals himself. While the story of the adulteress, who was condemned by the public, evokes forgiveness.

Peter

The feel-good scene of Zaccheus, the tax collector, a sinner whom Jesus dined with, gave comic and uplifting relief to a heavy message of renewal and giving back to the community.

And ultimately, the model of faith, the story of Mary as she praised God singing Magnificat anima mea Dominum (My Soul Magnifies the Lord), where Mary proclaims the Lord’s greatness with humility and grace. The song connected to audience well that one could feel praising God with the song.

Resurrection Scene

The whole story was stitched together with the character of the present-time teacher who met Gabriel, the institute’s founder, and how they relate the story of the Gospel into the present situations of the community of faithful.

The enthusiastic response of the audience motivated the Brothers to have a repeat performance on November 29 for a humanitarian cause. Proceeds of the ticket sales will entirely go to the victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda.

“We are happy and proud of what we have produced,” del Barba said. “Convinced that this form of new evangelization through music and dances is a powerful way of conveying Jesus’s message to the new generation,” he added.

The Brothers of the Holy Family dubbed themselves as educators of the youth since 1835.

The Cast and production crew acknowledge the applause of the audience.