ANYI EHUNYERE GI

"Anyi Ehunyere Gi" is a profound Igbo offertory hymn that draws a direct line between the gifts brought to the altar and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Composed by Rev. Fr. Bart C. Ezeokafor, the song is a staple for the presentation of gifts, guiding the congregation to offer their bread, wine, and hearts with genuine devotion.

The lyrics are rich with liturgical meaning. In the refrain, the choir asks God to accept and bless the offerings, transforming them just as He looked with favor upon the sacrifice of Abel. The verses deepen this prayer, comparing the rising of the gifts to sweet incense and explicitly uniting the church's offering with the very sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. It is a powerful reminder that the bread from the earth and wine from the vine are offered not just for the living, but for all the faithful departed.

During Mass, this piece brings a deep sense of reverence to the Offertory and Consecration. The melody is marked *Cum Spirito*, giving it a spirited yet prayerful forward motion. When the sopranos take the lead on the verses while the rest of the choir hums softly beneath them, it creates a moving, intimate moment of worship before the Eucharistic prayer begins.