CREDO (Latin)

When the homily concludes and the congregation stands, the Creed is our shared declaration of faith. Jude Nnam’s setting of the "Credo" in Latin brings a profound sense of majesty to this pivotal moment in the Mass. Singing the Nicene Creed in the Church's ancient language connects the choir and the faithful to centuries of worship, grounding our voices in the universal words of the liturgy.

The piece opens with a bold call of "Credo in unum Deum," immediately drawing everyone into the profession of faith. Nnam structures the lengthy text brilliantly, using a recurring refrain of "Patrem Omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae" to anchor the verses. This approach makes the extensive Latin text more accessible for the choir to master and keeps the congregation engaged as the melody unfolds through the mysteries of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

Rehearsing this setting requires careful attention to diction and phrasing, especially in the dense middle verses detailing the Incarnation and the Holy Spirit. Yet, the rhythmic vitality typical of Nnam’s style keeps the momentum moving forward. By the time the choir reaches the final, triumphant "Amen," the entire church feels the weight and joy of the truths we profess together.