CREDO (Latin)

When the homily concludes and the congregation stands to profess their faith, Jude Nnam’s "Credo (Latin)" offers a vibrant, rhythmic setting of the ancient text. Singing the Creed in Latin connects a choir to centuries of Church tradition, but this arrangement breathes fresh, dynamic energy into the words. The piece opens with a bold male solo declaring "Credo in unum Deum" (I believe in one God), before the full choir sweeps in with a lively, syncopated refrain praising the Almighty Father, "Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae."

The verses guide the choir through the core mysteries of the Catholic faith, with Nnam carefully shaping the music to match the weight of the text. During the third verse, the tempo and mood shift for the solemn words "ex Maria Virgine et homo factus est" (born of the Virgin Mary and became man), a moment where the choir and congregation traditionally bow in reverence. The energy then rises again as the voices proclaim the resurrection and the life of the world to come.

For a Nigerian Catholic choir, mastering a Latin Mass part like this is always a rewarding challenge. The familiar solfa notation helps the singers navigate the phrasing, blending the universal language of the Church with a rhythmic pulse that feels entirely at home in a local parish. It is a powerful choice for Sunday Mass, allowing the whole church to declare their shared beliefs with joy and conviction.