EKWERE M N'OTU CHINEKE

"Ekwere M N'Otu Chineke" is a steadfast and reverent setting of the Nicene Creed in Igbo. In the Catholic Mass, the Creed is our shared profession of faith, sung just after the homily. It is the moment the entire congregation stands together to declare what we believe, from the creation of the world to the resurrection of the dead.

Fr. Bart C. Ezeokafor’s arrangement gives this foundational text a dignified and rhythmic flow. The piece opens with a confident refrain before moving through six verses that outline the mysteries of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Church. A particularly moving moment occurs in the fourth verse, where the choir sings a cappella to recount Christ taking flesh through the Virgin Mary and suffering under Pontius Pilate, before the instruments return joyfully to proclaim the resurrection.

For a choir, leading the Creed is a profound responsibility. This setting allows the words to remain clear and prayerful, guiding the faithful through the core tenets of belief. It closes with a layered, resounding "Amen" that seals the congregation's shared faith.