Missa Ifunanya Ekwere M N'otu Chineke

When the time comes to profess our faith during Mass, a setting like Jude Nnam’s "Ekwere M N'otu Chineke" from the Missa Ifunanya brings the entire congregation together in a powerful, unified voice. Singing the Creed can sometimes feel like a marathon of words, but this arrangement transforms the profession of faith into a vibrant and deeply engaging choral dialogue.

Written entirely in Igbo, the piece uses a responsorial structure that allows the choir to lead the narrative of salvation history while the assembly anchors it with the steadfast refrain, "Ekwere m n'otu Chineke" (I believe in one God). The music shifts beautifully to match the weight of the text. As the choir reaches the mystery of the Incarnation—"O weere ahu na Virgin Maria" (He took flesh from the Virgin Mary)—the score calls for an ad libitum a cappella section, stripping away the accompaniment to let the profound solemnity of Christ becoming man echo through the church.

The tempo then picks up joyfully at the Resurrection, introducing a triumphant second refrain, "O bilitere n'onwu" (He rose from the dead). This dynamic contrast not only keeps the choir and congregation engaged but also breathes life into the ancient words of the Nicene Creed. It is a highly effective setting that turns a long liturgical text into a heartfelt proclamation of Catholic belief.