LONGING FOR GOD'S HOUSE (Entrance)

When the choir lines up at the back of the church for the opening procession, "Longing For God's House" sets the perfect tone for the liturgy. Composed by Fr. Jude Orakwe, this entrance hymn draws directly from the familiar words of Psalm 84. It captures that deep, human desire to step out of the noise of the week and into the quiet sanctuary of the church.

The piece opens with a full four-part harmony in the refrain, where the entire choir declares, "My soul is thirsting and yearning for the house of the Lord." It is a steady, grounding melody that helps the congregation center themselves as Mass begins. From there, the verses are handed over to the sopranos. They sing of the sparrow finding a nest by the altar and the profound joy of spending just one day in God's courts compared to a thousand elsewhere.

For a choir, this song is a gentle but firm call to worship. The contrast between the robust SATB refrain and the lighter, more narrative soprano verses gives the arrangement a natural breathing room. It reminds us, as we sing and as we listen, that we are all gathering to find our spiritual home at the altar.