Ondu Chejumomi Wa

"Ondu Chejumomi Wa" is a reverent and deeply grounded setting of the Kyrie eleison, composed in the Igala language by Jude Nnam. Sung during the Penitential Rite at the very beginning of Mass, it leads the congregation in the universal plea for God's mercy. The familiar three-part structure of the prayer is carried by a steady, rhythmic choral arrangement that feels both solemn and distinctly Nigerian.

In the choir loft, this piece offers a unifying moment of shared prayer. The sopranos carry the central melody, repeating the simple, powerful phrases "Ondu chejumomi wa" (Lord, have mercy) and "Kristi chejumomi wa" (Christ, have mercy). As the other voice parts layer in beneath them, the harmony swells, turning a quiet individual confession into a communal petition. It is a gentle but firm way to prepare the hearts of the faithful for the Liturgy of the Word.