Wa Zo Bia Prayer Of The Faithful

"Wa Zo Bia Prayer Of The Faithful" is a unifying response sung during the Universal Prayer at Mass. Drawing its title from the popular Nigerian concept of "Wazobia"—a blend of the word "come" in Yoruba (Wa), Hausa (Zo), and Igbo (Bia)—the piece brings together the country's major languages into a single, harmonious petition.

In the choir loft and the pews, this setting serves as a warm reminder of the universal nature of the Church. As the cantor reads the intercessions, the congregation and choir respond by calling on God in English, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo. The simple, repeating melody allows the faithful to easily join in, asking "Abba Father" to hear their prayers and cries. It is a deeply moving response that gathers diverse voices into one shared act of faith.