Liturgical songs that were composed by some priests and laypeople of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique were performed at a recent concert.

The first “Konsierto Jubileo Antiqueño” was held at the Parish of Sto. Niño in Hamtic town on July 14, with Bishop Marvyn Maceda himself among the performers.

“We offered ourselves as a community, as a local church through our songs, native songs, Antiqueño songs,” Maceda said.

“Singing is a form of prayer, singing is a form of praise, and we have just done that. We offer our songs; we offer our praises to the Lord,” he said.

The free concert was just the first of a series to celebrate the diocese’s 60th jubilee as a local Church.

Antique was established as a prelature in 1962. Two decades later, it was elevated to the status of a diocese, becoming a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Jaro.

Today, the diocese has grown to 25 parishes.

“The Lord has blessed us, and now we are just returning to him on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the local Church of Antique,” Maceda added.

‘Musicam Sacram’

In the nearby Diocese of Kalibo, its Commission on Sacred Liturgy has launched “Musicam Sacram,” a 10-day transformative music training program.

The program commenced on July 17 in partnership with the Aklan Catholic College Christian Formation and Development Center and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music Alumni Association.

Fr. Justy More, Director of the Commission on Sacred Liturgy, said its aim is to equip participants with a deeper understanding of sacred music and its role in the liturgy.

“This program is a testament to the remarkable synergy we can achieve when various participants come together to serve a common goal — the Liturgy of the Lord,” More said.

“By equipping our faithful with a solid foundation in sacred music, we are fostering a deeper connection to our liturgical traditions and enhancing our worship experience,” he said.