Thillet leads “Noche de Oracion y Albanza” in Philadelphia Monday Night
Damaris Thillet has a long history in Spanish-speaking ministry. After spending 18 years with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as Diocesan Liturgical Music Coordinator for the Hispanic Community and as a Music Education Program Director at the Catholic Institute for Evangelization, the Puerto Rican native became associate director of the Office of Worship in the Diocese of Camden, NJ. Thillet joined the Diocese of Camden in November 2005. Thillet also has many pieces published with her husband Diego Correa by both World Library Publications and Oregon Catholic Press.
So, it must not have been a surprise that Thillet would be given another role: director of the Spanish papal choir for the World Meeting of Families. Earlier this year, Thillet received a call from Fr. Dennis Gill, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and Director for the Office of Divine Worship, and John Romeri, then the director of liturgical music for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: they thought she would be the perfect choice to lead the way.
There were 90 Spanish-speaking people who auditioned for the choir; Thillet was able to take 50 voices. They will be joined by six teenagers, as well.
The involvement of the Spanish choir in the Papal mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway will be highlighted by the singing of the Spanish hymn, “Himno Eucaristico” by Alfredo A. Morales, F.S.C. Brother Alfredo composed the hymn for the 41st Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia in 1976. The Lasallian Brother of the Christian Schools died in 2012.
As a tribute to Brother Alfredo, composer Rogelio Zelada has composed three new verses for the singing of the hymn at the Papal mass. Of the three verses composed by Zelada, one specifically is dedicated to families.
The setting of Psalm 19 sung on Sunday comes from Michel Guimont’s Lectionary Psalms collection, and will include a verse in Spanish sung by Thillet. Her husband Diego Correa will sing the Spanish intentions in the Universal Prayer.
But rather than focusing on individual music groups from individual backgrounds, Thillet wanted to see the various music groups come together.
“This was a unique moment that we can use for transformation,” Thillet said.
So, the Vietnamese choir, Spanish choir, and English choir will collaborate on the hymn “Tâm Hién Dâng”, or “A Gift of God”, or “Don De Amor” by the Vietnamese composer Oanh Sông Lam. Thillet said that the Spanish and Vietnamese choirs put in great effort to learn the other’s language so that they could collaborate on the song.
While some of the music will be the Spanish choir alone, the Spanish choir will also sing in English with the rest of the papal choir for the music for the mass.
On Monday night, in an event sponsored by Oregon Catholic Press, Thillet presented “Noche de Oracion y Albanza-Encuentro Hispano/Latino Americanos de Familias 2015” – or a “Night of Prayer and Praise -Encounter Hispanic/Latino American Families 2015”. The full event can be viewed online, courtesy of Oregon Catholic Press.
Is Thillet nervous?
“No,” Thillet said. “I’m very exctied. I feel very blessed for the opportunity to prepare this group.”
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