The Santa Cecilia Choir of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol presents an evening of sacred music on Sunday, 26th April 2026, at 5:30 PM, at the Rachol Seminary, Rachol Salcete Goa. The concert is themed “Dut Mhoje Zayat” (Be My Disciples), a living invitation rooted in the Easter Season and the words of the Risen Lord: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19).
The Santa Cecilia Choir was founded in 1905 by Patriarch Dom António Sebastião Valente and entrusted to the patronage of St. Cecilia, patroness of music. It was originally named the Orfeon Palestriniano do Seminario (Palestrinean Orpheon of the Seminary), after the great Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. It has for over a century enriched the Church’s worship and shaped the musical formation of priests and lay choir masters across Goa. This concert also joins the worldwide celebration of the 5th Centenary of Palestrina’s birth, marked by the Universal Church and commemorated in music across the globe.
The concert will comprise of 45 singers and 27 musicians – conducted by Rev. Fr. Mathew Rebello, music teacher at the Rachol Seminary – performing on Violins, Cellos, Double Basses, Flutes, Organ, Tabla, and Manjira. The hymns include: Lux Iucunda Lux Insignis (a Gregorian Chant); Veni Sancte Spiritus (Comp. by W. A. Mozart); Sant Antoni Bhokta – Sam Sebastianv Bhokta (Arr. by Fr. Mathew Rebello); Inasa Ixtta Jezuchea (Arr. by Fr. Romeo Monteiro); I Will Give You Shepherds (Comp. by Fr. Bernardo Cota); Cantantibus Organis (Comp. by Msgr. Valentino Miserachs Grau); Ogonnit Kaklutichea Deva (Arr. by Fr. Romeo Monteiro); Panis Angelicus (Comp. by César Franck); Dut Mhoje Zayat (Melody by Fr. Joseph Rodrigues. & Arr. by Fr. M. Rebello.); Regina Caeli (Comp. by Maestro Lourdino Barreto); and Salve Regina (Comp. by Msgr. Renzo Cilia).
Most Rev. Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, with Rev. Fr. José (Joe) Adrião Rodrigues and Mr. Seby Fernandes as Guests of Honour.
Venue: Rachol Seminary
Date: April 26, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM