Students craft song to celebrate Year of Mercy

Carmel College students, Kate
Howard, left and Jessica Rogers.

by NZ CATHOLIC Staff
Three Carmel College students have written an inspiring song celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Carmel College students, Kate Howard, left and Jessica Rogers.

Carmel College students, Kate
Howard, left and Jessica Rogers.


The song entitled Te Wā, written by Jessica Rogers, Kate Howard and Nandita Bhatnagar, is one of four music pieces by New Zealand composers recommended by the National Liturgy Office.
The others are Bread of Mercy by James B Lyons, The Voice of Your Mercy, Maria Guzzo and Psalm 103, The Lord Is Kind and Merciful, Maria Guzzo.
The girls were inspired by Pope Francis’s Misericordiae Vultus and decided to incorporate parts of it into a song, along with some of their own reflections.
The students were asked to write a song that would be suitable for both primary and secondary schools, with a simple refrain that everyone could sing.
The girls said the songwriting process was quite challenging.
“We had to incorporate key ideas of mercy, while making sure it was still appealing to all ages,” Miss Rogers said.
They also found writing a song in a group an enlightening experience because they were able to learn from each other and grow together in mercy.
The students have titled the song Te Wā’ “because of the meaning behind it represents a journey or a moment in time.
“This reminds us of the faith journey that we all are on, as well as remembering that for the Catholic community the jubilee year calls us to a moment of mercy,” said Miss Howard.
They wanted to include Maori into the song to emphasise the New Zealand influence within the song.
The girls said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and can’t wait for everyone to listen and share in what they have created.

fb-share-icon
Posted in

NZ Catholic Staff

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *