Father Ricky Manalo
The Marianist Center of Hawaii has invited two well-known liturgical composers to give two island concerts, the first at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Mystical Rose Oratory on the campus of Chaminade University and Saint Louis School, to be repeated on Maui Feb. 13 at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku.
The organizers have named the events, featuring Jesse Manibusan and Father Ricky Manalo, “Prayer, Music, Laughter and Tears” based on their experience of the music, lectures and workshops of these two musical artists.
The singer-songwriters are friends who work well together even though their styles and compositions are different. Both share a special appreciation for Hawaii.
Manibusan is a dynamic singer, songwriter, catechist, storyteller, humorist and evangelizer. He speaks from his heart of the love of Christ and the call to live out one’s baptism. He has a master’s degree in multicultural ministries from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
His song “Open My Eyes,” from his third album “Power of Peace,” appears in Catholic and Protestant hymnals around the world. His latest collection, “Sing of Mary,” is prayerful homage to the Mother of Jesus. In 2012, he collaborated with Santiago Fernandez on the bilingual collection “Unidos.” In 2003 he worked with Ken Canedo on the successful “Love Never Fails” album, which features “Bless the Lord,” “Love Never Fails” and “Fish with Me.”
Jesse Manibusan
Manibusan, who lives in Daly City, California, is a familiar presence at national and international conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the National Catholic Youth Conference, and World Youth Day. He travels the globe fulltime giving parish missions, concerts, retreats, keynote talks and youth conferences.
He is also a volunteer at his home Good Shepherd Parish.
Paulist Father Ricky Manalo studied composition and piano at the Manhattan School of Music; theology at the Washington Theological Union; liturgy and culture at the Graduate Theological Union; and sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. He also has a doctorate in liturgy and the sociology of religion. He has written numerous articles and books on liturgical ministry, music and intercultural competence.
Father Manalo’s music is found in both Catholic and Protestant hymnals. His best-known works include “Worthy Is the Lamb,” “Many and Great,” “Ang Katawan Ni Kristo,” “With One Voice” and the “Mass of Spirit and Grace.” His compositions have been used in Masses celebrated by St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. He has published two books: “Chanting on Our Behalf, Revised Edition” and “The Liturgy of Life.” He recently collaborated with other composers on “Our Common Home,” a collection inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’” on the themes of creation, poverty and solidarity.
His most recent release, “Be Still and Know I’m Here,” is a collection of liturgical music that is more quiet, reflective and meditative. Alongside these compositions is his new “Mass of Christ the Inner Light,” which highlights the priest’s skill for integrating traditional and contemporary music with both Western and Eastern cultural sensibilities.
As an authority on intercultural liturgical issues and music, he is a frequent lecturer and workshop leader, specializing in practical and cultural applications. He is a consultor for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and was named Pastoral Musician of the Year in 2018 by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
Father Manalo teaches at Santa Clara University and the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
No registration is required for these concerts. Seating is first-come-first-serve. An opportunity for a free will offering will be provided.
On Maui, the musicians will present workshops at the VILAC (Valley Isle Liturgy and Arts Conference) Feb. 15.
For more information about the Oahu concert, contact Marianist Brother Dennis Schmitz at balschmitz@aol.com or 232-6691.
For information about the Maui Concert and VILAC workshops, contact Rosie Johnson at rowzee1204@hotmail.com or Art Fillazar at mrfill1831@yahoo.com.
