We Came, We Praised, We Loved: Veni, Amavi, Benedicti!

That moment arrived!

It was a serene evening, about to be tucked in a large starry crucible whose peripheral acted as holding bed ends. A young child with a red shock of hair, and Alice in Wonderland dress and shoes, run so fast ahead of her family. The brother about two years older run after her. Their mother in a mauve dress with matching shoes was not far behind. Many other people walked fast, or leisurely to get to the chapel. Some wore cornrows or a riot of crispy hair woven in long flowing bands. The Reverend Father Hai Ho welcomed each and every one. This was the Praise Explosion 2017 at St. Mary's College of California.

The St. Mary's College Chapel was subtly bedecked, with its grandeur toned down. Its nobility was maintained as always in limestone whiteness. The profuse Biblical stories captured in Christian regalia and statuary commanded a quiet posture. A palpable awe engulfed all of us in no describable order. Even the schedule for the day cannot begin to describe the expectations and feelings. This was a conversation in which praise, poignancy, perseverance and a participatory spirituality was unleashed before us.

Men and women of all races partook of a collective spirituality animated by African-Americans, harmonized by collaborations with White, Latino/a, Asian-Pacific and African actors and enablers. To say, that a priestess or a priest led the service would be like saying one raindrop fills a pot. But, the full delight of a rich ancient dialogue with God was put before us through taunts, jumps, whirls, clapping, age-related performances, gender-related performances and it climaxed with all of us lifted in song or body-shaking as we stood in that Holy Presence of the Divine.

There are those to whom God chose to be carried in the Ark in order to connect promise to plenty. The black race in wooden seafaring litters of transportation bound for America, brought God in their sinews, heart and humming lips. God chose to be carried that way! And in a pre-mature way, like when Jesus made wine at Cana, was the result of that very famous song: Amazing Grace. It was not the only way for God to be revealed in America. To the Native-Americans, God came in a form that enabled them to have the balanced connection and understanding of nature they still exhibit today. The Conquistadors were grave masters whose institutions set the pace at which America is a begrudged praise home. Pilgrims too were another example through which God chose to move with the people over a Sinai of promise to a Canaan of plenty. Still others came to America and all of them have brought with them a definition of promise and plenty. I am a recent immigrant from Africa and this day has that profound effect on me too. 

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted. I was transported back and forth in a transcendent cosmic where we are all spiritual collectives. In that world there is no racism or any -ism for that matter. St. Mary's College created it, the participants animated it. All of us sampled what our foreparents experienced in Africa. Thank you for being a touchstone. Like a Roman Caesar who over the vast stretch and breadth of land he ruled exclaimed: I came, saw, conquered: veni, Vidi, Vici. In our case in joining hands to praise and love, we gain God's promise and plentifulness.   "We came, we praised, we loved" : VENI, AMAVI, BENEDICTI.


When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

Praise

Lift High Your Voices!

All The Earth SIng Your Praises To God!

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted




Sing With Joy!

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted


Author: Tom Aquinas Rogers Muyunga-Mukasa

Animation

Animation

Animation

Under watchful eyes of the Blessed Family!

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

Age-related participation

Mother Mary ever watchful over her multi-race children!

of Women, Holiness and Creation 

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted


All races of America helped to make the event a collective effort.

Animators

When I walked to the Praise Explosion 2017 venue, a sacredness engulfed me. I felt a heart leap, eyes were entertained, lips uttered praise, ears were attentive, my soul was lifted



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