No matter the language, Maria R. Nieva is pleased to greet the Blessed Mother in song. Nieva, a music minister in Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold, has released her second song via music publisher Oregon Catholic Press… using twice the number of languages as her first.
Entitled “Multilingual Hail Mary” – with lyrics in English, Spanish, Tagalog and Latin – the music minister explained it was intended to “unite people with different backgrounds and cultures in worship and liturgy, especially during seasons that celebrate the Blessed Mother.”
The hymn – arranged for SATB choir, keyboard, and guitar – is designed for use by diverse vocal and instrumental performers at different events in the Church, such as the liturgy, in concerts, during Marian novenas, and at other special services. Nieva said she was inspired to write the multilingual hymn, dedicated to her parents Remy and Ray, in 2012 as she completed studies for her master’s degree in theology.
Originally, “it was trilingual – Tagalog, English and Spanish,” she said. “I came back to it and wondered how I could make it better.”
The addition of lyrics in the ancient language of Latin came to mind; with input from friends and some careful editing, the hymn was finally ready this year.
“I don’t write for the sake of writing,” she asserted. “When I am ready, I know it is good, no matter how long it takes.”
Nieva has an extensive background in music ministry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music and piano performance from the University of the Philippines, a degree in piano pedagogy and choral conducting from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, and a master’s degree in theology and liturgical ministry from LaSalle University, Philadelphia. She is marking her 30th year in music ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine as pianist, conductor and leader of the children’s choir.
Setting to music the greeting of the Archangel Gabriel to the young virgin of Nazareth, “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” the multilingual hymn opens with sopranos singing in the Filipino tongue of Tagalog while altos express their love for the Mother of God in Spanish; later, tenors and basses contribute a foundation of faith as they sing in English underneath the women’s Latin sung praise.
This is Nieva’s second song; she composed the bilingual song (Tagalog/English) “Kapayapaan, Peace Be with You,” at the request of Father Ricky Manalo during the 2020 National Association of Pastoral Musicians convention.
One might ask, “Are there more hymns to follow?” A better question would be, “Has Nieva found a way to squeeze a few more hours into the day?!”
“Life is crazy busy,” she answered, citing her musical work at the Shrine, administrative work at Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, and her secular work as a real estate agent. Adding to her activity, Nieva and Sacred Heart pastor, Father Vincent Guest, are planning to form a City of Camden Children’s choir with talented young singers drawing from that parish, St. Joseph Church and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Nieva’s multilingual hymn in honor of Mary is now included in OCP’s choral packet #112 and available for purchase by any music minister (ocp.org). Numerous Marian feasts and liturgical seasons – the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Advent and Christmas – are appropriate upcoming opportunities to sing praise to Mary in as many languages as possible.
The inaugural public performance of the hymn was on Oct. 5 in the Archdiocese of Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus during their Filipino Heritage and History month. Religious sisters of the archdiocese’s Filipino Apostolate sang their praises to Mother Mary with Nieva’s musical creation.
Nieva shared her outlook on life as a multilingual, multifaceted church musician, saying, “Live life to the fullest. When God calls you home, you will be happy.”
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