Ebealen Tohanmhan

When we prepare our hearts at the beginning of Mass, the Penitential Rite calls for a profound sense of humility. "Ebealen Tohanmhan," composed by Charles I. Onwubuya, captures this beautifully. Set in the Esan language alongside an English translation, this Kyrie draws the congregation into a deep, reflective plea for God's compassion. The score itself is marked "Grave," instructing the choir director and singers to approach the piece with the solemnity and reverence that the words demand.

Singing this piece in the choir loft, you can feel the weight of the harmony as the voices unite in the repeated cry, "tohanmhan" (have mercy). The structure follows the classic threefold petition—calling first upon the Lord, then Christ, and returning to the Lord. Because the composer provides both the Esan and English texts directly under the melody, it offers a wonderful flexibility for bilingual parishes or choirs looking to honor the local language while keeping the prayer accessible to everyone in the pews.

It is a straightforward but deeply moving setting. The steady, measured pacing allows the chords to settle, giving the congregation time to truly reflect on the mystery of God's forgiveness before the joy of the Gloria begins. It is the kind of setting that grounds the Sunday liturgy right from the opening moments.