I REJOICED - Shalom

When we gather for Mass, the opening procession sets the mood for everything that follows. Bernadette Farrell’s "I Rejoiced" captures that exact feeling of gladness and arrival. Based on Psalm 122, the lyrics speak with the voice of pilgrims who have finally reached the holy city: "I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to the house of God."

For a choir, this piece is a joy to lead. The verses carry a steady, walking rhythm that naturally fits a procession down the aisle, while the chorus opens up into a warm, four-part harmony declaring "Shalom, shalom, the peace of God be here." It is an invitation for the whole congregation to leave the worries of the week at the door and step into a space of divine peace and justice.

We often use this as an Entrance hymn, especially on Sundays when the readings call us to reflect on unity and the gathering of God's people. The recurring blessing of "Shalom" makes it incredibly moving, reminding everyone in the pews that the church is a home where we labour and pray for one another.