CLOSE TO THE HEART OF JESUS

When the communion line has ended and the church settles into that deep, quiet reverence, "Close To The Heart Of Jesus" is exactly the kind of piece we want to sing. Sir Jude Nnam gives us a gentle, flowing melody that feels like a deep breath. The words speak of finding a place of "quiet rest" and "sweetest bliss" away from the noise of the world, anchored right in the heart of Christ.

Musically, the arrangement is marked Andante, keeping a steady, unhurried walking pace. The choir moves together through the verses, building up to a warm, earnest plea in the refrain: "Blessed Lord, our Redeemer, hold me close to Your Heart." It is not a loud or complex anthem, but rather a sincere prayer that requires smooth blending and careful attention to the phrasing.

We often bring this out for Communion or during Benediction and Adoration, when the congregation needs something meditative. It is a comforting reminder for both the singers in the loft and the people in the pews that, no matter what we carry into Mass, there is a safe harbor waiting for us in the Saviour.