By Tadiwa Madava
The late Sr Cecilia Mushayapokuvaka a renowned composer of the Catholic Sacred music, was laid to rest on Monday the 2nd of May 2022, at Chishawasha Cemetery.
Sr Cecilia (77) was celebrated as a successful music composer and as a passionate friend of the poor and prisoners.
Catholics from various parishes in the Archdiocese of Harare and Zimbabwe paid their last respects, together with hundreds who watched the funeral mass online livestreamed from the Sacred Heart cathedral of Harare.
She succumbed to cancer of stomach, in the early hours on the 29th of April at Nazareth house where she was admitted.
In his homily, Fr Justin Jagaja said Sr Cecilia’s life was a sole journey of seeking the heaven, a gospel of simplicity and compassion to prisoners and the poor.
Sharing the late’s life history with the mourners, her nephew, only identified as Moment, described Sr Cecilia as a soft-spoken and prayer warrior.
“In the family, she was quiet, soft-spoken, teacher, provider, mother, prayer warrior, counselor, and preacher,” he added.
A representative of the Composers Association and himself a celebrated Catholic music composer, Mr J.K. Dzingai said the late composer was talented and artistic, all her songs have powerful words in preaching and praying.
“Sr’s songwriting and lyrics raised standards for Catholic music, no one will ever fill in the gap that she left,” said Dzingai.
He said the late composer one of the few people with stamina and leadership skills.
“Sr would go an extra mile to make sure that the songs are received well with her audience, unlike other composers who would just write their songs and fail to follow up,” he added.
She composed seven songs which are, Imbirai Mambo, Yesu akati chiuyai, Mupriste mukuru Yesu, Yeuka Muvirigo, Kristo mufudzi wavanhu vose, Yesu Makati kuvadzidzi venyu and Moyo yedu inofara.
Recently, Catholic Joyful Melodies, a Catholic Choral group recorded Sr Cecilia’s songs into an album titled Yesu akati Chiuyai.
Formerly a member of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sr Cecilia took private vows and was consecrated by the Archbishop Robert Ndlovu in Harare.
She retired from active service in in 2012 at the age of 68,
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