Thousands Join Chennai Concert Blending Christian Music, Worship and Culture

CHENNAI, November 3, 2026: Thousands of Catholics gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Perambur on October 31 for Jesus Makes Me Dance – Live in Concert, an evening combining contemporary Christian music, Eucharistic worship and cultural performances.

Organised by the Youth Commission and the Commission for Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, in collaboration with the shrine and Forgiven Ministries, the event attracted participants from several parishes, including visitors from Bengaluru and Tiruchirappalli. Hundreds of Catholic social media influencers also attended.

The programme opened with a praise and worship session led by Forgiven Ministries under the leadership of Eric Noronha, followed by an English-Tamil bilingual Mass celebrated by Fr. Richie Vincent.

The highlight was a live performance by Franciscan priest and musician Fr Sandesh Manuel, which began with a procession and blessing with a first-class relic of St Carlo Acutis. The concert brought the audience together through Christian songs, dance and reflections on the lives of saints.

Drawing on the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Carlo Acutis, Fr. Sandesh encouraged young people to express their faith with joy and make Christ central to their lives. His reflections on St Francis were particularly significant as the Church commemorates the 800th anniversary of the saint's death in 2026.

Members of the Diocesan Youth Commission joined the performer on stage, leading the audience in dance movements accompanying his songs. A Bharatanatyam jugalbandi by the founders of Marianjali Kalaikoodam Dance School brought classical Indian dance into dialogue with contemporary Christian music.

The concert also featured a rap song dedicated to St Carlo Acutis, composed by Fr Sandesh, which drew particular interest from younger participants.

A Pro-Life awareness stall provided information on the dignity and value of human life, adding a social awareness dimension to the event.

Eucharistic Benediction, led by Fr Stanislaus Swamikannu, Salesian, rector and parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, brought the evening's worship to a close.

Participants described the gathering as an opportunity to experience Christian faith through music, prayer, cultural expression and fellowship. Many stayed back to interact with the performers and organisers.

At the conclusion, Fr. Sandesh thanked Abhishek Joseph and Fr. Richie Vincent for their initiative in organising the concert in Chennai. The organisers acknowledged the support and hospitality of Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, as well as the contributions of Fr. Maria Prem Anbarasan of the Youth Commission, the Commission for Social Communications, Forgiven Ministries, the Diocesan Youth Commission, Marianjali Kalaikoodam Dance School and the volunteers who coordinated the event.

The participation of young people and Catholic digital content creators highlighted the growing role of contemporary music and social media in engaging younger generations with the Church.

The event brought together music, dance, devotion and digital evangelisation, presenting an expression of Christian faith that connected traditional forms of worship with contemporary cultural expressions.

From Office of Social Communication

Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore