In conjunction with the patronal feast day and Triduum of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuit parish of St Francis Xavier in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (SFX PJ) staged SPEX—a Rock Oratorio on The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola—over three performances in Loyola Hall from 1 to 3 December.
First performed in 2006 as part of the celebration of the Jesuit Triple Year in the Malaysia-Singapore Region (MAS), SPEX, which is short for the Spiritual Exercises, is a two-and-a-half-hour musical composition that explores and expands upon the main themes and contemplations found in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. The music, based on a sacred subject, is classified as an “oratorio,” and the blending of traditional chant and choral pieces with contemporary styles can be described as “rock.” Hence, the distinct title of SPEX as a Rock Oratorio!
The songs were beautifully and meaningfully written by Malaysian Jesuit Fr Paul Dass, based on the four weeks of the Exercises. Presented over four segments reflecting these four weeks of contemplation in the Exercises, SPEX engages and captivates its audience to listen, pray, and reflect over the Spiritual Exercises through vocal and band music in various genres.
Week One, on the First Principle and Foundation, is first presented in chant form. Hereafter, it breaks out into a rock piece based on Psalm 139, followed by Psalm 51, which is explored both in chant and contemporary choral mode. The meditation on Christ upon the cross is developed in soft-ballad style with the question, “What Have I Done For You?” built-in as a chorus. The final meditation of the First Week is the Kingdom Meditation, which again employs a contemporary mode for delivery.
The three other weeks also develop along these same lines. In Week Two, the confrontation of the Two Standards set against the desert temptations of Christ evolves into a strong rock piece, followed by a plaintive rendition of the triple colloquy in “Place me with your Son.” Week Three delves into the heart of the passion narrative, intertwining rock and chant styles to express the Third Degree of Humility. Finally, in the Fourth Week, “Contemplatio ad Amorem” reaches its high point as all prayer points are transformed into sung verses, culminating in the “Suscipe” as an anthem, followed by a Grand Amen—a reprise of the general introductory theme from the First Week.
The language of the SPEX is aligned closely – often word for word – with the translation of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius by Louis Puhl SJ. By staying close to such a translation, the musical team hopes to convey the authentic flavour of the language of the Spiritual Exercises to the audience.
“As we celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier, we should ask what St Francis Xavier himself would celebrate. He would most probably answer The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, because, in a nutshell, that is what moved him to join the Jesuit order. By listening and praying, our relationship with the Lord will be more deeply relished, and our faith in Him finds ever-heightened expression through active service,” explained Fr Dass.
The ensemble’s talent and commitment are evident in their performances, adding emotional depth to the overall experience. SPEX Rock Oratorio attracted parishioners from both St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya, as well as other parishes within the local district. Among the audience, Loh was enthralled throughout the performance. “Our emotions were swayed by the amazingly beautiful vocals and immense talent of the musicians. A splendid performance indeed!”
Another parishioner, YC Hwang, enjoyed the presentation flow, which divided the show into four parts, starting with the First Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises, defining the raison d’etre for our existence in contemporary form. “It was fun to experience elements of the musical idioms from the likes of works by Andrew Lloyd Webber,” he quipped.
“Overall, the production was very professional. SFX PJ has great talents, from among the Jesuit priests to our lay parishioners,” concluded Francis Lai, another parishioner.
One of the singers, Kenneth Jeremiah, had this to say:
“’…and if you wish to follow me and come with me. Join me in this saving work. You must be willing to labour with me, follow me in suffering, follow me in pain, so that you may follow me in glory.’ – SPEX Week 2 No 91-98 (Title: Kingdom Call) Those were the words that moved me when I heard Fr Paul Dass SJ singing as I walked into the cabin one day during one of the practices.
“After intense three days per week of training (Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays) that took us through joy, excitement, laughter, disagreements, tears, and even more joy, we made it through the entire three days of performance over the weekend of the feast day. It was an honour to be part of this ‘saving work’.
“It was an unforgettable memory for me, and the tune to these songs would be stuck in our heads for a long, long time!
“There was much patience between the conductor, the singers, and the musicians. It took a lot of braining to remember when the band was to come in, who’s doing which part, and a lot of counting!
“It was truly a labour of love and pain for the greater glory of God, who called and qualified us to be part of this amazing team.”
Another singer, Leah Basilika, shares her reflection:
“Upon first hearing about Oratorio, I was admittedly clueless about what it entailed. Despite my passion for singing, I hesitated to respond to the invitation. However, curiosity led me to attend one of their practices one day.
“As I arrived, Fr Paul Dass, accompanied by his acoustic guitar, began singing the Week One songs. Every word resonated with me, compelling me to delve deeper into the lyrics. It became clear to me that I wanted more than just a surface-level understanding, prompting me to enthusiastically say YES to becoming a part of this musical team.
“Over the course of two to three practice sessions per week, with or without musicians, I embarked on this musical journey. Despite lacking the ability to read musical scores, I learned by ear, drawing inspiration from the original music and fellow team members. The 11 singers, including the gifted Fr Paul Dass, each brought their unique talents to the table, creating a harmonious and fulfilling dynamic within the group.
“It’s awe-inspiring how God orchestrated the formation of this Oratorio team, bringing together talented musicians, some even professionals, who remained humble and consistently emphasised that our collective efforts were for the greater glory of God.
“The songs from Week One to Week Four focused on the Spiritual Exercises, plunging me into a retreat-like state for the past two months. This preparation has been instrumental in setting the stage for the Advent season. The lyrics, the beats of the drums, the resonance of the basses, the highest notes from the lead guitar, the delicate touch of the pianist on each key, the conductor’s precise movements during key changes, the acoustic strumming, the soulful solos, and the angelic voices of all the singers—every element contributed to a profound experience.
“Being part of this team fills me with gratitude. What initially seemed like an impossible task—two months of intense practice—became a reality, demonstrating God’s grace. Despite occasional conflicts, I recognise that these challenges are opportunities for spiritual growth, preparing us to evangelise and serve His people.
“As the Oratorio unfolded, some attendees came twice, some shed tears, and others expressed surprise at how the performance resonated with the depths of their hearts. It became evident that God was orchestrating something beyond our understanding. This experience has reaffirmed my belief that everything is in His hands; He simply asks us to say YES and be His instruments. The celebration of St Francis Xavier Feast Day this year has personally transformed various aspects of my life. I feel truly blessed.”
Preparations are underway for a studio recording of the work. The aim is to facilitate a greater dissemination of Ignatian Spirituality through the Spiritual Exercises. Whilst SPEX is copyright protected, Jesuit institutions and apostolates are encouraged to produce SPEX within their own apostolic milieu for purposes of promoting the Spiritual Exercises. A full transcription of the scores may be obtained in the second half of 2024. Donations to help support the recording process and related endeavours are welcome, and inquiries can be directed to Fr Paul Dass SJ at pauldassj@gmail.com.
By MAS Communications, Cordelia Lee, and Fr Paul Dass SJ | Photos by Agnes Cheong. This article is an edited version of the article published on the Church of St Francis Xavier Petaling Jaya website.