The program Manhã Viva on TV Canção Nova has presented the hymn of the IX International Congress of Mary Help of Christians. Father Simão Cruz and António Ferreira, the author and composer of the theme, were the guests on the program.

“I will give you the Teacher” is the name of the hymn for the International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, which will bring together the Salesian Family in Fatima from August 29 to September 1, 2024. Father Simão Cruz and António Ferreira, the author and composer of this theme, were present on the program Manhã Viva to present the hymn.

A Salesian for over 56 years, Fr. Simão Cruz began by explaining his connection to the Congregation, which he owes to a friend. António Ferreira, he also recalled his connection to the Salesians, to whom he has always been attached, having even studied theology. Today, this connection continues and António is a music teacher at the Salesians in Estoril.

The choice of the two of them for this project was made by those responsible for the Congress in Portugal, in particular Fr. It was an almost inevitable choice. With a master’s degree in Music, and greatly influenced by his mother – “who took part in all the church choirs” – António Ferreira has always been connected to music and, above all, singing. Father Simão Cruz, on the other hand, has always loved poetry and so it was easy for him to create the poem for this hymn, which is inspired by Don Bosco’s “Dream of the 9 year olds”.

How important is a hymn?

During the creation of the hymn’s melody, António Ferreira tried to create a “simple song” that everyone can sing at “all times”.

Created in “harmony”, combining the “lyrical part with the musical part”, the hymn “Darei-te a Mestra” was conceived, as Fr. Simão says, with “inspiration and creativity”. Two poems were created and the one that best reflected the “Dream of 9 Years”, whose bicentenary we are celebrating, was chosen.

For António Ferreira, music, and in particular this hymn, will have a “prominent place” at the IX International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, since its mission will be to “bring the participants together”. “The hymn can be a link between the participants, establishing unity,” emphasizes the music teacher.

“I will give you the Teacher”

The video clip, which features the hymn sung in Portuguese and the chorus translated into English and Italian, and later also into Spanish, also aims to emphasize the Salesians’ connection to education, namely by presenting the various Salesian presences that have schools.

Mary, Mother and Teacher

When asked what he expects from this International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, António Ferreira said: “I hope that we feel gathered, as Don Bosco’s family, around Mary Help of Christians. Simão, what will bring all the participants together is “the love and affection that the Salesian Family has for Our Lady Help of Christians”.