CHRISTINE MACHADO | NT BUZZ
With the aim of inspiring more youth to consider the vocation of priesthood, Trevor Bosco Braganza and Alfin Fernandes have released a new track, ‘Wake Up Stand Up’. The track released recently coincides with Maundy Thursday observed recently which also marks the institution of priesthood by Jesus at the Last Supper.
A parishioner at St Vincent De Paul Church in Osterley, Braganza, originally from Fatorda, says the song was inspired by a difficult phase when their parish priest passed away, leaving the community without one for a long period. “We also noticed that there is a big drop of seminarians when I had visited a seminary in Goa,” he says, adding that one of the possible reasons for this could be that there is no much encouragement or enlightenment for children to join this ministry. “Although we are aware that this is a special calling and not all are called-we need to create a sort of an awareness to light that spark in the hearts of our young to join this ministry,” he says.
Braganza collaborated with his close friend Fernandes on the track. The duo has previously worked on songs like ‘Goodbye Monsoons’, ‘Goa Goa Ami Niz Goankar’, and ‘Gift Your Eyes’. For these tracks, Braganza handled the songwriting, while Alfin took care of the music arrangement. The two have a long musical history, having performed together in the band Heaven 7, with Fernandes on keyboards and Braganza as lead singer and rhythm guitarist.
Braganza also shares that he began composing and writing songs with his guitar at the age of 12. “I must have composed over 100 songs over the years and I still do. I believe it is my good Lord who has blessed me with this wonderful talent,” says the musician who has also released a Christmas album comprising of 10 original carols called ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ which was produced and marketed by the Pauline Sisters-Bombay. The lyrics of the album were written by his wife Maureen.
‘Wake Up Stand Up’ has received a positive response so far. The team plans to release versions in Konkani, Portuguese, Hindi and Spanish, sung by different artists. “Depending on the outcome, we may add versions in a few more languages so that this important message reached a wider audience.”
