The Neocatechumenal Way celebrates 50 years in Oviedo with the presence of Kiko Argüello and Archbishop Jesús Sanz Montes

Concert in Oviedo

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Neocatechumenal Way in Asturias, the Archbishop of Oviedo, Monsignor Jesús Sanz Montes, presided over the solemn Vigil of the Immaculate Conception with the Neocatechumenal communities of the Asturian capital.

On Monday, December 8, Kiko Argüello presented his symphonic work at the Príncipe Felipe Auditorium in Oviedo. Before the concert began, the archbishop of the diocese, Jesús Sanz, opened the event with a prayer before the 1,500 people in attendance, who were joined by more than 24,000 people connected online. Among those present were communities from the Neocatechumenal Way in northwestern Spain and the Redemptoris Mater Seminaries of Oviedo, León, Lugo, Orense, Burgos, Vitoria, Murcia, and Bayonne.

“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We thank you, Lord, for this gathering on the occasion of a story that began here 50 years ago and that our brothers continue to write day by day. Life is an unfinished symphony; you write the lyrics of our biography, and we humbly compose the music of our notes. With you, we create a beauty that can convert and open the hearts of the people to whom you send us to proclaim the Kerygma that saves them. With the protection of our Mother, the Immaculate Virgin, and all our Saints, we present this act as a tribute of gratitude for the unfinished history of the Neocatechumenal Way here in Asturias. Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Mons. Jesús Sanz Montes

Kiko Argüello began his speech by saying:

“I am thrilled to celebrate the concert at this festival, because the Neocatechumenal Way was inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary on the very day of the Immaculate Conception.”

When presenting his first symphonic work, “The Suffering of the Innocents”, Kiko expressed how he has always been moved by the figure of the Servant of Yahweh announced by Isaiah, relating this image to the Holy Shroud of Oviedo and the Holy Shroud of Turin:

“A man full of pain, whose wounds have brought us peace. I have depicted his face several times, following the image on the Holy Shroud. I was impressed to learn that the latest research identifies the figure on the Shroud of Turin with that on the Holy Sudarium, which has been preserved for over 1,000 years in Oviedo Cathedral. Church tradition says that this small linen cloth is the Holy Shroud that covered Christ’s head after his death. The latest studies confirm that it covered the head of a crucified man, crowned with thorns and with many wounds.”

After the performance of the symphony, Kiko introduced the symphonic poem “The Messiah”, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Christian witness in the face of persecution:

“The persecution of Christians currently taking place around the world is something that challenges us, because even we could be involved. As were Saint Eulalia, Saint Pelayo, Saint Eulogio, and so many other martyrs whose relics are preserved in Oviedo. The last ones in this diocese were the seminarians of Oviedo, martyred in the persecution against the Church in the 1930s. The blood of Christians continues to be shed in the 21st century to remind us that, in the Blood of Christ, God freely offers his forgiveness to all men.”

The orchestra of the Neocatechumenal Way, composed on this occasion of 97 musicians and 120 choristers, under the baton of the prestigious conductor Tomáš Hanus, masterfully performed Kiko Argüello’s symphonic work: the symphony “The Suffering of the Innocents” and the symphonic poem “The Messiah.”

The concert exceeded all expectations; given the audience’s enthusiasm, the orchestra had to play several encores, which were acclaimed by everyone.