We Believe festival debrief!

Wow. I've just recovered from an amazing weekend at the We Believe festival, an event gathering together Catholics from all over the country (and even beyond!)

I'm still processing everything that happened, all the beautiful conversations I had with so many people, meeting some of you who listen to my music (!!)

It was really special. Even though the weekend was super busy and I was behind my stall most of the weekend, there was such a deep peace in my heart the whole time and I felt like I was meant to be there, somehow.

My singing/performance/guided-sung-prayer in the chapel (I don't know what to call it!) was particularly special for me. I didn't expect so many people to be there at all. It was a short little "set" where I knelt at the altar rails of that glorious Pugin chapel and invited everyone there to lift up their hearts as I lifted up my voice in Gregorian chant and song. 

Yeah, I was pretty nervous to sing at such a big event, but the best part was that the Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the altar, so it was like Jesus was right there receiving my little musical gift.

(I sadly don't have a media coverage person for some swanky photos...!)

I really hope the opportunity opens up for me to do that again sometime. I've never considered public "performing" one of my strengths at all, but somehow this format - kneeling with everyone, saying some words about what the chant means and how I hope to convey the meaning, and guiding a short meditation on the chant before singing.... I just felt like I was really meant to do this, and I hope this can continue to be a part of my Like the Hart apostolate in the future. If anyone knows how to make that dream a reality, please feel free to reach out!

If you'd be interested in the handout for that session, you can download it here:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QXX1Ui3NiJUJUEY29o7SRBlYuCm...

What was also pretty cool was that, over the course of the weeks before the festival, I'd gathered a load of Like the Hart themed goodies for sale at my marketplace stall! T-shirts, stickers, bookmarks, pendants, and my hand-made holy water fonts :) 

There was something pRETTY AWESOME about seeing people going around wearing a t-shirt that I designed!! (check out The Shop here!)

I've had so many beautiful conversations, some of which I've had with you readers! Thank you so much for stopping by, for sharing your love for music and your generous compliments of my work - let us remain united in prayer and spiritual fellowship!

--Raya