‘Hip-Hop Mass’ Celebrated by Cardinal Wilton Gregory

A new musical blending contemporary hip-hop music and Catholic liturgy debuted Feb. 14-16 at the Lyke House, a Catholic Newman Center serving historically Black colleges in Atlanta.

The “Hip-Hop Mass” from composer Kevin Johnson consists of 24 songs in the order of a Mass. The production includes choreography, liturgical dance and even a depiction of the Eucharistic Prayer.

“The beauty of the ‘Hip-Hop Mass’ is bringing young people back to the church,” Johnson said.

The ensemble cast in the performances this month in Georgia consisted of choreographers, actors and students affiliated with the Lyke House. Johnson emphasized that there was no way to create the project without including young adults.

“[It] was an opportunity to engage young people, which stems from the missionary discipleship program at the Lyke House, where we could actually work with collegiates,” he said.

Before the premiere, the cast performed some of the music at Morehouse College on Feb. 13 at an induction Mass for a portrait honoring the late Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver for their human and civil rights contributions.

The liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, an African American cardinal who formerly led the Atlanta Archdiocese for nearly 15 years from 2005 to 2019.

Continue reading at National Catholic Reporter