For the Durán family of St. Gabriel Parish, music ministry has been both a nurturing force for their faith and a source of strength
Editor's note: This story was first published in Detroit Catholic en Español, the Spanish-language sister publication of Detroit Catholic.
DETROIT — In the heart of Detroit, within the walls of St. Gabriel Church, a family experienced a profound transformation after enduring immense pain.
Sometimes, it is through suffering that God draws His children closer to the source of true happiness — the very essence that gives life meaning. As the English writer C.S. Lewis once said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
During their time of grieving the loss of a loved one, Esmeralda Durán and her family discovered comfort and support within the Church. In those difficult moments, music ministry emerged as a beacon of hope, signifying the beginning of a spiritual renewal.
Rubí Martínez, who at that time was leading the children's choir at St. Gabriel Parish, played a crucial role in this journey of healing and encountering God. Her invitation to join the choir was the first step toward a genuine discovery of faith. Since then, the entire Durán family has been actively involved in various ministries and evangelization groups, nurturing a close relationship with the Church and its community.
In an interview with Detroit Catholic en Español, Durán, a mother of 10, shared how the Motor City became the place where the family truly encountered God. Coming from a small town in Mexico where opportunities to participate in the Church were limited, Durán and her husband weren't very involved in their faith.
"We only had one priest who celebrated Mass occasionally, but here we have three celebrations on Sundays," she said. "Considering our background, we truly appreciate all the opportunities provided by the Archdiocese of Detroit, especially our parish. It has been a blessing for us."
Durán feels deeply grateful for the different groups and ministries that offer assistance and support. These opportunities allow people of all ages to actively participate in the Church and feel like valued members of the community.
Her children also benefited. They not only acquired musical skills, but deepened their faith and formed new connections, eventually considering St. Gabriel as their second home.
"I am incredibly grateful to God for all that we've been given," Durán expressed. "And I think it's important to give back in some way. I encourage my children to share their faith and the knowledge they've gained with other families. It's a form of evangelization — a means to help more families find God and join this wonderful community."
Her commitment to the Church, nurtured through active involvement in various ministries, has strengthened both familial and spiritual bonds. “Without God at the center of our lives, we can't face the challenges or battles that come our way each day," she said.
Thanks to liturgical music, the family has found a path to God amidst adversities. It's not just a tool for prayer and praise, but also a means for spiritual formation and community encounter.
Reyna Durán, Esmeralda's oldest daughter, started her musical journey at the age of 12, finding inspiration to deepen her faith.
"Through the music ministry, my siblings and I found a place to share our talents, which has motivated us to invite others," Reyna said. "Young people should explore their talents and use them to serve God, to attract more people and make them feel part of the community."
During the Third International Meeting of Choirs, held in November 2018, Pope Francis underscored the significance of music: “Music is particularly important, representing as it does a real environment in which the young are constantly immersed, as well as a culture and a language capable of arousing emotion and shaping identity,” the pope said at the time.
He emphasized that music serves as a powerful instrument of evangelization, enhancing the celebration of sacraments, particularly the Holy Eucharist.
Liturgical music serves a sacred purpose: enriching the spiritual and communal experience of believers. For the Durán family, it has been a cornerstone in their lives and faith. Not only has it brought them together in prayer and worship, providing a sacred space to share their joys and sorrows, but it has also deepened their understanding of the Mass and influenced how they live it.
Music belongs to the realm of heaven. Angels sang hymns at the birth of Baby Jesus, and the liturgy invites the faithful to join the celestial choirs, echoing the Holy, Holy, Holy, before the consecration. As Psalm 100 says, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”
As Esmeralda's children grow and become more involved in the Church's ministries, they also become role models for the younger members of the community. Their active participation in parish activities inspires others to follow in their footsteps and discover the transformative power of worship through music.
One valuable life lesson Martinez taught the family was to continue participating in the choir and remain actively involved in church groups. Last month, she invited them to take part in the first workshop for Hispanic liturgical musicians in the celebration of the Eucharist.
"There were many things that we didn't know, so it was a day of great enrichment. My siblings and I were happy to learn from Jaime Cortez and Anna Betancourt because we've been singing their songs since we were little," Reyna explained.
During the workshop, the family was able to dive deeper into vocal techniques, improve their understanding of liturgical music, and strengthen their connection with fellow believers.
Through this ministry, the Duráns have found comfort during times of sorrow, communion amidst loneliness, and hope in moments of desolation. In life's symphony, God always finds a place in open and receptive hearts through music.
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