Amid the grandeur of the Círio de Nazaré, which brings together millions of faithful in Belém, three young musical talents met and started a project that combines faith and music. The meeting of singers Rhenan Sanches, Jamily Tavares and Felipe Alcântara, which took place at the Festival Brasil de Todos Os Ritmos in 2022, culminated in the launch of the project “Bendito Encontro“. On July 5, the group released the song “Bendito Encontro – É Círio”, which will be the official theme for the opening of Círio de Nazaré 2024.
The Círio de Nazaré, one of the largest religious celebrations in Brazil and recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will be the stage for the official debut of the project. The opening show, scheduled for October 8th at Praça Santuário, will feature the performance of music that celebrates the festivity and devotion to Our Lady of Nazaré. Until the date of the event, the group will release two more songs and an EP, all with a young and vibrant approach, aiming to involve the new generation in the Círio tradition.
The Bendito Encontro project is not just an artistic expression, but a mission to spread faith and strengthen spiritual connection through music. The artists, with different trajectories, share a common vision: using music as a tool to fill the spiritual void and bring young people closer to Christian devotion. With a trajectory that mixes experience and innovation, Felipe Alcântara, Jamily Tavares and Rhenan Sanches promise an exciting celebration that reinforces the importance of faith and culture in the contemporary context.
What was the process like of meeting at Círio de Nazaré and deciding to move forward with the musical project together? What does this meeting represent for you?
RHENAN SANCHES: Gift from God, I feel like our rapport is as if we’ve known each other for a lifetime. Our director Tayana felt this and invited us to the project. We got it right away!
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: Everything happened very naturally. I have no doubt that God provided this meeting between us. It started in Vitória in Espírito Santo, Tay felt in his heart that we needed to get to know the Círio, at the Círio we sang and united in one heart to praise and thank God for the opportunity and this blessed meeting was so real and true that it overflowed into songs and in this very special moment for us.
JAMILY TAVARES: Our connection was natural, after we participated together in the tributes made on the balcony at the time of the transfer, there our project director (Tayana dos Santos) saw through Our Lady an opportunity to carry this message of what it means to be young in the church Catholic. For me, this meeting is a meeting of faith, of devotion, where we can give young Catholics the motivation to worship and serve without standards, without judgement.
To what extent do your personal experiences and individual stories influence the message and purpose of the “Bendito Encontro” project?
RHENAN SANCHES: Directly influences. The truth is that we all need God and unfortunately it is only through pain that we understand this. It was no different with me!
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: On a scale of 0 to 100, without a doubt, 100 percent! The Blessed Meeting sealed an individual calling for each one. Me, Rhenan and Jamily in different contexts and circumstances have our encounter with God and are nourished by this love. When we met, this gained strength and sound, and each one in their own way, brings their truth and their talent to offer to God. If it weren’t for our individual stories, this meeting would be meaningless.
JAMILY TAVARES: For me, completely… throughout my life, I have gone through some particular difficulties such as: moments of anxiety crisis, even a diagnosis of depression with the use of medication, the uncertainty of the future… These have always been empty that throughout They haunted me from a certain stage, and when participating in the 2023 Círio I felt at home, even though I was so far from my homeland. Our lady presented me with the project and held me close, reassuring me that the best is yet to come.
What was the experience of working with producer Tayana dos Santos like and what did this collaboration bring to the project?
RHENAN SANCHES: Tayana is an angel in our lives!! Very visionary, she spares no effort to make everything happen. I say that she is also very artistic, because she loves to create, innovate and we really enjoy this part of production too. It was a very good surprise to know that she was a devotee of Our Lady. We connect even more.
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: Tay is the link to everything. I’m sure God breathes ideas into her heart and she always allows herself to be guided with great care, love and dedication. It has been a great experience to work with her and to be able to see that the Blessed Encounter is the work of God.
JAMILY TAVARES: Tayana, You have always believed in me since the beginning we had there in 2022… But your mission goes much further, not only as a businesswoman, but as a Catholic and devoted to Our Lady. Your sensitivity in listening, understanding and understanding the 3 of us as artists has been paramount since the beginning of the project.
How important is the song “Bendito Encontro – É Círio” for the opening of the Círio de Nazaré in 2024, and what does it represent for you and the festivity?
RHENAN SANCHES: I feel this song is a gift. Gift given in honor of Our Lady, a gift for us interpreters for the opportunity, for the people of Pará, as it beautifully portrays our Taper and for everyone who listens, as there is no way not to be moved when listening.
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: This song is the result of a real experience, from someone who experienced everything for the first time and gave themselves over to the entire experience that Círio provides us. For me it has a very special meaning and I hope that everyone who listens to this song feels the truth in each word, melody and harmony to the point of feeling part of the Círio. Knowing that it is the opening theme makes me have even more affection and love for this song.
JAMILY TAVARES: A song full of History and Faith, which even those who don’t know Círio want to know and participate. We translated the feeling of participating in Círio 2023 and put it into melody and lyrics. A song that has enchanted many people from Pará due to the sensitivity of the details of the festival and also even my fellow countrymen from Espírito Santo.
How do you intend to connect the devotion of Círio de Nazaré with a younger audience through the songs and EP that will be released?
RHENAN SANCHES: I always leave everything in God’s hands. My mission is to prepare myself, give myself completely, bring our joy. We are just the instrument, the Holy Spirit makes everything happen!
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: We are three young people who seek to do God’s will, each in their own way, with their challenges, trials and blessings. We intend for young people to feel this truth and join us in God’s universal call, holiness!
JAMILY TAVARES: I believe that, with the message we bring every day on our social networks and also in our songs… It ends up becoming challenging, because talking about (faith + youth) is not easy. Many confuse the mission and purpose with a perfect life, a life without sins, without stumbling blocks. And in truth, God calls us to mission as we are.
What do you hope to convey with the song and the project as a whole? How do you want people to feel when listening to the music?
RHENAN SANCHES: We all have pain that needs to be healed, which often only God knows and only He can treat. I hope that when the music reaches the soul, it makes everyone open their hearts to the love of God and to the lap of Mary. Everyone needs to know and feel this peace!
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: I hope you feel called to do more for God and truly give yourself to Our Lady who helps us in this mission of reaching Jesus. May they pray with us and seek holiness every day of their lives.
JAMILY TAVARES: Broadcast Renewal, meeting with Our mother Mary, which is what I felt when I experienced the Círio for the first time. I hope that by listening to our sound, they can have this encounter of faith or even a reunion.
Each of you has a distinct musical trajectory. How do these differences influence the group dynamics and the sound of the “Bendito Encontro” project?
RHENAN SANCHES: That was my biggest expectation during recording. And I really liked it, it was something unique, each one with their own accent. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too.
FELIPE ALCÂNTARA: The mix of our musical styles, our cultures, our accents and our lives, brings the richness that spices up the Blessed Encontro. We are able to talk to a wide audience as many parts of Brazil are represented through us. May God bless us so that everything we are doing reaches people’s hearts and that they feel his love for us.
JAMILY TAVARES: In fact, I’m starting my life in a musical career, Projeto Bendito Encontro is my first work being released… Which made it easier for me to be in the project, since I’ve spent most of my life singing in the church close to house where my patron saint is Saint Barbara… This way I can bring my message as a Catholic and a practicing servant.
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