Joseph’s brand new saintly composition strikes the right note

A FORMER member of the Irish Minstrels CCÉ in Glasgow has been chosen to compose a brand new piece of music for a special Mass dedicated to St Carlo Acutis.

Joseph Armstrong—who now lives and works in Donegal—was approached by Ann Giblin, a former music teacher in Falcarragh, to write a piece of music for the Mass in Teach Pobail Chríost Rí, which would not only honour the new saint but would also mark the renaming of the Gort an Choirce National School, to Scoil Naomh Carlos Acutis.

After speaking with Ann about how special the Mass was for the community, the school and more importantly the students of Scoil Náisiúnta Gort an Choirce—now called Scoil Naomh Carlo Acutis—Joseph said that he sat down and simply prayed to Carlos Acutis and the music came to him effortlessly. In fact, he said it took roughly 25 minutes.

He recorded the music—playing every instrument—and uploaded it online creating a QR code (below) so that anyone can listen to the piece anytime, anywhere around the world.

In attendance at the Mass were the Bishop of Raphoe, Niall Coll (above with Joseph), and a delegation from Italy including Mgr Anthony Figueiredo.

Joseph named the piece An Bealach go Neamh, meaning ‘The Way to Heaven’ after St Carlo’s motto: “The Eucharist is my Highway to Heaven.”

Mgr Figueiredo stated that was very touched by this and promised he would take a copy of it firstly to St Carlo’s parents, before placing it under his tomb in Assisi in Italy.

Joseph also presented another framed copy to the Principal of Scoil Naomh Carlo Acutis, Patricia Uí hArlaigh (Patricia Harley), which now hangs in the school. Patricia—along with her dedicated staff—have worked tirelessly for 10 years to bring all this to fruition. Scoil Naomh Carlo Acutis is the first school in Ireland to be named after the saint.

“An Bealach go Neamh has been well received so I’m delighted and feel proud that I’ve been able to contribute to such a special occasion and represent my family,” Joseph said. “The piece has since been presented to St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock and hangs on the wall there. As a former pupil and teacher that makes me really happy. “

An Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly recently visited the Rosses in Donegal and Joseph performed An Bealach go Neamh for her during her visit.