The VIII Music and Mystical Cycle in Madrid

The Church of the Christ of the Olivar of Madrid again hosts the ‘Music and mystical cycle’, An initiative of the Dominican friars that unites spirituality and music in a contemplative experience. Under the title “Reflexes of Hope”, this VIII Cycle is part of the Jubileo de la Esperanza 2025, offering five concerts between January and May.

The first concert will be on Friday, January 31 at 8:30 p.m., with the Magerit Coral Group. The following will be on February 21, March 21, April 25 and May 30. The Church is a Reference space for choral music In Madrid. According to Vicente Niño, the concerts began more than fifteen years ago, when the previous pastor, Carlos Robles, welcomed a choir that sought a place to sing. Since then, “the voice was ran that We were a cozy church“, He says.

The temple of the Christ of the Olivar stands out for its excellent acoustics, studied by the Autonomous University of Madrid in 2023. In addition, it houses weekly concerts and increases its activity in liturgical times such as Christmas and Easter.

Dominican music and spirituality

‘Music and mystical’ was born in 2016, on the occasion of the jubilee of the Order of Preachers. Your goal is link music and spirituality, following the Dominican tradition of caring for culture and dialogue with the world. “It’s not just about opening the Church to concerts, but to accompany each piece with a spiritual reflection,” explains Vicente Niño. In this edition, the cycle invites Reflect on hope as theological virtue. “Each concert reflects the real hope, which is born from knowing us loved by God,” he says.

Reflections and voices for prayer

The reflections that accompany the music come from readings of the friars, classic and contemporary texts, magisterium documents and references to the jubilee. “We are looking for suggestive texts They help prayer and introspection, ”says Vicente. The readings will be made by members of the parish community and the Dominican family of Madrid, Frailes and lay people. “It is not about vocal virtuosity, but about giving voice to an experience of faith,” he concluded.

A church open to its surroundings

This year, the organization of the cycle falls throughout the community of the convent, coordinated by the new pastor, Javier Garzón. After the march of Xabier Gómez to his episcopal mission in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, the friars continue with this event already consolidated.

Beyond the concerts, the Christ of the Olivar maintains its evangelizing mission with Theological training, liturgy, service to the most needy and dialogue with art and culture. “We want to be a cozy and open church to the cultural reality of our neighborhood,” the organizers conclude.