Voices of Power

Women of Worship

By Sarah Kittle

In the chancel of Chaldean Catholic churches, the voices of angelic choirs echo. At church, home, or studio, for Chaldeans, singing is not simply an act of worship; it’s a bridge between generations, a link to cultural identity, and a source of spiritual connection.

Music has always been important to the Catholic Church, which invented the first form of staff writing so that music could be communicated without memorization. The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, also known as Vatican II, declared that music was essential to the liturgy, making it “more beautiful and fitting for praising God.”

We spoke to several women who offer more than just beautiful melodies—they provide a sense of unity, continuity, and inspiration for their communities. Through their voices, they strengthen the bonds of faith, uphold traditions, and enrich the lives of those around them.

Singing is a powerful and ancient form of worship because it engages both the heart and the mind, allowing individuals to express their deepest reverence and devotion.

Jenelle Faranso, a local singer, explains it like this: “Singing has always been a part of me, and I’ll forever be grateful for those early moments that made me realize how much joy music can bring. I even remember feeling the Holy Spirit at such a young age…”

Jenelle admits she gets chills when chanting in church.

Sing, Choirs of Angels

Through music, worshipers can lift their voices in unity, creating a communal bond that transcends words alone. “Being a Christian Iraqi has instilled not just the faith,” shares Jenelle, “but the ability to share my voice with the community and the ability to sing Chaldean chants through church, which are ancient chants from biblical times.” The act of singing invites participants into a deeper emotional connection with their faith, as melodies and harmonies carry spiritual truths and messages in a way that spoken language often can’t.

Sheren Deza sings at weddings and funerals and is inspired by the other singers in the community. She sang with the St. Joseph choir 20 years ago, having joined because she was “so moved by their voices.”

The rhythm and cadence of song can also help to focus the mind and elevate the spirit, fostering a sense of awe and reverence. In this way, singing becomes a form of prayer, offering praise, thanksgiving, and supplication in a language that speaks directly to the soul, going beyond time, culture, and personal circumstance. Through song, worshipers offer not just their voices, but their whole selves in surrender and adoration.

“Catholics in particular have an astonishingly noble history in music,” writes Jeffrey Tucker, managing editor of Sacred Music and author of Sing Like a Catholic. “It is the Church’s tradition that formed the basis of Western music with Gregorian chant in the first millennium.”

Silvana Koja Mezo, Choir Director (Chaldean Mass) at Mother of God Cathedral, says her primary language is Chaldean. “I hold a deep admiration for it,” she says, “and consider myself fortunate to be proficient in it, enabling me to participate in traditional Chaldean hymns.”

Silvana’s father is a deacon, and she frequently observed him singing Chaldean daily prayers as well as specific prayers that corresponded to the Chaldean liturgical calendar. It affected her greatly. “My family has instilled in me the importance of serving the church wholeheartedly… At the age of six, I observed my older sisters actively participating in musical performances and various service activities within the church.”

Amy Brikho, like most of the others interviewed, found her love of music early. She currently heads the English choir at Holy Martyrs Church, which is fitting because church is where she fell in love with music.

“When a couple of my siblings and I moved to the states from Iraq in 1992, we started attending Saint Peter Catholic Church in San Diego. I was only 7 years old,” Amy recalls. “My sister joined choir with Sister Nada, and I attended with her. I fell in love with music and singing. I started to learn all the Arabic and Sureth hymns.”

Amy has moved several times since then, and wherever she goes, she always finds her choir.

Sheren was in 5th grade when someone asked her to sing in the school talent show. “I always thought everyone could sing,” she says. After she sang Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” and the feedback started coming in, she thought, “Wow, maybe I do sound different than everyone else.”

Sheren was often called upon to sing and dance to traditional music at family functions. “I was such a shy kid, but once the music played it gave me confidence to get up and move,” she shares. “Chaldean music was the first kind of music I ever listened to and is the foundation of my love for music.”

Chaldean Language and Hymns

The women who sing in Chaldean churches are more than performers—they are the guardians of tradition, the voices of faith, and the pillars of community. Through their music, they not only honor their spiritual and cultural heritage but also contribute to the emotional and social fabric of their communities.

Silvana has observed that music is especially moving at weddings and at Mass. “It not only aids in facilitating prayer but also enhances the spiritual atmosphere of these occasions,” she says.

And it helps the younger generation stay in touch with their history. “The translation of Chaldean hymns into English and their subsequent performance holds substantial potential to benefit the younger generation,” states Silvana. “Particularly for those individuals who lack proficiency in the Chaldean language.”

Sheren adds, “Our Chaldean churches do a wonderful job keeping the music alive, from our beautiful chants and hymns in church to the great job the summer camps do in teaching the children to dance the traditional line dances (Baggiya being a definite favorite among the kids).”

Amy shares, “I love our Chaldean heritage, the culture and traditions. Music is big in our community. Our songs (secular songs) have meaning…they tell stories. But when you hear a Chaldean hymn—wow, it speaks passion, love and sacrifice of Jesus. They are so powerful!”

Their songs, resonating with devotion, transcend the walls of the church, reaching into the hearts of all who hear them. In a world that often overlooks the quiet strength of women, these singers stand as vital figures who give their voices to something much larger than themselves—keeping the spirit of faith alive for future generations.

“Even though the Mass that we serve at Holy Martyrs is in English, we do include quite a few Chaldean hymns because of how powerful they are,” says Amy. “I also lead the Christmas play and have been able to teach younger generations the Christmas hymns in the Chaldean language, and it has been a fruitful thing to witness in our community.”

Praise & Worship

St. Augustine said that to sing is to pray twice. For centuries, Chaldean music has been a medium through which the people have expressed joy, sorrow, faith, and resilience. Jenelle shares, “Through melodies, rhythms, and lyrics, we connect deeply with our shared history, especially as a diaspora, preserving the essence of our identity despite the challenges of migration and displacement.”

“Every culture has special music connected to it,” says Amy. “We have some amazing instruments and music tones that are so special to our Chaldean culture. Our music brings people together with so much joy and love... It makes my heart so happy to be singing for Jesus and about Jesus.”

Amy and her choir include some contemporary praise and worship music during Mass, to connect with the younger parishioners. “We make them very prayerful,” she explains, “and when the younger generations sitting in Mass hear them, they recognize them from the radio or their favorite Christian singer.”

“For younger generations, I see music as a powerful tool for inspiration and empowerment,” shares Jenelle. “Many of us, especially those growing up in a diaspora, may sometimes feel torn between two cultures—our ancestral roots and the new world we navigate daily. By blending traditional Chaldean sounds with contemporary styles, I hope to bridge that gap and show that our culture is not just something from the past, but something vibrant and alive that can evolve with the times…Music is universal in its ability to uplift, heal, and connect, and I want my singing and music to be a reminder to the younger generation that they are capable of achieving greatness, regardless of the challenges they face.”

Jenelle goes on to say, “The Chaldean language, with its rich, ancient roots, provides a unique rhythm and cadence that shape the lyrical flow of my music. Singing in Chaldean allows me to connect with my heritage and express emotions in a way that feels authentic and personal. It also allows me to share the beauty of my culture with others, preserving a language that carries centuries of history.

“Chaldean music is more than just sound; it’s an expression of our heritage, our religion, and our community. Traditional instruments like the oud, tambourine, and they carry the weight of generations before us, echoing the cultural richness that has shaped who we are.”

“I am deeply grateful to my parents for encouraging me to follow a dream that wasn’t guaranteed,” says Jenelle, “but one I pursued with my heart, driven by the feeling of the Holy Spirit every time I sang. That feeling was, and still is, my true motivation.”

Amy gets inspiration from the congregation: “When my choir sings for Mass, the people sing with us! It brings so many emotions to my heart when I hear the people sing along with us…all I want, is for people to hear Jesus in my singing.”

Sheren sums it up nicely when she says, “I’m just one of God’s musical instruments.”