Australia-based Catholic priest, singer, songwriter and author, Fr Rob Galea will be enthralling and uplifting youth in Goa by his spiritual renditions and music on September 9 at Pilar. This initiative is by the Goa Province (Society of Pilar) and presented by the Pilar Music Academy.
Currently an assistant priest at St Kilian’s Catholic Church, Bendigo, in the diocese of Sandhurst, Fr Rob has significant evangelistic and outreach ministry, speaking and singing at schools, conferences and churches around Australia and across the globe. His evangelical ministry became more vibrant and reached millions via YouTube channel during the Covid-19 pandemic with online mass services.
Fr Rob has authored a book, ‘Breakthrough’, which is a reflective journal and is intended to be released as a Hollywood movie in 2025. He also has eight album releases to his credit.
After being selected to sing and write the English and international versions of the official 2008, 2016, 2019 and 2023 World Youth Day songs, Fr Rob entered the realm of the cast of musicians having performed in some key events before an estimated single live audience of over 1,000,000 people. He has also been the contestant in Australia’s 2015 ‘The X Factor’.
From frequenting nightclubs in Paceville, near his home in eastern Malta, to being ordained to priesthood in 2010, Fr Galea serves as a priest today, drawing youth worldwide to Christ through his songs and music. In 2008, as a youth, Fr Rob co-founded the Stronger Youth Program—a series of youth retreats, rallies and small groups—in the diocese of Sandhurst, Victoria, which was later expanded to Perth and South Australia.
Way back after his live performance in Kerala, as a renowned international singer, Fr Rob will be performing in Goa for the first time, with three musicians to accompany him. “His parishioner, Frankey Fernandes, who hails from Goa and now settled in Australia, was keen in getting Fr Rob’s show in Goa,” informs Fr Myron Sequeira, the director of the Pilar Music Academy.
Fr Myron adds that apart from the two-hour musical programme solely by Fr Rob Galea, there will be local bands, namely Acacio (Veg Wood) with Elvis Mascarenhas and Cielda performing and Bonny Alex Dias and his wife Shalisha Fernandes and Joe D’Costa performing separately.
“There’s also a hymn ‘Ave Maria’ by Ines Barros and a video dance choreographed by Cecille Rodrigues along with the Pilar Youth,” says Fr Myron about the three-hour programme.
A song ‘Golden Peace’ composed by Fr Jerry Fernandes and music set by
Fr Myron Sequeira and Andrew Ferrao with singers, musicians and dancers from across 86 countries will be released on the occasion. Throwing some light on the new song release, Fr Myron mentions that in the song ‘Golden Peace’, there
are 69 live instruments recorded, besides 72 singers from 86 countries. He said total artistes in the song is 316, while the original rap, lyrics and music is by Sharlaine Menezes from Goa. The song has been mixed and mastered by Joe D’Costa.
Various preparations for this mega event, which began way back in the month of May, will conclude on September 9 on the Pilar hillock with a 3-hour musical programme beginning from 6 pm onwards. “The aim behind such an international mega show in Goa is to inspire the youth coming across the nation, help people from different walks of life experience divine music and a golden opportunity to interact with an international singer,” the organizers informs.
Regarding this one of its kind event happening at Pilar, the provincial of the Society of Pilar (Goa province), Fr Mateus Fernandes says that it’s a joyous moment to see the excitement among people, who were eagerly waiting for such a show in Goa. “It gives me a lot of joy,” he continues, “as there are around 120 youth volunteers between the age 18-25 involved in the show and shouldering various responsibilities.”
“With tickets being sold out and 4,500 odd people attending the musical show,” Fr Mateus is optimistic, “Young and the old will get an opportunity to know more about Fr Rob Galea, Jesus and Pilar as well. It’s encouraging, noting that people are motivated and supporting us in this event through their presence and prayers,” he concludes.