“During the lockdown one thing became evident and was magnified; the amount of people who live on the streets. Constantly being bombarded by the famous slogan, STAY HOME! I asked myself, where is their home? Where do they find warmth? And where is charity?” states Majela.
Dancing solo on the empty streets of Johannesburg, around an empty dustbin Majela evokes the devastating reality that many homeless people find their sustenance in discarded leftovers and for so many even this “last supper” was removed when people were forced to stay home.
During this time Majela faced an emotionally difficult time without electricity for the lockdown period. “However, I had shelter, I had a roof. Artistically I ask where charity is, if the place that had provided so much, food, warmth, shelter and security is desolate and bereft… Where does one go?”
Musically Majela’s feelings were complimented by the UJ Choir’s rendition of Ubi Caritas written by Paul Mealor written for the royal wedding in 2011. The song’s use during Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction of the Blessed and as an antiphon during the Catholic Church’s washing of the feet – commemorating the Last Supper – has made it a prayer and there Majela found answers to his question “Where charity and love are, God is there”.
Song: Ubi Caritas – Paul Mealor (1974)
Paul Mealor wrote this piece for the Royal Wedding in 2011, which was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey
Title: The Last Supper