Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) launched a new chapel anthem honoring St. Paul VI, St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta during a special Mass on October 9 at its headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila, as the Catholic broadcaster prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2029.
Titled Our Dearest Three Saints, the hymn was composed by Filipino songwriter Mark Anthony Cuevas and commissioned by RVA for its Three Saints Chapel. Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, officially launched the song by pressing a button before blessing the chapel’s statues and newly installed pews.
The launch formed part of the RVA@60 launching celebration, which also included the installation of the three saints’ statues, the blessing of the station’s facilities and the dedication of 2027 to Pope St. Paul VI.
The anthem’s structure reflects the distinct contributions of the three saints to the Church and RVA’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel across Asia.
Its recurring chorus invokes “Popes Paul and John” and Mother Teresa as patrons whose lives offer examples for the faithful to follow. It asks for their intercession so that RVA’s mission may become “one voice” proclaiming Christ’s name.
The first verse honors St. Paul VI, who inaugurated RVA’s ministry in Manila in 1969. It recalls his vision of using modern communications to bring the Church’s message to people across cultures and geographical boundaries, describing his legacy as a spark of hope connecting the Church with people around the world.
The second verse pays tribute to St. John Paul II, emphasizing his defense of human dignity, concern for the vulnerable and encouragement to young people through his familiar appeal, “Do not be afraid.”
The bridge turns to St. Teresa of Calcutta, whose quiet witness and compassion for people in need embody the personal, caring dimension of RVA’s evangelizing mission. Its reference to love that reaches beyond closed doors recalls the saint’s commitment to people who are poor, abandoned and forgotten.
The hymn concludes with a prayer asking the three saints to intercede for the station and its mission.
Cuevas has previously collaborated with RVA through his composition “Stewards of Creation,” the official song for the platform’s 2025 campaign marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for care of the common home.
The Oct. 9 celebration brought together nearly 100 faithful, including bishops, priests, religious and RVA language service coordinators from across Asia. Bishops concelebrating included Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit Jr. of San Pablo, Bishop Mylo Hubert Claudio Vergara of Pasig, Bishop Roberto Gaa of Novaliches, and Bishop Jose Silva of Sri Lanka..
The new anthem adds a musical expression to RVA’s spiritual heritage, linking the vision of its founding pope, the unifying witness of St. John Paul II and the compassionate service of St. Teresa of Calcutta with its continuing mission to bring the Gospel to Asia’s diverse peoples.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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