NEWPORT, R.I. – His award-winning music can be found on iTunes and in church hymn books throughout the country. His ability to connect with diverse audiences has earned him the moniker of “undercover Ninja catechist,” among many others.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, renowned “Catholic lay evangelist” Jesse Manibusan will host an evening of music and storytelling when he performs at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel on the campus of Salve Regina University, Ochre Point Avenue, at 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Salve Regina’s Mercy Center for Spiritual Life, the concert is free and open to the public.
Manibusan served for many years as a music minister and youth minister in various parishes in the Diocese of Oakland, Calif. He currently resides in Grapevine, Texas and continues to deliver his brand of SPAM (spirit, peace and mercy) to audiences across the country.
Very much in demand as a motivational speaker, Manibusan’s uplifting message reverberates across generations. He has introduced the Pope and performed before 500,000 people at World Youth Day. He’s also presented before 25,000 youth at numerous National Catholic Youth Conferences sponsored by the National Conference of Catholic Youth Ministry. And he’s sung for an audience as small as one at a confirmation retreat.
His recordings showcase a versatile singing voice, featuring ballads like “Open My Eyes” and “Fly Like a Bird,” rockers like “Power of Peace” and “Fish With Me,” and hip hop tunes like “Another Day” and “What’s the Word.”
His song, “MC God” is the Unity Award-winning Rap/Hip Hop Song for 2003, and “Malo, Malo, Thanks Be to God” was selected to appear on the official CD of World Youth Day 2002. Manibusan has also been named Artist of the Year by the United Catholic Music and Video Association.
For more information about Manibusan’s free concert, contact Chris Gosselin, campus minister at Salve Regina, at Christopher.gosselin@salve.edu.