If you spend any time on social media, you very likely have seen the clip of the Brazilian "beatboxing nuns" dancing on the Catholic television program Pai Eterno, "Eternal Father."
Sisters Marizele Cassiano and Marisa de Paula, members of the Copiosa Redencao congregation, showed off their skills alongside the show's presenter Deacon Giovani Bastos. The moment is a delightful celebration, one that resonated far and wide and was been picked up by news outlets around the world.
Since the video first aired in late May, Sr. Marizele Cassiano, the "beatboxer" of the two sisters, has gained 100,000 followers on Instagram. But not much more has been shared on social media about the sisters themselves, who, as it turns out, are a lot more than just great singers and dancers.
So, who are these "beatboxing nuns," and what are they so joyful about?
"Vocation, vocation, vocation ...."
The lyrics of their song translate to "vocation," and being called to religious life. Sr. Marizele launched into their impromptu performance to spread the word about an upcoming vocational retreat in their area.
"That moment was very spontaneous," Sr. Marizele told the Associated Press in a recent interview. "Because with Sr. Marisa, if you start a beat, she will dance. And I'm used to singing, to beatboxing, so for us it was very simple, spontaneous, and at the same time very surprising to see that it went viral even outside Brazil."
The sisters' congregation's website offers insight into their mission of creating therapeutic communities that help young people battle addiction. The sisters also work as vocation promoters in order to welcome others into the religious life, specifically through the powerful tool of music.
Recording artist and songwriter
Sr. Marizele's eight-song album Celebrate the Redemption is available through her congregation's website. Four of her songs are original compositions, including the album's title track, which she said "exploded within her" while praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
"Beatboxing, dancing, and the songs itself, are tools that God uses to reach the hearts of the people we work with," Sr. Marizele said.
"And it works! It's beautiful to see."
