OUR PATRONS
St. Cecilia
Saint Cecilia is a saint venerated in the Latin Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox churches, as well as some churches of the Anglican Communion. She is one of seven women, in addition to the Blessed Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. Her feast day is on November 22.Every year HAC profoundly celebrates the holy mass on the feast of Saint Cecilia along with the blessing of the throats.HAC has a revered insight and an immense admiration towards Saint Cecilia.
She is the patron saint of HAC, as she is regarded as the patron saint of musicians and a person who loved to sing and play instruments since her young days. Saint Cecilia is frequently depicted playing the viola, a small organ, or other musical instruments, evidently to express what was often attributed to her, that while the musicians played at her nuptials, she sang in her heart to God.
St. Gregory the Great
Pope Gregory I commonly known as Saint Gregory the Great, was the bishop of Rome from 3 September 590 to his death. The mainstream form of Western plainchant was attributed to Pope Gregory I and so took the name of Gregorian chant. Almost three centuries after the pope's death, the chant still bears his name.Gregorian chant is monophonic, or unison, liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church, used to accompany the text of the mass and the canonical hours, or divine office.
Roman Catholic Church still officially considers it the music most suitable for worship. One of HAC’s leading intent is to promote and use Gregorian chant especially by chanting of the responsorial psalms. HAC has a great sense of admiration towards the works of St Gregory the great, thus chosen as our patron saint. At every Eucharistic celebration with HAC, the responsorial psalm is chanted in honor of St Gregory the Great. Every year HAC celebrates holy mass on the feast of St. Gregory the Great which is on September 3rd.
His Eminence Most Rev. Cardinal Poola Anthony
His Eminence most Rev. Cardinal Anthony Poola was appointed as Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad on 19th November, 2020 and elivated to cardinal on 27th August 2022. He had specialized training in CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Department of Pastoral Care and Education, Kalamazoo, U.S.A from 2001-2002 and a Course on Religion & Theological Engagement at Loyola University, Chicago, IL U.S.A from 2002-2003.
​
​
He is a lyricist and music composer and a good singer. He has produced and published number of Audio Cassettes and ACDs… to name a few; "Sneha Sravanthi, Divya Kanthi, Saraagam, Jeevanaraagam, Nene Neevai, and Amrutha Varshini".