Medina composer’s ‘Light to the Nations’ to debut Nov. 23 during Candlelight Walk

St. Francis Xavier Parish will host the world premiere of “Light to the Nations,” an original choral and orchestral work by Medina composer and music director Carissa Patton Young, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at St. Francis Xavier Church, 606 E. Washington St. The performance is free and open to the public.

The concert, part of Medina’s Candlelight Walk weekend, will feature singers from several local choirs, including Holy Martyrs, Medina Chorus, Medina UCC, Medina United Methodist Church, St. Francis Xavier and St. Martin of Tours, along with guest instrumentalists and soprano soloist Marian Vogel Fletcher.

Young, who serves as music director at St. Francis Xavier Parish, composed “Light to the Nations” over the summer. The piece is inspired by the “Canticle of Simeon,” also known as the “Nunc Dimittis” — a biblical text from the Gospel of Luke that has long been part of evening prayer services in many Christian traditions.

“Because this concert will occur as we approach the darkest time of the year and during Medina’s storied Candlelight Walk weekend, I wanted to incorporate a text that makes obvious reference to light — one familiar to many faith traditions,” Young said.

She explained that the text reflects both the longing for spiritual illumination and the hope that light brings during times of darkness — themes deeply connected to the season of Advent and to Medina’s annual winter festivities.

“In the same way that the lights around Medina’s Square bring comfort to those who may be grieving or struggling during these dark winter months, I hope this music can be a source of hope and peace to anyone who feels overcome by uncertainty and anxiety,” Young said.

The composition, which concludes with a doxology, weaves together scriptural imagery, orchestral depth and choral harmony to celebrate faith, hope and unity.

“Light to the Nations” will serve as both a musical offering for Medina’s Candlelight Walk and a prelude to St. Francis Xavier Parish’s upcoming feast day, celebrating the church’s namesake and its continued commitment to community through music and worship.

For more information, contact Carissa Patton Young at cyoung@sfxmedina.org or 330-764-8959.