And God Created Beyoncé: The Phenomenon Of Pop Star-Inspired Christian Masses
The halo of the Houston artist has inspired a religious service that uses her life and her successes to preach the Christian message and that has already reached cities such as New York, Los Angeles or Lisbon.
The atmosphere was conducive. Just days before the Reverend Yolanda Norton decided to step down the aisle for the first time, Beyoncé had done her own thing in her private pulpit, the scene of the Coachella festival, before a few tens of thousands more. On April 14, 2018, dressed as an Egyptian goddess, the artist rose as the first black woman to lead the poster of the prestigious contest, displaying a spectacle so overwhelming that even her legion of faithful asked that the appointment be renamed from then on. like Beychella. His was a concert worthy of making atheists blessed. Literally. Just nine days later, more than a thousand people gathered on a Wednesday afternoon in a cathedral in San Francisco - which barely usually gathers fifty - to worship the singer at a mass that today has become a global phenomenon.
The Beyoncé Masses are services that are inspired by the life, lyrics and music of the star to reflect on the influence of gender and race on the Christian faith, especially regarding the role of black women within it. The Hosanna in Heaven and the What a joy when they told me have given way to the Survivor, Halo or Listen, hits by the Texan singer that, like the gospel, act as a catalyst and common thread of the ceremony. The one in San Francisco, at Grace Cathedral, was the first to be held with Yolanda Norton, a professor specializing in the Old Testament, as creator and preacher. Malcolm Clemens, dean of the institution, explained the purpose of the service that was to take place within its sacred walls: “God is in all things and Beyoncé has been created in the image and likeness of God. The Church has not treated black women fairly and it is time to face that truth. " It is not the first time that the congregation has dared with metaphors of this caliber since in the 60s they offered one that had as its central figure the jazz legend Duke Ellington.
Norton had already given a workshop on the matter entitled Beyoncé and the Hebrew Bible at the seminary where she works, but she herself could not imagine the success of a project that has traveled half the world to officiate in cities like Los Angeles, New York or Lisbon . In addition to the sermon offered by Norton, the ceremony is based on the reading of different episodes of the sacred scriptures that establish parallels with the lyrics or life events of the artist, while a choir and a group of dancers perform some of her most recognizable hits . "It is empowering and liberating for all of us who are not Beyoncé to allow ourselves to feel the things we feel, knowing that this woman who seems to have it all has also gone through the same traumas and misfortunes that we do," says the reverend in The New York Times.
The Beyoncé Masses have faced criticism from more fundamentalist believers who claimed that the service revered the Crazy in love performer above Jesus Christ himself. Despite threats via social media, emails, and phone calls, each ceremony has been held successfully and quietly, bringing together a surprising number of non-practitioners. “The message I hear when I come to Mass is that there is room for everyone here. Being a transgender person, the Church has never been a safe or friendly place to me, ”explains Andy, a student who plays bass at Mass. “The important thing is that they have put black women at the center of the conversation, and it is not something we are used to. But the most rewarding thing is seeing people of all ages, colors and sizes come together to worship and talk, ”added Ayana, a native of Oakland, in the San Francisco Chronicle.
The ceremony is classified as womanist, a movement that, they argue, differs from feminism because of the latter's greater identification with white women. “Mujerismo recognizes and celebrates the lives, beauty, culture, spirituality and experiences of black women and is committed to the survival, well-being and integrity of the whole world,” they grant. On their website they offer the possibility of contracting the celebration of these events in any community, congregation, seminary or non-governmental organization.
The winner of 22 Grammy Awards has not yet publicly commented on what she thinks of this divine worship towards her person, but she is not the only great star in the world of music to have an entire church at her service. Kanye West, rapper and close friend of the marriage formed by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, has been officiating a Sunday mass for months before a select group of guests in which he combines gospel music with spirituality and sensory experience. In the very long list of celebrity attendees we find names like Brad Pitt, Katy Perry, Sia and, of course, the entire Kardashian clan. West was explicit about what mixes the two elements: “Hip-hop is, in a way, a religion and rappers are the preachers, the music the scriptures… You go to a concert, you put your hands up in the air, you sing. songs and yes, you pay some money. It's like going to church. "
