The Papal Mass

Doing the Wave!



Super easy going chaperones...right after people have cut in front of our group!
Wow, what a day we were up before dawn and on the road quickly thereafter! We were some of the first in St. Peter’s Square where we lined up to enter the Basilica. It was so much fun standing in line, then being moved, and then being moved again…only to be placed behind several of the choirs that arrived after we did…so our chaperones learned to understand “it’s out of our hands” Italian style. The kids were in great spirits while waiting in line and played the wave with other choirs, watched others dance around in the square and most importantly kept a keen eye out for line cutters. Our guides had informed us that nuns were notorious for cutting in the lines and pushing their way to the front, so every child was prepared to stare them down and create no openings when some presented themselves in our midst….because after all, it was all about getting to the front and staying with our group…not making friends today! What Christian spirit we have encouraged with this visit.

The choir had remarkable seats and when the Pope walked down the aisle, our group was within feet of His Holiness. They sang like angels, except when the German tenors seated behind us through off our voice parts. Following the Mass, the group entered the square where Pope Benedict XVI offered a blessing and addressed the people around the world in several languages.

The afternoon included guided tours of the two remaining basilicas that we have not yet seen here in Rome.

Happy New Year!

The group rang in the new year early...as we have 5:30am wake up calls and a 6:00 breakfast...but we still had fun! While the parents celebrated...the kids ran the halls blowing horns and screaming....not to worry however, all the other groups joined them.

Colosseum, Palatino, Forum, and more...

Today our group toured the Roman “Colosseo” where thousands of Christians were believed to be martyred throughout Roman history. Next we moved to the Forum where we toured the ruins of the ancient town and used our imagination to consider what this area might have been like at one time. The afternoon included many sites that families visited on their own and of course a delicious lunch and more shopping. Tonight we will ring in the New Year early at the religious housing because we have to be at St. Peter’s Basilica by 7am for the 10am Mass.

Here are a few more from yesterday's audience...

Check out the Pope's sweet red shoes...made for him by a Tuscan leather maker.

Free Time!

After the morning rehearsal and the audience with Pope Benedict, the group had free time. Some visited the Catacombs while others checked out the famous sites around the city including Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Via Condotti for some wonderful shopping experiences.

An Audience with the Pope

The full text of the Pope’s greeting:
Dear young members of the Pueri Cantores Federation,
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to welcome you today as you celebrate your thirty-sixth International Congress here in Rome and I thank you for the commitment you have shown to the apostolate of choral singing in the liturgy. In Saint Augustine’s words: “singing is an expression of joy and … love” (Sermo 34:1). As you use your talents and your faith to sing God’s praises, you give voice to the natural desire of every human being to glorify him, with songs of love. It is hard to find words to convey the sheer joy of the soul’s loving encounter with God, indeed the great mystics could only remain silent before the mystery. Yet beautiful music is able to express something of the mystery of God’s love for us and ours for him, as we are reminded by the theme chosen for your Congress, Deus Caritas Est.
Always remember that your singing is a service. Firstly, it is a service to God, a way of giving him the praise that is due. It is also a service to your fellow worshippers, helping them to raise their hearts and minds to the Lord in prayer. And it is a service to the whole Church, offering a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy that is the goal of all true worship, when the choirs of angels and saints unite in one unending song of love and praise.
I greet especially the groups present today from the United States, Sweden, Ireland, Latvia and South Korea. I encourage you to persevere in your good work, I assure you of my prayers, and I gladly invoke upon you God’s abundant blessings.














This morning is one that will never be forgotten for those in our travel group. Following the choral practice at the Sala Nervi the Holy Father visited the children of Pueri Cantores to bestow a blessing. As he approached the stage at the front of the hall the children sang the Congress theme song, Deus Caritas Est and it truly brought tears to everyone's eyes. Following this the group sang Adeste Fidelis and Hark the Herald Angels Sing and then the group was presented to the Pope by the President of Pueri Cantores. In turn, Benedict blessed the group and thanked them for using their God given talents to praise the Lord.

More from our busy, busy day!

So we staged one photo....