Dear Singers and Pilgrims,
Happy New Year and welcome to our pilgrimage!
38 singers and guests will leave for Rome in just over one
month. We are very excited about this trip and want you to know that you can
now expect weekly information. In order to facilitate communication, we would ask that you
provide a preferred email address; this address will not be shared with other
travelers. You also need to let us know whether or not you are a singer and
what voice part you sing. We have a pretty clear understanding of who is
singing, but want to be certain we have not missed anyone.
After a bit of an uncertain start, we find ourselves with a
comfortable number of participants and singers. Singers in the Twin Cities and
Chicago are about to begin rehearsals and those from across the country will be
sent music and a recording so that they may prepare on their own.
Here is some information about particular dates and liturgies.
On Friday, the day we arrive, we will no doubt be tired. But we
are scheduling an evening prayer service at San Giorgio in Vilabro (Rome). The
Basilica is home to the (English speaking) Crosier Community in Rome.
(Minnesota singers and pilgrims know of the Crosiers’ work in Shoreview and
throughout the state.) This will allow us to gather, relax, rehearse, sing and
pray in a “friendly” venue. As luck has it, this Basilica is literally next door
to our hotel! We will be singing a setting of evening prayer composed by Fr.
Michael Joncas for use in this very space, celebrating the 800th
anniversary of the Crosier Order.
Our travel dates were chosen quite some time ago, long before we
knew Pope Benedict would resign and Pope Francis would be elected. However, the
dates of travel were quite intentional. We scheduled our trip to coincide with
the Feast of the Chair of Peter, a day in the liturgical calendar focusing on
the papacy. We figured there was a good chance that we would be able to
participate in a papal liturgy that day. Furthermore, there have been a handful
of times since the Second Vatican Council when new Cardinals were created on
the Feast of the Chair of Peter. We gambled that 2014 would be such a year and
our gamble paid off! You have no doubt heard that Pope Francis named 19 new
Cardinals last Sunday. On Saturday we will attend the simple liturgy at which
the new Cardinals receive their hats and rings. On Sunday, we will join with the
Sistine Chapel Choir (and other possibly other choirs) in singing at a Mass
with Pope Francis and the new Cardinals. Clearly, our attendance at these
liturgies will be a once in a lifetime musical and liturgical experience. It is
going to be a very busy, crowded and hectic weekend, but we believe the
experiences of this weekend will far exceed any discomforts we will encounter.
Monday Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Santa Praesede, featuring some
of the most magnificent and oldest mosaics in Rome. Tuesday finds us singing in
Assisi for Mass and Wednesday’s Mass will be at the Basilica of Saint Paul
Outside the Walls.
We are delighted to have Fr. Michael Joncas with us for the
entire pilgrimage presiding at our Masses and sharing his insights of Rome and
the places we will be visiting. We will also have a local guide with us for the
entire trip.
All participants will receive a “pilgrim’s hymnal” containing
music, prayer texts and other necessary items to get us through the week.
Singers will receive a binder of choral music. These will be distributed at the
first rehearsal or via mail.
Please note that ALL participants – singers and non singers –
will need to pack a white shirt/blouse and black pants/skirt for when we sing
at the Vatican. Non singers will sit with the choir in the choir area for the
Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s.
You are most welcome to contact us with any questions or
concerns you have. Look for frequent information and updates from us.
Sincerely
Michael and Wendy Silhavy
Michael
Wendy
