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from Stanisław Mieszczak

Purposes of the Congress

2010-11-03

Dear Pueri Cantores
Dear Parents and Choirmasters
 
we are getting nearer and nearer to our XXXVI^th International Congress, which will take place in Romebetween the 28^th  December and the 1^st January. The theme of the Congress, Deus Caritas est, follows the Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI. In this way we would like  to meditate on the reflections of the Pope concerning the way in which we understand God. This occasion is very important for us, because it enriches our international community with values that have always been important for the Pueri Cantores. Let us try to identify some of them.
 
In our Federation a congress, especially an international congress, gives us a wonderful occasion for meeting other people, who share the same ideals as ourselves. Thus we learn how to build a communion amongst men and to live the spiritual riches of other people, despite their differences from ourselves. Some 4’500 people have already enrolled for the Congress in Romethis year. They come from 18 different countries. These people also have a great passion for choral singing, as well as a love for Christ and for the same Christian faith. They come from other cultures, they speak other languages and they often have a very different experience of what it means to be Christian. Despite these differences they want to come together as a community, because He who unites us is the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit. These, indeed, are true riches.
 
Another value of our Congress in Romecomes from our encounter with Saint Peter. In the Pueri Cantores tradition the Congresses organised in Romeare particularly important from this point of view. This comes directly from the spiritual experience of Mgr. Maillet, himself. Surrounded by the evil and injustice of the war, which at that time seemed to dominate the world, he turned with faith to Christ. So as to strengthen this faith, he decided to ask help from St. Peter, to whom Christ himself had given this task: “…establish yourbrothers.” (Lk. 22:32). In fact, Christians over the centuries, in order to reinforce their faith, have always come to Rometo pray on the tomb of St. Peter and to listen to the teachings of his successor, the Pope. Thus following the indications of Mgr. Maillet and that ancient tradition we, too, come to Rometo seek new light to illuminate our own faith. In this way we, too, will have occasion to pray on the tomb of St. Peter and to listen to his successor, Pope Benedict XVI. During our roman Congress we will not lack a meeting with the Pope. We must not treat this simply as a curiosity: for us believers and Roman Catholics, the voice of the Holy Father is the voice of the pastor who, in the name of Christ, reunites us in the same community of the Church. His voice is a tangible sign of the presence of our Master Christ standing amongst us all. And we begin to listen to his teaching already when we take up his reflections on God, who is Love: Deus Caritas est.
 
One of the most important moments of our congresses, and we could say one of the defining aspects of our Federation, is our contribution to promote peace in the world. And here we have a method that is very effective indeed. We first try to seek out the true peace of Jesus Christ, Himself, and we then carry it in our hearts to the hearts of our brothers and sisters. We try to reach it during the  liturgy we celebrate through our service of song and we bring back with us to others a powerful and convincing experience. Dear Pueri Cantores! Your singing is different from that which you usually hear in concert halls. Your singing not only brings an aesthetic experience to an audience, it also allows them to hear and feel the peace of Christ. Your singing thus becomes a message that is indeed truly prophetic. Our prayers for peace, experienced with faith, leaves a sign not only in ourselves, but allows a great potential for good to grow, that we hope will allow us to overcome the tensions and discord between men. This year the prayer for peace is integrated in the Adoration of the Holy Sacrament. Thus we wish to underline that true peace is born in our hearts, when we enter into personal contact with Christ , our Saviour. Being with Christ means filling our hearts with these riches. In this way when we leave church we become useful for building peace in our neighbourhood and in the world.
 
The 2010-2011 Congress of Romewill also offer us another pearl of great value. We will have the occasion to renew our link with the Patron Saint of the Pueri Cantores, Saint Domenico Savio. Right from the beginning of the Pueri Cantores, that young saint accompanied our young singers. This time we wish to make Saint Domenico Savio’s presence in our Federation to become even stronger: by means of his relics. These relics, a small part of his bones, have been offered to us through the generosity of the Salesian Fathers. The official presentation will take place during the opening ceremony of our Congress presided over by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, who is also a Salesian. But what will the possession of these relics actually mean? Having these relics means experiencing a closer presence of the Saint. Together with him we will have more courage to carry on our way to realise our ideals, the same ideals that he too desired to realise.
 
Dear Pueri Cantores! We have all been invited to participate in this Congress. We all know that for many reasons not all of us will be able to be present this time. Those who have already enrolled will certainly come, but the fruits of the Congress are not for us alone, but to share amongst us all. Even if you are not able to come to Romethis time, we will all remain in spiritual contact. By means of news bulletins we will keep you informed of everything that is happening. We will endeavour to remember all of you members of the International Federation, especially during the more intense moments of our Congress. Remember : a Congress is a treasure from which each of us can take precious pearls to enrich his or her Faith.
 
F. Stanislaw Mieszczak SCJ
Almoner FIPC

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