| ‍Newsletter 22 May 2025 |
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Habemus papam – Pope Leo XIV | | Â
The International Federation of Pueri Cantores together with all of our constituent federations throughout the Universal Church welcomes the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, to the Petrine Office. As we pray for God's blessing and guidance on his new ministry leading Christ's Holy People, we note with delight the strong emphasis that our new Holy Father places on liturgical music and chant and we look forward to sharing our gifts with him at our next gathering in Rome. Together may our song of praise rise up like incense as we thank the Lord for his many blessings and gifts.
Fr. James Conlon, Ecclesiastical Assistant
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FIPC board meeting in Rome | | Â
Recently the FIPC board met in Rome. The meeting, which had been planned for several months, coincided with the election of the new Pope, and both President Jean Henric and Secretary Alberto Veggiotti were able to be present in St Peter's Square for the first appearance of Leo XIV on the balcony of the basilica. During this spring session, the board visited the PIMS (Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music) to meet its president, Fr. Robert Mehlhart. Last August in Munich an agreement was signed between this institution and the FIPC to collaborate in training children's choir conductors.
Left to right: Fr. Robert Mehlhart (Director of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music), Alberto Veggiotti (Secretary), Jean Henric (President), Gian Luca Paolucci (Treasurer), Matthias Balzer (1. Vice-President), Willi Oeschger (Archive) |
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Workshops at the international Congress | | Â
For the first time at an international Congress there will be workshops to attend in small groups. As the Congress takes place in Munich – the capital of Bavaria – participants will be able to try themselves in yodeling and Bavarian Dances. Besides Bavarian music culture, other workshops offer insights into Congolese rhythms and into spirituals of different faith cultures, demonstrating the unity in spirit despite the many different voices. A special event will be the excursion to a Concentration Camp Memorial Site under the title "Never again!". Workshops are open for registration now.
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| News from National Federations |
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National Congress in Spain | | Â
The weekend of May 2-4, the city of Elche, Spain, became the epicenter of music with the Extraordinary National Congress of Pueri Cantores “Les Veus del Cel.” This event brought together more than 400 young Pueri Cantores from various regions of Spain. The Catalan Federation of Pueri Cantores also participated in the congress. The congress began with a moving procession, followed by an official reception of the Mayor of Elche and a Jubilee Prayer in the Basilica of Santa MarĂa. Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in various recreational activities and a Gala Concert. The highlight of the event was the Closing Mass in the basilica, officiated by the Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante, JosĂ© Ignacio Munilla.
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Congress in Catalonia | | Â
On February 22 and 23, the Catalan Federation of Pueri Cantores organized its national meeting. Montserrat welcomed the choirs on the occasion of the monastery’s millennium. More than a hundred children and young people from the choirs of the Cors Joves de Catalunya and the Catalan Federation of Pueri Cantores met to rehearse and discover a repertoire of liturgical music. The grand finale came with a spectacular concert in the Basilica of Montserrat, where the voices of the young singers resonated strongly, moving everyone in attendance and making the walls of the iconic basilica vibrate.
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Pueri Cantores Luxembourg at the World Expo in Japan | | Â
From April 8 to 18, 2025, the Pueri Cantores from Luxembourg traveled to Japan on a musical and cultural tour. The fifty choristers had the chance to sing in Hiroshima for several occasions, such as a concert at the World Peace Memorial Cathedral and for the Mayor of Hiroshima. They then travelled to Kyoto and Osaka for the inauguration day of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka where they gave a concert at the Luxembourg pavillon. The tour ended in Tokyo with several concerts in the prestigious Seikei University.
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