All posts tagged: Sunday Mass

Singing for the Pope

Preaching to the Choir: Reflections on Singing for the Pope

The recent Papal visit presented Philadelphians with unprecedented opportunities. Some of us attended as legal observers, volunteered as greeters, or participated in the Festival Families and the Papal Mass on Sunday. I was honored when, after a rigorous audition process, I was selected to sing in the choir for Sunday Mass on the Parkway. I did not say yes right away; after all, I am in Law School, and I had to study. However, I ultimately realized that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I had to make it happen. The 500 member choir consisted of people of every background: professional musicians, amateurs, senior citizens, religious, lay people, conservatives, liberals, and everything in between. We were all there for a common purpose. “I had sung this piece so many times before but I had never actually felt the words like I did on the Parkway surrounded by a million people.” Rehearsals, which took place every Monday from July through September, were grueling.  Once the semester started, I would go to class all day, grab …