Pope Benedict XVI addresses the Federation of International Pueri Cantores

(December 30, 2010) Singing is a service to God, to the fellow worshippers and to the whole church said Pope Benedict XVI. This service is 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, he added. The Pope was addressing the Federation of International Pueri Cantores, on Thursday during their thirty-sixth International Congress held in Rome. Pueri Cantores is the national student choral organization of the Catholic Church. Internationally, the organization is headquartered in the Vatican and involves 60,000 singers from schools and parishes in 30 countries. The basis of the modern International Federation of Pueri Cantores, founded in the twentieth century, was formed on a deep ancient Christian conviction that singing can be an instrument of worshipping God. The Pontiff thanked the 4500 members assembled in Paul VI Hall for the commitment they have shown to the apostolate of choral singing in the liturgy. He told them that as they use their talents and their faith to sing God’s praises, they give voice to the natural desire of every human being to glorify him, with songs of love. 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 the Congress, Deus Caritas Est, he said. Pope Benedict greeted the groups present from the United States, Sweden, Ireland, Latvia and South Korea and called on them to persevere in their good work, and assured them of his prayers, while invoking upon them God’s abundant blessings.