Just as members of our Chapel Choir were getting over the excitement of leading the Pontifical High Mass at the Vatican they were informed that they have been accepted to sing the Vigil Mass in the Papal Archbasilica in Rome!

The Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope.  It is the oldest and ranks first among the four Papal Basilicas as it holds the Pope’s official throne. It claims the title of ecumenical mother church among Roman Catholics.   As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, Rome Cathedral ranks above all other churches in the Catholic Church, including St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.  For that reason, unlike all other Roman Basilicas, it holds the title of Archbasilica.

The Saturday evening Masses in Rome are always packed as people attend these masses instead of the Sunday morning masses in August to avoid the heat. Rome Cathedral is a tremendous honour, and to get this on the Saturday evening followed by The Vatican the next morning is just incredible!

The Chapel Choir could be singing to up to a 1000 people on the Saturday evening and up to 3000 on the Sunday morning. In addition to the Cathedral of Rome and the Vatican, the Choir will sing in Florence, Milan, Pisa and Assisi Cathedrals.

Well done to the boys for getting to such an amazingly high standard to be accepted in such prestigious venues and for such important services in those venues. They should be rightly very proud of themselves.