It would be unthinkable to hold Christmas in Europe without including religion, so the school had organised a beautiful mass in the Cathedral of St Peter of Senigallia celebrated by His Eminence Monseigneur Giuseppe Orlandoni.
A choir and a band from the IPSSARCT A. Panzini provided the musical accompaniment for this moving celebration, introduced by a rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’. Alfonso Benvenuto spoke to the congregation, explaining the meaning of Christmas in Europe, while students came to the choir of the cathedral to place there in turn a small flag representing each country taking part in the event.
The students line up to lay down a flag for each country.
Alfonso Benvenuto, AEHT president and director of
the IPSSARCT A.Panzini speaks to the congregation.
In his sermon, Monseigneur Giuseppe Orlandoni – in Italian, French and English – reminded the congregation that joy is possible in spite of all of life’s tribulations, and that Christmas is precisely the moment for such joy afforded by sharing and brotherly love. Students took turns to read prayers, and the high mass ended with the famous song ‘Oh Happy days’ in which the congregation joined; after this there was joyful and fervent applause.
The school choir in full voice!
The school choir in full voice!
