Villanova Choir Travels to Rome
James D. Smith ’01 and Jason Fenner ‘03

On March 2, the Villanova University Choir embarked on a musical pilgrimage to several of Italy’s greatest cathedrals including St. Peter’s Basilica.  The Choir is comprised of members from the Villanova Singers, Voices, Gospel Ensemble, and Vocal Ensemble. They returned March 9. 

The group accepted an invitation to be the principal Choir singing at the 10:30 AM Solemn Mass at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, March 4, the first Sunday of Lent.  Later in the day they presented a liturgical concert at St. Ignatius Church in Rome.  This performance was one in a series of professionally organized concerts that have been enjoyed by audiences of over one thousand. 

The singers were overjoyed with the opportunity facing them, as John Dunphy, director of Music states, “We embrace the opportunity of serving in this role of musical leadership at the Vatican with a sense of honor, humility, and great gladness.”    

"The entire trip was excellent,” stated sophomore Singer Jason Fenner. “The week had a great combination of quiet spirituality and youthful exploration.” One combination of those feelings occurred in the Catacombs on the last day. “Our tour guide was a fan of liturgical music and asked us to sing in the chamber that once was the chapel of the Catacombs. The song echoed well after we had finished and was followed by a very peaceful silence. It was amazing.”

The choir celebrated Liturgies with song at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and Santa Monica in Rome.  The pilgrimage included visits to the Sistine Chapel, the Basilicas of Christian Rome, and historic venues of Rome including the Coliseum.  Friends and family were invited to participate in the musical pilgrimage.