This summer, 27 students from St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, along with an entourage of teachers and chaperones, traveled to Rome for a musical pilgrimage.
“When I was in high school, my choir went on an international tour,” said Sara Prince, choral director. “Getting to explore and perform in a new country was an experience like no other. When I became a teacher, I knew it was something I wanted to offer my own students. When we discovered we could sing at a Mass at St. Peter’s, we knew Rome was the place to go — not only as a musical trip, but as a pilgrimage.”
The trip included tours of Castel Gandolfo, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
“The old churches we visited made me marvel at the longevity of the Catholic Church and how we still worship similarly to how they worshipped 1,000 years ago,” said Cole Wade. “It made me think about how connected the church is to itself and its members.”
The students had two performances, one at St. Francis Cathedral in Civitavecchia and one at San Vitale Basilica in Rome.
“Performing in front of an international audience made me nervous because I knew I was representing my school,” said Connor Wightman. “I wanted to make a very good impression as I knew that this would stick with the audience for a while.”
On the final day, students toured the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Then, members of the PVI Choir sang for Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Going to St. Peter’s impacted me the most,” said Avery Karas. “We went to one of the holiest places in the world and I had the chance to receive the Eucharist there; it was eye opening.”
The pilgrimage was a moving experience not only for students, but for their parents who accompanied them.
“After deciding to make this trip a family affair, with all of our children as well as their grandparents, being present with them inside St. Peter’s Basilica and hearing our boys sing during Mass will go down as one of the best memories of our lifetime,” said Amy Trinidad, parent of two students on the trip.
When Mass ended, the group was given the opportunity to go to the papal tombs and pray together at the tomb of St. Paul VI.
“Our students will remember this experience forever and I am so thankful to have been a part in making it happen for them,” said Prince.
