Two teenagers from Lleida sang for Pope Francis at the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona last Wednesday. Alejandro Llovera, 15, from Alpicat, and Heysel Mozo, 14, a resident of Lleida, described the experience as “insuperable and unrepeatable”.
Both are members of the Pueri Cantores de la Mare de Déu del Blau choir from Lleida Cathedral. They performed with other choirs from the Catalan Federation of Pueri Cantores and the Escolania de Montserrat during a mass presided over by the Pope.
Llovera and Mozo, who both study at Terraferma school, rehearse weekly with the children’s choir and take part in liturgical celebrations. The choir director, Father Mossèn Messaules, told them they had been selected from among Catalan choirs, and the opportunity came as a surprise.
The preparation was intense. It involved weekly two-hour rehearsals in Lleida for a month and a half, then a three-hour session in Montserrat with the Escolania and other choirs days before the event. A final dress rehearsal took place at the Sagrada Família on the day of the celebration.
The teenagers spent most of that day in Barcelona, with preparations, waiting periods and the general rehearsal before the mass. They said they had to learn about 25 pieces in total. The solemn mass in the basilica brought together hundreds of choristers and drew a strong sense of anticipation.
Llovera said he felt nervous, but once they started singing, they forgot everything. He said seeing the Pope so close was impressive. Mozo said the experience marked her forever. They also noted the presence of many authorities and important figures, and said it was something they would always remember.
Mozo and Llovera are expected to take part in the Catalan Federation of Pueri Cantores congress at La Manreana from 10 to 12 July. The congress will end with a mass at the New Cathedral of Lleida. For more local coverage, see Catalonia news.