Music to Enliven the Feast of Christ the Good Shepherd

Thousands of people from more than 90 countries took part in the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment held on 10 and 11 May in Rome. The days’ events were dedicated to institutional, military, amateur, folk, community, sports, school and college bands, as well as to all forms of popular entertainment from around the world.

On Saturday, 10 May, pilgrims from Italy and large groups from the United States, Malta, Poland, Spain, France, Germany, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and Argentina began the Jubilee by passing through Saint Peter’s Basilica’s Holy Door. Later in the day, over 100 bands and musical groups from around the world performed in large outdoor events held across 31 squares in central Rome.

On Sunday morning, 11 May, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Evangelization, celebrated Holy Mass in Piazza Cavour, a short distance from the Vatican. During his homily, he referred to Saint Augustine and encouraged participants to sing but to keep walking and never to love idleness. Archbishop Fisichella prayed that what the artists did with great enthusiasm and passion would reach God’s ears.

After the Eucharistic celebration, the pilgrims walked to Saint Peter’s Square with their musical instruments and traditional uniforms to listen to Pope Leo XIV pray the Regina Caeli. After the Marian prayer, the Holy Father offered his special greeting to Jubilee participants and thanked them “because with their music and performances, they enliven the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd: the One who guides the Church with his Holy Spirit”.