40 children from St Peter’s Preparatory School, Lympstone, were praised following their participation in the All Saints day mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome recently.  The pupils, who were in Rome for one week on a Chamber Choir Tour, commenced the trip by assisting at a service in the Pantheon on All Hallows Eve. 

The following day, in front of thousands of worshippers, amongst who were proud mums and dads, who had congregated in St Peter’s to hear mass, they received a standing ovation following their performance in the Basilica. In thanking the children, the Cardinal told everyone that “such voices are a prelude to paradise”.  The children and Music Director, Bob Carter, were delighted.

They were treated similarly by the congregation after singing in the Church of Maria Santa Maggiore, the following day where, after the mass, a number of pupils’ treated churchgoers to some solo performances.