Besides the bishops and deacons that concelebrated Mass with the Pope, some 100 Maltese took an active role in the liturgy, 50 of whom coming from the Laudate Pueri Choir of St George’s Basilica of Victoria, Gozo.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, the choir director Fr George J. Frendo said it had been a unique experience and an honour for Laudate Pueri to perform at the canonisation of Saint Gorg Preca. He said that it has also been an honour as the choir filled in as the coro guida, that is the choir that encourages the congregation to answer to the chants of the Choir of the Sistine Chapel.

Fr Frendo said the choir has been invited to take part in the liturgy only a fortnight ago. The unexpected invitation came from the director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, Mgr Giuseppe Liberto.

He said that “Thank God we have overcome the logistic difficulties of bringing over 50 choristers at such short notice.”

According to Fr Frendo, one of the most touching moments came when the choir sang the popular Maltese hymns Tina l-Hlewwa and Fil-Hlewwa ta’ Mejju to an arrangement of Prof. Joseph Vella.

He said the cold and rain did not upset the enthusiasm of the congregation who took part wholeheartedly in the liturgy. The director also said the choir did not miss a single moment of the ceremony as they were placed on the steps of the parvis and had a full view of the celebrations as well of the crowd.

The Laudate Pueri Choir took part also at the Mass which was celebrated at the San Andrea della Valle at 5pm by the Maltese priests who did not concelebrate Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. It sang the De Angelis Mass as well as motets by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.