THE VIBRANT STORY OF: SRI LANKA PUERI CANTORES FEDERATION (SLPCF)
In 2010, following a documentary presented by EWTN (American Catholic TV Channel), I contacted Mr. Flavi of the USA Federation. He helped us to join the International Federation in 2010. We were given enthusiastic approval from the then Archbishop of Colombo Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomes. A few years later Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith succeeded him and became even more supportive. He has given us direct access to ninety Catholic schools for girls and boys.
I, as the elected General Secretary of the Pueri Cantores National Federation ensured that we have been included in the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission. As such we have direct links with all the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese (over thousands of students). Our main task is to train students in their Liturgical involvement through Sacred Music in our National languages covering Sinhala, Tamil and English. Our next objective is to promote Latin Liturgy and Latin Sacred music. The third objective is to develop the quality of vocal and choral singing which we continually do by forwarding our students for the examinations and competitions conducted by institutions such as Royal Schools of Music, London for performances and training. Thus we have provided 5 of our students, scholarships to visit London for performances and further training. For such purposes we have formulated a complete curriculum and offer course certificates to the students who enter and be involved in such programmes.
By being involved in the above activities as well as our engagement with the Colombo University of Performing Arts, the Army and the Navy choirs I as the Choral Director of the SLPCF have trained over 18,000 vocalists and choirs during the past 14 years. We are now recognized in Sri Lanka’s Western Music sphere as an indispensable training and development organization.
Our Pueri Cantores Choir in 2010 performed creditably in the sacred shrines in Israel and Jordan. In Jerusalem our choir organized and sang in a concert under the patronage of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem earning his adulation. In 2012, our combined choir comprising of 94 girls and boys from Archdiocesan schools visited Rome and sang before Pope Benedict in the general Audience. Pope Benedict called the performance extremely beautiful (bellissimo). Our large choir also sang in St. Peter’s Basilica in a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Malcom Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo. We also performed in a concert in another Basilica in Rome, at the end of a solemn Eucharistic service.
In our Archdiocese, Latin choral Masses with the rendering compositions of great maestros in combination with the full scale orchestra and another large combined Pueri Cantores schools choir have become a regular feature in Colombo Archdiocese. This endeavor is an attempt to combine Latin Chants, hymns and anthems with classical compositions in the setting of the solemn Eucharistic Celebrations.
Some of our training programmes that culminate in solemn Sacred events have drawn over 700 students going up to 2000 participants in each event making it necessary to conduct such events in sports stadiums or large churches.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Emeritus President of the International Federation, Mgr. Tyrala, as well as the current President and Vice President have visited us and participated in sung Latin choral Masses and witnessed our Choral concerts involving choirs of various schools in different locations.
In recognition of our voluntary service His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has nominated his Vicar Apostolic Prelate Rt. Rev. Fr. Freely Muuthukudaarchchi as our ex officio President who presides over at all our Council meetings and helps enthusiastically us in our organizational efforts.
This is a simple yet compelling story of Sri Lanka Pueri Cantores Federation which relates to our arduous efforts to serve God and our students through musical harmony of sacred music with the necessary encouragement of the International Pueri Cantores Federation and its Indian branch.
COR AD COR (HEART TO HEART)
Francis D’Almeida
General Secretary SLPCF
November 2024
