HONG KONG (SE): The Saint Francis University Choir returned from a memorable August 27– September 7 journey through Italy, where their voices carried messages of faith, creation, and fraternity inspired by The Canticle of the Creatures of St. Francis of Assisi and Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on care for our common home.
The 41-member delegation included university provost, Professor Annie Bligh; music director, Andrew Leung; assistant music director, Kenneth Ma; accompanist, Kevin Ma; spiritual advisor, Father Fabio Favata, PIME; as well as staff and students. Their itinerary took them to Genoa, Assisi, and Rome, where they sang at Masses, concerts, and papal events.
Singing before the pope
A highlight of the tour came on September 3, when the choir was invited to sing at a papal audience in St. Peter’s Square, coinciding with the entrance of Pope Leo XIV. Leung recalled that the group had only moments to prepare as microphones were handed to them. They quickly chose to perform the Cantonese classic Below the Lion Rock to represent Hong Kong culture, and Look at the World, a sacred piece glorifying nature in the Season of Creation [September 1- October 4].
He said the experience of singing before a multilingual audience, while the pope led prayers in German, English, Mandarin, and other languages, was profoundly moving: “We could feel the universality of Catholicism and the unity of prayer.”
Following the audience, the group visited the Dicastery for Evangelisation, performing three songs for staff and clergy in their chapel. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle welcomed the choir praising their talent and harmonies. A souvenir from the university was presented to Cardinal Tagle to be passed on to Pope Leo, while another was offered to Cardinal Tagle in gratitude.
That evening, the choir sang a final concert in Rome at San Giovanni Battista de La Salle, the titular church of Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. of Hong Kong. The performance, centred on the themes of Laudato Si’, drew repeated applause from the cardinal, who commended the talent and dedication of the young musicians.
On August 30, while visiting Parrocchia del Santissimo Nome di Maria in Genoa, the choir joined local villagers in the celebration of the solemn feast day of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Members participated in a Marian procession and a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Javier Herrera Corona, apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Congo, with Father Favata concelebrating. The choir performed several songs and hymns alongside Italian artists during an evening concert themed “Maria, We Want to Love You”.
In Assisi, the choir enjoyed a deeply spiritual encounter with the Franciscan heritage. On September 1, they sang at the morning Mass in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, followed by a concert that evening in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Before an audience of over 150 people, the choir performed 11 pieces honouring both creation and the legacy of their patron saint.
Leung described the opportunity as a blessing: “It was extraordinary to participate in both liturgy and concert at two basilicas so closely linked to St. Francis of Assisi.”
Choir members were also struck by the basilica’s famous frescoes, masterpieces of late medieval painters, which added depth to their spiritual journey.
Music as evangelisation
Reflecting on the tour, Professor Bligh emphasised that the experience was not simply musical, but a profound spiritual journey. She noted that the choir’s diverse membership—including Catholics, Christians, and non-believers—helped to broaden the impact of their mission: “The unity of the choir and the power of communal prayer were central themes, as their music touched hearts and planted seeds of faith.”
She expressed gratitude to Father Favata for bridging language gaps and facilitating connections with the Dicastery for Evangelisation, as well as organising visits and performances.
The choir also joined a cultural exchange event at the Chinese Embassy in Italy on September 5, where they performed and delivered a message of gratitude. Li Xiaoyong, chargé d’affaires ad interim, described the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen ties between young people of Italy and China.
As the voices of the Saint Francis University Choir resounded across sacred basilicas and city squares, their journey bore witness to the harmony of faith, culture, and creation, echoing the spirit of St. Francis for today’s world.
