We are delighted and honored to welcome Mobile’s Singing Children to Christ Church Cathedral on this third Sunday in Lent. Not only will they sing John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children” in its entirety as a prelude to our worship, but they will also sing at the Offertory and join in leading our hymns and service music.
Rutter composed this work for combined children’s and adult choirs, not treating the children’s voices simply as a musical resource but as essential to the work. Young voices lead from the outset and continue to be integral throughout the composition.
Their centrality in the Mass reminds us that children are leaders, teachers, and guides in our faith and our world, both this world now and the world to come. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14).
Listen closely to the movement from waking to sleeping that is woven through the texts. Along the way you will hear familiar hymns and poetry, in addition to the traditional elements of the Mass. Let the voices and the music carry you to deeper feeling and awareness of Christ’s love and presence with you.
I hope and pray that your experience of this musical offering prepares you to receive the Body of Christ in worship, so that you can go into the world and be the Body of Christ.
Faithfully,
Beverly+