By John Rose, St Mary’s Choir, Hexham
St Mary’s Choir returned home on 17th June after a successful tour of Assisi, Trequanda and the Venerable English College (VEC) in Rome. All the congregations and audiences we encountered were most welcoming and appreciative of the singing, with extended clapping after performances.
The final singing engagement was at 10.00 Mass in the VEC on 16th June, which was celebrated by the Rector Fr Stephen Wang, assisted by previous parish priest of St Mary’s, Hexham, Fr Chris Warren. Fr Chris is currently Vice-Rector at the VEC. In the congregation were a large party of senior pupils from the London Oratory School.
After the Mass, St Mary’s Choir were treated to a very interesting tour of the VEC by one of the young seminarians. He gave a very engaging history of the College buildings, as well as stories regarding a few of the 44 martyrs, who trained for the priesthood at this ancient College in order to return secretly to England following the Protestant Reformation.