American Federation Of Pueri Cantores

These regional Festivals provide a unique opportunity to educate and engage these young singers in their faith and in the arts. While the mission of Pueri Cantores is artistic and cultural its preeminent purpose is one of evangelization. As has been documented most recently by the Pew Research Center's 2018 and 2019 surveys, young people are leaving the Catholic Church at an alarming rate, creating a generation of people more and more disconnected from Christ and the Church. Participation in AFPC festivals help keep the youth engaged in their Catholic faith. Singing in a choir with several hundred other voices, in a magnificent Cathedral building, accompanied by a masterful organist, led prayer by the local Cardinal or Bishop - these are the experiences that excite young Catholics and open their eyes to the beauty of our worship. For many of these students– and through them their families and communities – the exposure to sacred music when shared with others their age re-awakens in them an awareness of the Divine and, not infrequently, a renaissance of faith. The profound and transformational festival/liturgical experience reinforces the beauty of the Mass and the value of worship and encourages students to use their voices to give back to the Church and share the Word of God with others.

Participating singer in the 2023 South Florida Festival, Kaitlyn Brown, age 16, shared “I enjoyed the festival because I got to meet so many new people from schools both far and near. It was so fulfilling to finally hear everyone singing together the sacred songs that we all learned separately with our own choirs.” When asked what she likes about singing and being in choir, she said “It brings out the best in people. Being in my choir, it feels like we are all family. It also helps me stay on track and be productive in my academics and day-to-day life.” Andy Rubin, age 12, said he feels closer to God when he sings and “since we sing about God a lot of the time, I learn more about the meaning of the songs we sing to glorify Him. I feel [the songs] in my heart and I share my Catholic faith with my family and friends.”