After Rome and the Lincoln Center, SCRANTON! This is the itinerary of a wonderful chorale from New York City that came to bring us the life and legacy of St. Jeanne Jugan. Glenn Mohr had graciously agreed to bring his chorale and perform the musical drama on St. Jeanne Jugan at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA.
They had performed it last November at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall after participating in the canonization ceremonies for St. Jeanne Jugan in October 2009. Their chorale has a long history of relations with the Little Sisters in New York, and Glenn Mohr has been a gracious friend for many years.
For a while we were worried that the Cathedral might be a little too ambitious for our beloved Scranton, but we were pleasantly surprised as the Cathedral began to fill up. We were honored with the presence of Bishop Bambera (and mother) and Bishop Emeritus Timlin, and everybody agreed that it was, despite some technical difficulties, a true spiritual and artistic treasure, celebrating God’s abounding grace in so humble a woman as Jeanne Jugan, who would never wanted to be counted among the saints and who was very upset when they tried, in her lifetime, to name a street after her!
After the presentation, we all went for a reception at the formerly Holy Cross High School across the street, and we were happy to share our impressions and give our praise to the performers.
The next morning, for Sunday Mass, the chorale came to the Home, where the Residents, some of whom had not been able to come the night before, enjoyed their beautiful voices during our Sunday Liturgy. Truly, it was both inspiring and uplifting!
