For Maestro Bill Doherty and the St. Timothy choir, Sunday in Rome, was filled with music, spiritual reverence and a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis.
Doherty and about 110 other Villagers sang at St. Peter’s Bascilica in The Vatican. The Sistine Chapel Choir also took part in the Feast of Christ the King Mass, which celebrated the  closing of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The Mass was telecast worldwide on the EWTN cable-TV network.
“It was amazing to celebrate the Mass with Pope Francis,” Doherty stated in a text Sunday night. “They say there were a half million people in attendance. I have never seen Vatican Square filled with so many people. It was such a blessing.”
Doherty is music director of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in The Villages. Members of the Central Florida Lyric Opera company also took part in the event. Father Peter Mitchell of the church also made the journey to Rome.
After the Mass, Doherty and the singers performed the European premier of “Requiem Mass,” which Doherty wrote. It was held at the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome.
“It was majestic,” texted Gerri Piscitelli, president of the Opera Club of The Villages, who went to Rome. “The music was glorious, and the soloists and choir were outstanding.”
Doherty was thrilled with the event.
“The Basilica of Saint Ignatius is so beautiful,” he texted. “I was so pleased with the warm reception from the people there. I was so moved.”
Among those who took part: Molly Fillmore, Courtney Mills, Melissa Briozzo, Kristin Patterson, Leonarda Priore, Laurie Arnold, Debbie Garrett, and Andrea Elena. Also, Kathleen Kane, Sam Reynolds and Theodore Tyrrell.
