The Divine Mercy Choir
2024 U.S. Concert Tour
”The Music of Saint Faustina”

Experience the ancient sacred music that Saint Faustina heard in the beautiful churches throughout Eastern Europe and examine an hi-resolution, actual-size replica (40” x 85”) the Original Image of Divine Mercy up close. The Divine Mercy Choir from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius, St. Faustina’s beloved second home, will be in tour in the U.S. for the first time this Lenten Season to help usher in Divine Mercy Sunday. This spectacular event begins with an introduction to the history and significance of the Original Image of Divine Mercy by premiere expert, Daniel diSilva, followed by a concert by the Divine Mercy Choir. all accompanied by a stunning multimedia visual presentation! Don’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime to see and hear the sounds and sights of old Vilnius, The City of Mercy, the way Saint Faustina experienced it during her mystical life!

The Divine Mercy Choir
from Vilnius, The City of Mercy

In anticipation of Divine Mercy Sunday which falls on April 7, 2024, come hear some of the most beautiful music that has ever filled a church! Take a trip into history and enjoy a remnant of Eastern Europe before the destruction that came with the Communist Occupation. CLICK HERE to find a concert near you.

The Divine Mercy Institute together with the Archdiocese of Vilnius proudly present The Divine Mercy Choir on tour for the first time in the USA. The ensemble will perform concerts in some of the most beautiful American churches beginning mid-Lent of 2024 through April 7, Divine Mercy Sunday. Each event features a multi-media, full-immersion presentation explaining the improbable history and unveiling the unique significance of the Original Image of Divine Mercy. Then, before a full-size, exact replica of the original masterpiece, the Divine Mercy Choir gives a concert exhibiting the ancient sacred music that would have been familiar to Saint Faustina herself.

ABOUT THE EVENT

What did the young Sr. Faustina discover when she came to live in a small convent in the picturesque city of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania? In her famous diary, she reflects on how the doors to Divine Mercy would first be opened in what she came to know as “my beloved Vilnius.” Divine Mercy Sunday was celebrated, if unofficially, for the first time by Bl. Fr. Michał Sopoćko, Saint Faustina’s spiritual director, on April 28, 1935, when the painting of Divine Mercy by Prof. Eugeniusz Kazimirowski was first publicly displayed. Shortly thereafter, Lithuania went through “Soviet Times;” devastating occupations by various communist regimes during which sacred art was suppressed, including paintings, music, and literature. The Catholic Church went underground. The Original Image of Divine Mercy had to be abandoned, and then was smuggled, hidden, lost, stolen, and almost destroyed. In 1990, Lithuania declared her independence from the Soviet Union and has been experiencing a rebirth of culture ever since. Saint Faustina’s priceless painting has been restored and is now publicly venerated in the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius where The Divine Mercy Choir was first formed.

ABOUT THE CHOIR

The Divine Mercy Choir has been performing and recording a vast repertoire of hymns that are particular to Lithuania - music that has not been heard in almost a century. This is not attempt to promote the Latin Mass but an artistic endeavor to preserve the ancient sacred music that was eminent during the life of Saint Faustina, Founding director Gabija Vaičiulienė has been researching medieval Christian music for many years, and is currently studying Gregorian Chant in Rome at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. With a focus on liturgical music, the a cappella choir has collaborated with many well-known conductors at the Notre Dame School of Polyphony at the Cathedral in Paris.

The Divine Mercy Choir has sung across Europe for countless dignitaries, including the Pope, and has provided the liturgical music for major religious celebrations. Recently, the choir has been featured on EWTN as part of the international broadcast of the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass live from Vilnius, and has performed at the annual Divine Mercy Summit. The Divine Mercy Choir and the Divine Mercy Institute enjoy the blessing and endorsement of Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop on Vilnius.

On their U.S. Concert Tour, The Divine Mercy Choir will be featuring medieval hymns preserved through an oral tradition, a unique and integral part of an almost-lost ancient Lithuanian Catholic culture. Like the Original Image of Divine Mercy, the very existence of the Divine Mercy Choir and the work they are doing is proof that the Good will always win and that Beauty and Truth cannot be canceled.

PLEASE NOTE: THE CHOIR SINGS IN LITHUANIAN AND LATIN HOWEVER THE AUDIENCE WILL RECEIVE LIBRETTOS WITH TRANSLATIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT EACH MUSICAL PIECE. THE SPOKEN WORD PORTION OF THE EVENT WILL BE PRESENTED IN ENGLISH, ITALIAN, OR SPANISH, DEPENDING ON THE LOCAL PREFERENCE.

Each event of the LENT TOUR 2024 will present for veneration a 1st class relics of St. Faustina and Bl. Father Michael Sopoćko. Also, as part of the concert, a stunning full-size framed replica of The Original Image of Divine Mercy on display and venerated. This event will be unforgettable!

Here are a few links featuring the choir for you to preview:

Scheduling

For more information about scheduling a concert in 2024, please contact the Original Divine Mercy Institute at OriginalDivineMercy@gmail.com, or call us at 817-936-3348.