CONGRESS OF BOY SINGERS

MORE than 350 boys from all parts of England took part last week in the first National Congress of Pueri Canfores in London.
Under their National Director. Fr. Wilfrid Purney, the boys -who came from the cathedrals of Birmingham, Salford and Nottingham as well as parish churches in many parts of the country — sang High Mass in Westminster Cathedral.
Wearing every type of choir dress the boys made a colourful splash as they lined up with their seats placed choir-wise in the nave. The cathedral boys sang the Proper of the Mass and the visiting choirs singing both Gregorian Chant and Viadana and two Motets by Christopher Tye.
Bishop Cashman, Auxiliary of Westminster preached and encouraged the boys to stick to their task for the glory of God.
Experience shows, writes our correspondent, that Catholic boys become just as keen on choir work as others and that liturgical choirs singing in or near the sanctuary might lead to more vocations.
The organisation and conducting of the boys was in the hands of Fr. Purney. Scattered in private homes all over London during their three-day visit the boys came together again "without a hitch", writes our correspondent.
Next year Fr. Purney and a boys' choir will be going to Paris for the International Congress of Pueri Cantores.