Farm kids are pilgrims singing in Rome - need alms

These five, hard working farm kids plan to go to Rome in October 2021.

 

Every Thursday afternoon after working in the vegetable field in the summers or memorizing Latin declensions in the winters, they clean up, eat a quick supper and head to choir practice with Dad.

 

In 2016 our oldest started singing with the Mary Immaculate Choir at St. Stephen of Hungary Church in Allentown, PA because she loved to sing and had grown up listening to them singing the beautiful Sicut Cervus and Palastrina's Missa Eaterna at Sunday masses.

 

Suddenly needing a tenor just before Holy Week and Easter 2017, Reuben joined temporarily until the Easter season was over and the farming season began.

 

After an exhausting day of farm work I asked Reuben, "Weren't you going to quit the choir once planting season started?"

 

"I can't now! The sacred music I get to sing in this choir feeds my soul so much that it gives me what I need to keep working."

 

Baby #8 & #9 were grown in utero with sacred polyphony playing near my belly every night as Reuben drifted off to sleep.

 

Now it's in their hearts and souls. These farm kids aren't musical geniuses but they know how to work hard, to commit, and to listen to directions. What else would a choir director desire?

 

No matter how late they practice on Thursdays, everyone is up by 6:30 am Friday morning to milk cows, feed pigs, make breakfast, take care of younger siblings and participate in family prayer.

 

What are they looking forward to?

Can you imagine singing the music of the greatest composers of the renaissance in the very same churches and cathedrals for which they composed? These kids can barely imagine it but they have the opportunity to live it. They've studied ancient and biblical history, read stories of emperors and martyrs which has prepared them to soak in the sights and experiences of this pilgrimage.

 

The Mary Immaculate Choir has been invited to Rome in October, to accompany this rare treasure of liturgical music back to the place of its birth. Our visit is not a vacation. It is a Pilgrimage that even now involves much hard work and many sacrifices. The choir will have the honor of singing masses celebrated by priests of the Fraternity of St. Peter all week long in various churches. The crowning event will take place in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Our Lady’s victory at Lepanto.

 

What about travel restrictions?

Too many graces and gifts have been given to doubt God's will now. Having already raised 1/3 of the necessary funds before this campaign, and overcoming many obstacles, we are willing to follow Christian faith and have confidence in God.

 

As parents, we've discerned that our children are prepared and ready for this experience, upon which we will accompany them along with Baby Kaatje. Isa, Gwen, Blaise, Britta and Simeon are veteran pilgrims, even at their young ages.

Their ten years of Pilgrimage for Restoration pilgrimages have taught them to pray in all circumstances, to persevere under difficulties for the sake of Our Lord, and to give up control of their wants and desires. Even to follow at times without question and understanding.

 

Knowing that nothing is impossible with God, we ask you to participate in this pilgrimage with us through giving "alms."

 

Please consider contributing any amount. In return, you will receive the benefit of our prayers and sacrifices and the knowledge that you are contributing to the personal and spiritual formation of these five DeMaster children.

 

 

God Bless you!

Tessa DeMaster, mom of nine
Farmwife, Willow Haven Farm

 

 

UPDATE 9/20: Thank you to our first ten donors!! 

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