Much like the cherished musical "The Sound of Music," a heartwarming celebration unfolded in the Vatican as children and young adults gathered in Rome to commemorate the anniversary of their missionary ministry. Through their own captivating musical productions centered around Saints and Biblical narratives, they have touched the hearts of tens of thousands, spreading the message of the Gospel throughout the German-speaking world.
Birgit Minichmayr, Founder and Directors of KISI, “God’s Singing Kids,” told EWTN Vatican, “We founded it 30 years ago. So, we thought it's a good point in time to celebrate and to say thank you to God for all his protection and provision all these years. So, we thought we could do a pilgrimage to Rome, and we happened to be here and to visit the grave of Saint Peter and the Pope and many churches.”
They were thrilled to perform in the Eternal City. One member of KISI, Jennifer Kefer expressed her joy in singing in Rome. “It's so nice,” she said, “to celebrate KISI for its 30 years because I think it will continue even more than 30 years and I’m happy for so many kids that they get to know Jesus through KISI.”
The kids attended the Palm Sunday Mass where they had the chance to meet Pope Francis. “I think it’s special,” Paula, another member of KISI, said, “to see the successor of Peter, and to know he is the head of the Church and to see him in real life.”
Reflecting on meeting the Pope, “For me,” Jennifer said, “the Pope is a real role model, so humble. He really loves the people; you can feel that. I also want to be like him, like that.”
The children also participated in Mass at the German heart of the Vatican, Campo Santo Teutonico, where they indulged in their favorite activity – singing praises to the Lord.
“Singing during Holy Mass,” Birgit said, “is one of our main callings, so we do it a lot, and, so, we from the beginning, we try to do songs with kind of dancing, it’s only movements to express what we sing.”
KISI's mission is to evangelize through their musicals, providing children and families with an opportunity to discover Jesus, his teachings, and his Church.
One of their recent productions is “Pauline: Courage Changes the World,” a musical depicting the life of Pauline Marie Jaricot, the founder of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Kahel Minichmayr, a member of KISI, spoke of her role in this musical production. “I play Pauline Marie Jericot,” she said, “and it's really special for me because I can really learn very much from her because she really was a disciple of Jesus. But I really enjoyed it because I think it brought me nearer to her. One priest said it today, that the Saints should really have an impact in our lives today, and I experienced this with Pauline.”
The KISI group exemplifies how Divine Providence continues to work in spreading the Gospel.
“Jesus really has a heart for the kids,” Birgit noted. “So, my husband and I, we always worked with the kids to tell them the good news, to tell them about Jesus. And I think it's an important time to do so because we experience that many kids don't know Jesus anymore. Many parents, they are no [longer] believers, but the kids. I think that every kid should know Jesus as their friend and Savior.”
“People who are watching us,” Hannes explained, “they start to think, [they] start to open the Bible and to read it. And so, then we find, okay, that's our message. If people don't read the Bible, we will tell them stories of the Bible. They will watch it. And then, well, that's interesting. And then maybe and hopefully they will start to read.”
Providence doesn't only work through them but also for them, enabling them to overcome many obstacles along the way as the group wholly relies on God’s providence.
“On Sunday,” Hannes continued to explain, “we were celebrating Holy Mass in Austria. After Mass the priest came and said, ‘Hannes do you need money?’ I said: ‘All the time, I need money.’ And I said, ‘Why?’ He said: ‘God told me during Holy Mass I should ask a friend if he can help you.’ Two and a half months later, we had 2.5 million euros, and we could buy a beautiful house and farmhouse renovated, next to the lake, to the sea. It's very beautiful. And it was a gift of the Lord.”
“As a volunteer,” Jennifer shared, “it's really nice to live together in a house, in the KISI house, in Austria. And so, everybody can come to the KISI house. And then you live together, and you serve, you are going to be with kids. And it's a nice life together.”
“Sometimes we have plans,” Johannes emphasized, “but they don’t work, and this is an opportunity for us to trust in God and be faithful, that He will make a better plan that will work!”
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Adapted by Jacob Stein
