Where Does the Name
of the Choir Come From?!

As we travel around the country this is the one question we are asked most frequently. The story behind our name is as follows. When St. Francis of Assisi, (1182-1226 AD), began to preach the Gospel message of Peace in the Italy of 1209AD he found a number of ruined Churches in the Umbrian countryside. Inspired by God he began their repair often going from house to house begging stones and mortar for building purposes.

St. Francis teaches his Brothers.

It was while engaged in this repair work that his first Brothers joined him and the Franciscan Order was founded. (It is from Francis also that the greeting used by the Choir, 'The Lord give you His Peace!' comes.) When finished the repair of the first of the ruined Churches he was directed to a second ruined Chapel. It was really no more than a small Oratory in the midst of deep woods, dedicated to 'Santa Maria degli Angel'', St. Mary of the Angels. Francis loved this little Church and made it his preferred place of Prayer and Meditation. Later the Church was given to the Order and became the headquarters of the Friars. It was there that the first Brothers made their Vows, there the Chapters or annual gatherings of the Friars were held, there Francis received St. Clare into the Order, and it was there that on the 3rd of October 1226, with a flock of Larks singing in the night sky Francis went to God. Since then whenever the Friars have come to a new country the main Church they found is always named St. Mary of the Angels in honour of she who is the Queen of the Order and as a link across time and space to the place where it all began. It is in the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Church St, Dublin that the Gospel Choir rehearses and there that they gave the first of their performances. It was decided by the Choir to take as their patroness and as their name St. Mary of the Angels when they began to tour.

So now you know!

The Original Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Assisi, Italy.

St. Francis.