The Heavenly Choir Nursery

• 6 years ago

By FR. MICHAEL P. ORSI

Angels have always played a prominent role in Scripture. Their job is to announce God’s message and to praise Him, especially in song.

During the Christmas Season, the angels’ hymn over the Babe in the manager, “Glory to God in the highest. . .” (Luke 2:14), resounds in our ears. In the very last book of the Bible, we read of their song around the heavenly throne, “Amen, blessing and glory…to our God forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7: 9-12).

When we sing in church we are joining the angels’ and saints’ praise of the Creator. And, we anticipate the great chorus of all the angels and saints foretold at the end of time.

Fine-tuning our voices for so awesome a task naturally takes a lot of practice; it begins here on Earth. At St. Paul Church, in Stone Harbor, N.J., some of the younger members of the future heavenly choir were often disturbing the more senior adorers. Somehow, the fledgling worshipers’ singing had to be contained!

An ingenious plan was devised to contain the singing babies. Two vacant lofts on either side of the church’s nave closest to the chancel were enclosed in glass. This space would soundproof the practicing neophytes, easing the distraction of the more accomplished members of the congregation. When the work was completed, the seniors cried out, “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb” (Rev.7:10).

Now, to the average “shoe bee” this contained area seemed to be just another “cry room,” that is, until it was clearly designated as the “Heavenly Choir Nursery” by Msgr. Kernan.

This identity became clear through the inspiration of a glass sculptor named Peter, who proposed to sketch angels in the glass panels.

Peter’s work was exquisite! Once this was done, there could be no doubt what is taking place in the soundproof area. It is here that the junior choir begins life’s purpose to praise God forever in Heaven.

So, next time you look up at those behind the angelic panels, know that this is just a glimpse of the future. I can hear it already:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” — Handel’s Messiah.