On Aug. 29, Riordan’s Campus Ministry Groups–LIFE Team, CORE Team, and Marianist Choir–were invited to be a part of the University of San Francisco’s Mass of the Holy Spirit, where the Marianist Choir joined the USF Liturgical Singers and musicians. 

According to the USF Director of University Ministry, Dr. Angélica Quiñónez, this opportunity arose because, “We have hosted a Riordan retreat in our space and we wanted to further strengthen our collaboration and partnership here in the city.”

She added, “We are blessed to have Mrs. Flaviani [Riordan Choir Director and USF Campus Minister for Liturgy and Music] on our staff at University Ministry at USF and I personally know of her great work at Riordan with the choir.”

Flaviani played a key role in this collaboration, conducting rehearsals with both the USF singers, whom she allowed to select some of the music, and the Marianist Choir.

She praised the Marianist Choir for their swift mastery of the music and their hard work, despite the challenge of achieving full attendance, and believes that opportunities such as this give choir members an avenue to express themselves personally and emotionally.

Marina Viray ’24 affirmed, “This experience has allowed me to grow as a singer because of my love for singing and performing.”

She added, “I’m always glad to try new things, and performing in front of college students for a mass for the first time felt really special.”

Quiñónez added, “I was impressed by their discipline and their joy in joining us at one of our main celebrations of the year.” 

The presence of the Marianist Choir at the Mass, as Quiñónez observed, “helped set a really nice tone during the moment of reflection for Maui and Nicaragua.”

“Music enhances the Mass by giving another way for the congregation to express their faith. Music helps bring out another way of praising God,” said Flaviani. 

She concluded: “There is a beautiful statement attributed to St. Augustine that says: ‘The one who sings prays twice.’”