Re: “John Paul II celebrated a big historic liturgy in St. Louis in 1999. Will you use any liturgical elements from that Mass? “
It would be wonderful to honor the rich legacy of liturgical music left to us by the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Fr. James J. Chepponis. Fr. Chepponis died on February 18, 2026.
Fr. Chepponis was specifically commissioned to write music for Pope John Paul II’s historic pastoral visit to St. Louis, Missouri, in January 1999.
He composed two major pieces for this event:"Festival Alleluia": Originally written as the Gospel Acclamation for this 1999 Mass, this composition became a massive success. It is now considered a modern classic in Catholic liturgy and is sung worldwide."Psalm 34":
Also commissioned for the same 1999 liturgy, this setting features multiple refrains and verses designed for full assembly participation alongside a cantor and choir.
Re: “John Paul II celebrated a big historic liturgy in St. Louis in 1999. Will you use any liturgical elements from that Mass? “
It would be wonderful to honor the rich legacy of liturgical music left to us by the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Fr. James J. Chepponis. Fr. Chepponis died on February 18, 2026.
https://obits.slaterfuneral.com/rev-james-chepponis
1999 Papal Mass (St. Louis)
Fr. Chepponis was specifically commissioned to write music for Pope John Paul II’s historic pastoral visit to St. Louis, Missouri, in January 1999.
He composed two major pieces for this event:"Festival Alleluia": Originally written as the Gospel Acclamation for this 1999 Mass, this composition became a massive success. It is now considered a modern classic in Catholic liturgy and is sung worldwide."Psalm 34":
Also commissioned for the same 1999 liturgy, this setting features multiple refrains and verses designed for full assembly participation alongside a cantor and choir.
Pope John Paul’s presider’s chair I think is still in the basement museum of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
I am always surprised at the outrage when persons must purchase a ticket to
participate in an extra ordinary event. Who would they suppose is responsible to foot the bill?