The international Pueri Cantores festival, bringing together some 4,500 young singers of sacred music from 18 countries, is taking place in Munich. During today’s celebration for the German participants, the President of the German Bishops’ Conference, Mgr Georg Bätzing, praised the commitment of the children and young people who sing in the Frauenkirche in Munich “against misery in the world. Your singing is an expression of harmony despite the diversity of your gifts and talents. You sing for that peace that the world so urgently needs”, he remarked, addressing the choirs from all over Germany. “Munich vibrates with music; this city is full of music these days. Your voices reach the world, and this is a beautiful sign in these often tense times”. In his homily, Mgr Bätzing explained his childhood experience to children and young people, when for the first time he understood that he belonged to Jesus: “We grew up with music at home. I participated in everything, I was an altar boy, I was singing in the choir. At a certain point – around your age – I thought: my heart got pierced: Jesus, you do exist! You are there, you are not a theory, you truly exist beside me. From then on, I have thought, or better felt: if this Jesus is alive in your heart, then you must start talking to Him, you must start to know Him. That was my encounter with Jesus, and I can say: I belong to Jesus”. The bishop encouraged the festival singers to meet God with their eyes open. “Music helps you to recognise Jesus. Trust in Jesus, He is with you. Defend the peace that Jesus promised us”.