OFFICIAL NAME
International Federation of Pueri Cantores
ACRONYM
FIPC (Foederatio Internationalis Pueri Cantores)
ESTABLISHED
1907
HISTORY
FIPC began as the Schola cantorum of the Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois, founded in Paris, France, by two music students, Paul Berthier and Pierre Martin, following the publication of St Pius X’s Motu proprio Tra le sollecitudini (1903), on the renewal of Sacred music in the service of worship. In it the Pope offered the Church instructions regarding the liturgy "almost as a legal code of Sacred music". In 1921, the Schola joined up with the Belleville choir. 1931 was the year in which the choir began to travel to spread the ideals of the Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois throughout the world. In 1944, the first federation of the Pueri Cantores was created, which, in 1947 was officially recognised as a movement of Catholic Action by the Assembly of French cardinals and archbishops. In 1951, following the third International Congress in Rome, the Holy See approved the first statutes of the Federation. On 31 January 1996, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed recognition of Fœderatio Internationalis Pueri Cantores as an international association of the faithful of Pontifical Right.
IDENTITY
FIPC promotes liturgical singing, from Gregorian chant to classical and modern polyphonic music, and contemporary music, composed according to the ecclesiastical instructions in each country; the spiritual, intellectual, musical and aesthetic training of choirmasters and child choristers; understanding, friendship and mutual assistance between the members. In the pursuit of its purposes, FIPC, by enabling children to experience the joy of serving God through liturgical singing, offers them a pathway of education in the faith and in the practice of human virtues. Every four years, an international congress is organised in Rome to enable all young choristers to meet the Pope at least once in their lives.
ORGANISATION
The official bodies of FIPC are the General Assembly, composed of the Presidents or delegates of the national federations; the Executive Board, elected by the General Assembly and comprising the President, two Vice Presidents, the Ecclesiastical Assistants, the Treasurer and the Secretary; the Executive Committee, composed of the President, Secretary and Treasurer. National federations which do not meet the eligibility requirements under the statutes may join FIPC as corresponding federations.
MEMBERSHIP
FIPC comprises 32 federations, of which 11 are corresponding federations, in 24 countries, as follows: Africa (4), Asia (1), Europe (15), North America (2), Middle East (1), and South America (1).
PUBLICATIONS
Forum, annual newsletter.
WEB SITE
HEADQUARTERS
Foederatio Internationalis Pueri Cantores
Manuel Raspall 3
08530 La Garriga - Spain
Tel. [+34]93.8714964 - Fax 93.8429271
Email: jtorren3@pie.xtec.es
