A Weekend of Music with El Sistema Venezuela in Rome and Vatican City!

From 17 to 20 October 2025, musicians from El Sistema Venezuela will be in Rome and Vatican City to take part in a unique cultural and spiritual occasion: the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles, two figures of deep importance in Venezuelan history and religious life.

Organised under the banner of “Santos para Todos” (Saints for All), this international programme highlights El Sistema’s ability to combine musical excellence, social mission, and cultural identity, sharing Venezuela’s musical voice on a global stage.

The Programme

The participation of El Sistema includes a rich series of performances and liturgical contributions:

  • Friday, 17 October – A concert by the Coral Nacional Simón Bolívar and the National Children’s Symphony Orchestra at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.
  • Saturday, 18 October – A Vigil of Reflection and Prayer at the Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù in Paris (satellite event connected to the canonization).
  • Sunday, 19 October – El Sistema will perform live in St. Peter’s Square during the Canonization Mass, broadcast internationally from Vatican City.
  • Monday, 20 October – A Thanksgiving Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, closing the official programme.

The ensembles involved include some of El Sistema’s most emblematic groups, representing both the artistic heritage and the future of the movement. These performances are not only musical moments, but also powerful expressions of peace, unity and collective memory, shared through the universal language of music.

A Global Message of Art and Faith

For El Sistema Venezuela, this participation reinforces its dual role: as a catalyst of musical and human development at home, and as a cultural ambassador abroad. The canonization of Hernández and Rendiles is deeply significant for Venezuelans, and the presence of El Sistema in Rome allows this celebration to reach a global audience. Following the events in Rome, the “Santos para Todos” initiative will continue in Venezuela, with concerts and liturgical celebrations scheduled in Caracas and Trujillo, the birthplace of José Gregorio Hernández.