Natchez — On Sunday, at 2 p.m. a musical adaptation of “Around the world it’s Christmas” will be presented at St. Mary Basilica for members of the congregation and of the wider community the Rev. David O’Connor said.

The program, a Carol Cantata by John Purifoy featuring four choirs, will be presented in St. Mary Basilica without charge, and will be followed by a reception in St. Theresa Hall.

Jennifer Ogden, who is directing the program said “the music/singing program will be representative of many European countries — Italy, Austria, Spain, Poland, England, Germany, France and the United States. The performing choirs will be St. Mary Basilica choir, the Basilica Singers, the Cathedral High School Choir and the Basilica Children’s choir.”

Music leaders for this event are Patrick Doherty (the Basilica Choir), Alvin Shelby (The Cathedral High School choir, and the Basilica children’s choir) and Rick Jeansonne (Basilica Singers).

“This is the first time in over 20 years that St. Mary Basilica is offering a Christmas program of this quality” O’Connor said. “We are very pleased to invite people from the Miss-Lou to join our church members in celebrating the central event of our Christian faith — the birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. This musical event is an opportunity of drawing together people of good will, by sharing Christmas musical traditions from around the world,” he said.

The program will include the proclamation of Christ birth from Luke’s gospel. Additional readings will be proclaimed by Donna Lindley, Gwen McCalip, J.W. Seibert, Charles Macko and Robert Combs. Flags from each of the countries represented will be part of the entrance procession.

Carols of a non-religious nature were sung in Europe a thousand years ago and Christmas carols were first introduced into church services by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. With his nativity plays he wanted to teach people about the birth of Jesus through music.

The word carol means “song of praise and joy.” The concept of Christmas carols spread throughout Europe quickly.

The Basilica children’s choir will sing a carol, “Fum, Fum Fum” recalling the Spanish custom of celebrating the night on which Jesus was born. The basilica singers will lead carols and hymns that capture the spirit of Christmas in France, and Gabrielle Richardson accompanied by Doherty will provide the French rendering of “Oh, Holy Night.”

The Cathedral High School Choir will sing a favorite carol of Poland “He is born.”

An American favorite “Go tell it on the Mountain” will be led by the high school choir and English favorites such as “angels we have heard on high,” and “God rest you merry gentlemen” will be sung by the Basilica choir.

A combined rendering of “Oh Tannenbaum” — “Oh Christmas Tree” by all four choirs will connect us with the traditions of Germany, and congregational singing led by Richardson will draw on the traditions of Austria with “Silent Night.”

“The music program will be about one hour and 15 minutes in length,” said Ruth McWilliams, program coordinator for St. Mary basilica.

“This will be followed by a reception for everyone in attendance in the lower level of the Basilica. Members of St. Mary parish life commission are coordinating the reception. There is no entrance charge. Come share the spirit of Christmas with us,” she said.