The Fruits of the Musical Are Visible!

On stage or among the audience, the show left its mark

Also made possible thanks to the contribution of the Antognozzi Foundation Onlus, the musical on the story of Fatima was first performed by the FIHM Opera cast of Rome on April 30, 2024 (two shows at the Teatro Viganò), then repeated on January 24, 2025 (one show, Teatro Viganò), and performed in Tuscany on March 22, 2025 (two shows at the Teatro del Popolo in Castelfiorentino - FI).

Here’s the testimony of one of the actors:

This musical is incredible!
It improved over time with each performance, but always brought fruits of conversion, love, and friendship. It opened hearts, strengthened bonds, and created fraternal friendships, both among the audience and within the cast.

For those who haven’t seen it, I must say that the direction (by Giada Siragusa, ed.) is dynamic. The narration unfolds on two levels: Sister Lucia's memories and her stories to the novices, and the experiences of the shepherd children, their families, and all the people of Fatima and its surroundings. The songs are captivating and stay in your head and heart; the dialogues are fast but full of a message—a message that’s a proclamation, impossible to ignore, as it touches the depths of the heart.

And it didn’t leave even “my gossiping woman” indifferent—she, who had “spread rumors” and judged little Lucia and her cousins, but who then cheered and sang when the Mayor freed them from prison and exclaimed loudly, “It’s a miracle!” when she saw the sun dance and come down from the sky on October 13.

Acting on a "real" stage with a pit, balconies, and galleries was such an emotional experience, but it didn’t compare to the joy of knowing that, the day after the performance, someone returned to Mass because they felt in their heart the desire to meet God. And to think that on that stage were simple people: hairdressers, office workers, moms, dads, children, and students—an ensemble of non-professionals, almost a ragtag army, a risk to bring them together! But this has always been Jesus and Mary’s way: to rely on those no one else would choose, so that the work is clearly from Heaven, not just the fruit of human effort.

(Elena Meo)

Photos above: 1. On stage in Castelfiorentino, at the Teatro del Popolo; 2. Elena as the "gossiping woman," between Annamaria (as Sister Lucia) and Natalia (one of the novices) on the stage of the Teatro del Popolo; 3. The cast together in prayer during the Eucharistic Celebration at the FIHM Opera in Montignoso.