The 13-year-old who sang her heart out for Pope Leo
Thirteen-year-old Eva Molenmaker, the new star of the musical *Bernadette de Lourdes*, performed at Lourdes on September 27. She sang with the musical’s cast before a crowd of more than 150,000 and later performed two songs for Pope Leo during his meeting with sick people, caregivers, and volunteers. Molenmaker began singing lessons at age 7 and was discovered by the musical’s producer after he heard her singing “Hallelujah” in Aix-en-Provence. She hoped her performance would leave people with the story of Bernadette in their hearts, and Pope Leo appeared moved by her singing.
2 days ago
Thirteen-year-old Eva Molenmaker, who plays St. Bernadette in the musical Bernadette de Lourdes, performed in Lourdes on September 27, including two songs for Pope Leo XIV during his meeting with sick people, caregivers and volunteers. She said she hoped the performance would leave listeners with Bernadette’s story and touch the Pope. 1
More than 150,000 people gathered in Lourdes for Eva’s performance with the musical’s cast. Later, at the Accueil Notre-Dame, she sang for the Pope from a short distance away; the article described him as visibly moved. 1
Before the visit, Eva said she could hardly believe the opportunity and hoped people would carry Bernadette’s story in their hearts. She later described singing for and meeting the Pope as “a unique experience.” 1
Eva began singing lessons at age seven and reached the final of the French television competition Prodiges Pop when she was ten. Producer Roberto Ciurleo first noticed her singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in a street in Aix-en-Provence, then recalled her when the production sought a new Bernadette. 1
In the musical, Eva portrays Bernadette Soubirous, who was 14 when she said the Virgin Mary appeared to her at Lourdes in 1858. Eva is 13. 1
Rehearsals sometimes cause Eva to miss school, and she relies on friends to help her catch up with lessons. She has said she hopes to sing for people and touch their hearts. 1*
Sacred music as consolation and Christian witness
Sacred music consoles because it helps the human heart pray, lifts the mind toward God, and gives voice to faith when words alone feel inadequate. It also bears Christian witness: through beauty, shared song, and the lives of those who serve the Church through music, it can draw people toward the mystery of God.
In the liturgy, music is not merely decoration. It gives prayer a fuller expression, helps unite the voices of the assembly, and can raise minds to heavenly realities. Its worth, however, is not measured simply by grandeur or technical display: the essential thing is that the liturgy be celebrated worthily and that the faithful enter its mystery through prayer, contemplation, and praise.
That is one source of consolation. Sacred song can make the words of faith more deeply felt and help sustain a Christian life beyond the church. Pius XII observed that the fruits of sacred music are seen in conduct worthy of a Christian; John Paul II likewise connected singing the faith in worship with living out its impulses in daily life.
Music also witnesses to the Gospel by making faith audible and beautiful. A musician’s work, offered with faith and reverence, can help listeners profess the faith and grow in devotion. And religious music can serve as a bridge to people who are not yet fully receptive to Christ but are open to beauty and its invitation to transcendence.
Those who compose, teach, sing, or play sacred music therefore serve more than an artistic purpose: they contribute to the Church’s prayer and exercise a genuine apostolate. Their service can bring consolation to others—and, as Pius XII noted, can itself be a source of joy and solace for those who practice it faithfully.