Summer vacation will be short-lived for a group of Holy Names high school students.

They will be working right through July before setting off on a whirlwind trip to Italy and to perform at a mass at the Vatican.

“A lot of practice makes good work,” says Grade 12 singer Gillian Moore-Nicol.

The group practices three days a week, twice a day to fine-tunes its work.

“It’s an honour to be invited to sing for such a large audience,” says Grade 9 singer Steven Langlois.

But what these singers are rehearsing for is no average performance.

“This is crazy and special,” says Grade 9 singer Alix Williams. “I can't even imagine the kind of footprint this will leave on me.”

Choir leader and teacher Rose Jobin knows what to expect, she took the entire band and choir to Europe 12 years ago.

“I played the Vatican organ and the monk stood behind me the whole time,” says Jobin.

The choir has no way of knowing if Pope Francis will be at their mass.

“It'd be nice if I could say I was in the presence of the pope one time. That would be cool,” says Grade 11 singer Mark Dumaine.