Sister Cristina Scuccia performs
When Sister Cristina Scuccia first appeared on the Italian version of The Voice in 2014, she had to explain to the bemused judges, “I am a very real nun.” In the show’s “blind audition,” they had to judge her singing talent worthy before turning their chairs to see her in full habit. Her crucifix necklace swung to the beat as the bespectacled 25-year-old Sicilian danced with abandon, singing Alicia Keys’ “No One.” When she won the trophy, the Ursuline nun recited The Lord’s Prayer. Several weeks later, she signed a record deal with Universal, which will release her self-titled debut album on November 10th.
We spoke with Sister Christina about her upcoming participation in the Columbus Day Parade. How do you feel about performing at the New York Columbus Day Parade? I am euphoric to the idea of attending one of the largest Italian-American celebrations. I have always heard of it and I’m having the joy of participating and the great desire to learn more about it. What parts of the weekend’s celebration are you looking forward to? One of the moments I really look forward to is exactly that of the parade during which bands, wagons and groups parade. I'm really curious to find out the way it will take place! I'd really wish to attend the Annual Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, in order to join in prayer together with those who have found the faith and continue to find in it an anchor of salvation among the difficulties of those who emigrated. What have you been doing since winning The Voice? The adventure at The Voice began as a mission aimed to announce the joy of the Gospel as Pope Francis invites us to do; and in an unexpected way, this experience, from episode to episode, evolved in a direction I could never have imagined. Today, even in the light of this experience, I can say with even greater strength that when we generously give ourselves to Christ, he will return our offer a hundred times.
I had the opportunity to record the first album "Sister Cristina" and to travel the world, reaching even Japan for a really funny showcase at Tokyo YouTube Live Space. In the United States, feeling myself very small among the huge skyscrapers, I met some faithful from the Brooklyn diocese for a Christmas concert at Lincoln Center last December. I attended Good Day New York and the Today Show, a very original experience for the effect of the view from the inside of the TV studios of people who go to work in the morning, having almost the feeling of being part of a real American movie.
In Switzerland, I interpreted the role of Kate Murphy in the Musical “Titanic” who became Sister Kate Murphy. In Italy, after receiving the extraordinary Whoopi Goldberg tweet, I also participated in the musical "Sister Act" as Sister Maria Roberta. Last year, on the occasion of the World Youth Day, the Lord led me to Poland for the concert that followed the vigil with Pope Francis; I also had the chance to travel to Argentina for a wonderful musical experience that I will carry forever in my heart.
If they told me that one day I would have had the chance to turn around the world, to know and to confront people of different cultures and religions, I would have not believed it; but the Lord is capable of doing wonderful works in our lives, starting from small things, perhaps less tangible, up to the more visible ones: you just have to trust in Him and surrender yourself in His arms!