Counted as Mine, an Operetta
With deep joy and gratitude, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe introduces an occasion unlike any that attendees will have experienced before: Counted as Mine, an operetta presenting the entire story of the Guadalupe apparitions in musical drama, to be professionally performed at the Weber Center in La Crosse, WI.
The Operetta’s Origins
Counted as Mine began as a play written by Mother Mary Francis, PCC (1921–2006), foundress of the Poor Clare monastery in Roswell, NM, and author of many beloved spiritual works. First published in 1961, it was set to music by Father Joseph Roff, an accomplished composer of liturgical music. The operetta premiered at the Blackfriars Theater in Manhattan in 1962, under the title Our Lady of Mexico, but was not performed again—until now.
His Eminence’s Vision
“For years I’ve been asking various people if they would consider putting on the operetta,” says Cardinal Burke, who knew Mother Mary Francis well. Finally, last year, he brought it to the Shrine’s Sacred Music Director, Scott Turkington, to inquire about producing it in La Crosse. Ever since, “it’s been a large part of the music department’s work,” says Turkington. This is the first time the operetta will be publicly performed under its original title, Counted as Mine, which is taken from Our Lady’s words to Saint Juan Diego.
Performance Dates
The performances will take place on Saturday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 22, at 2:30 p.m. Providentially, these dates fall not only on the weekend of Corpus Christi Sunday, but right before Cardinal Burke’s Golden Jubilee anniversary of ordination, June 29. His Eminence gratefully notes the timing, recalling how Our Lady has accompanied him all through his priesthood: “I count as one of the great gifts of my priesthood the constant guidance and protection of Our Lady, especially Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Truth, Beauty, and Goodness
Following the Shrine’s principle of always showing truth in beauty, the operetta is to be produced with all possible quality and care. Indeed, such an extraordinary story requires no less. “It’s quite a challenge, let’s put it that way, to create in a theatrical setting a miraculous apparition,” Turkington comments. “Through lighting, costuming, clever timing, music, and everything, that will, we hope, come to life in a very big way.” The professional skills of the cast and crew—including the direction of Gary Briggle, a nationally known singer-actor and director—form a large part of that anticipation.
The Operetta’s Purpose
Above all, Counted as Mine is an ode of love to our Mother. Cardinal Burke praises it as “completely faithful to the apparitions and the message.” Scott Turkington, too, emphasizes the transcendent truth brought to life through all the theatrical splendor: “Our principal purpose is to bring it to the people for their edification.” God willing, the operetta will offer audiences a unique immersion in the Guadalupe story—a story of God’s grace, through His Mother, transforming a nation forever—and so help them discover, or rediscover, the joy of belonging to Him through her.
