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On May 23, 1992, an exact replica of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Pražské Jezulátko) was brought during Expo 1992 for "Prague Honors Seville." Ing. Hana Havlová asks me to send King of Hearts (Rey de Corazones) for this historical event in the Basílica de la Macarena. Through Havlová's resourcefulness, King of Hearts first airs on PRAHA Radio, and is also played for the Press Conference between Spain and Czechoslovakia, representing the United States of America. As the Holy Infant Jesus returns to His Blessed Mother Mary, the Miraculous Infant statue replica returns to its origin in Spain, tenderly placed before the Mary Most Holy of Hope Macarena (La Macarena) at Basilica de María Santísima de la Esperanza Macarena, Sevilla. The circle is closed in a symbolic way; Czechoslovakia will never be the same.
A Carmelite priest, from Our Lady of Victory in Prague, kindly introduces me to Auxiliary Bishop of Prague, František Václav Lobkowicz (+
) , descendant of the Lobkowicz noble men and women preserving the Infant during the 1600s. Another choice honor! Upon my presentation, a crack is visible on the clear cassette box directly over the map of Czechoslovakia ~ between what will soon be the Czech and Slovak Republics! Upon offering a new cassette tape, The Most Reverend Lobkowicz thoughtfully but gently refused, and said, "Ah, no, I shall keep this one." He preferred to keep the cracked tape box as if he knew what would soon transpire in his country. Prince von Lobkowicz, a direct descendant from the royal Lobkowicz family who was given the image, listens to Our Royal Heavenly King of Kings!
Celebrating the Feast of St. Wenceslas, the California Czech Club (C.C.C.) President asks me to present King of Hearts to Archbishop Miroslav Vlk (+) at Star of the Sea Church, San Francisco CA, October 2, 1992. Happily, I process for the Presentation of the Gifts. Before I could fully kneel, Archbishop Vlk kindly held his arms out for me to rise. I prayed during the mass: "Lord, if you desire me to come to Prague, please have someone invite me. I do not want to invite myself but to be invited." Shortly thereafter, at the reception, I was most pleased to be introduced by Peter Pohorsky, a devout Catholic Czech man, to Archbishop Vlk. Immediately His Excellency firmly shook my hand, leaned towards me, smiled, and said, "You are invited to Prague!"
On March 13, 1996, Delaney was also invited by Vermont scriptwriter, Helene Champagne, to include one of her most notable compositions, King of Hearts, for the film score for ICON. The script interweaves the story of an autistic child and the historic story of the Infant Jesus of Prague.
On September 14, 1997, following an invitation from Sister Superior Salome, M.C. from the Missionaries of Charity community in San Francisco CA, Delaney and Kristina Sachs sang two of Delaney's compositions, Only a Whisper and Before We Go. The Memorial Mass was held in honor of Mother Teresa, M.C. at St. Paul's Church, San Francisco CA.
Delaney established Interval: The Next Step in 2002, a music and drama school. She serves as teacher and mentor for students of voice, piano, violin, musical theater, auditions and monologues, light opera, theory, and songwriting. Interval reflects both the music definition and our own passages of life we experience along our journey.
The first invitation for the World Premiere of the hymn, Srdcí Král/King of Hearts, was sent on December 6, 1999 by Fr. Marco Chiolerio, O.C.D., Rector of Panny Marie Vitězné (Church of Our Lady Victorious) in the Malá Strana District of Prague, Czech Republic. The original Prazské Jezulátko (Infant Jesus of Prague) statue is cared for by the Carmelites and housed in a high altar. "Have mercy on Me and I will have mercy on you. Give Me My hands, and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you!" As the Infant Jesus of Prague spoke these words to Carmelite Father Cyril in 1637, the message still remains true for all ages.
To make the best arrangements for musicians and singers, a new invitation letter dated on May 5, 2003 arrived from Fr. Petr Sleich, O.C.D., confirming the Premiere. Delaney's outstanding host, Doc. Ing. Štefan Zajac, from Charles University, would be Delaney's host for three Prague visits and is now a dear friend.
During the Communion Meditation of the opening mass for the Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague, the Czech version (Srdcí Král) was beautifully sung by Eliška Toperczerová on May 18, 2003 at the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague. Fr. Petr then warmly speaks, "...I was moved to tears. It is no little thing what you have done for the Infant Jesus. Thank you, Miss Anne!" His gracious words are etched in time and memory.
Father Jerome Moras, O.C.D. then invited Delaney to sing King of Hearts in English at the following Sunday's closing mass. On May 25, 2003, Delaney joyfully sang in her soprano voice the hymn with Drahomíra Chvátalová, the organist, and Roman Fedchuk, the violinist, for the closing procession to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague. A choice honor Delaney shall never forget. Her unending gratitude to the Infant Jesus!