A group of six Ursuline nuns will be singing a catchy pop tune Philip Vella wrote and composed about their experiences raising abandoned children at the Sliema crèche at this year's Malta Eurovision Song Contest.

The nuns' song 'Love and Let Go' is one of 48 songs that have been shortlisted for the contest. A total of 134 songs were submitted.

“At first we thought it was silly for nuns to enter the Eurovision Song Contest, we thought it wasn’t our place. But then we figured why not? We’re doing it for the church and for the children we help,” Sr Michaela told Times of Malta.

The group have been working on the song since August and rehearse after Mass and in between caring for all the children.

“It’s tough, we’re not professionals, but we make time for it when we can,” Sr Madeline said.

They obtained permission to participate in the contest from Archbishop Paul Cremona who told them to follow the advice of Pope Francis and Evangelise the world.

“So that’s what we’re doing. Now that it’s happening, I have to pinch myself,” Sr Michaela said. 

The other nuns besides Sr Michaela and Sr Madeline are Sr Monica, Sr Rita, Sr Claudia and Sr Denise.

The 48 songs will be further shortlisted to 20 on October 3. The contest is being held on November 21 and 22.