WYD theme song launched

By ART BABYCH
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

Backed by choral students from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School board in Toronto, a group of young artists from various parts of the country performed the theme song, Light of the World, which is linked to the WYD theme: "You are the Salt of the Earth, You are the Light of the World."

About 400 people attended the event.

The song was written and composed by Quebec priest, Father Robert Lebel, a well-known francophone composer. Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher, auxiliary bishop of Sault Ste-Marie, Ont., provided the English lyrics.

Lebel said the challenge to compose the theme song was great but added, "I trusted in the Holy Spirit, asking and hoping for the grace of inspiration."

Father Thomas Rosica, the national director of WYD 2002, told those gathered, "This song brings together the entire country."

The Light of the World is the signature of Canada's WYD "and a reminder to the whole Church and world that the powers of darkness and fear will not triumph," he said.

He also said the song is a tribute to Pope John Paul and to composers, musicians and young singers from across the country.

Rosica said Oregon Catholic Press, the largest Catholic music publisher in North America and a principal sponsor of WYD 2002, is the exclusive producer and distributor of Light of the World.

"It will also produce, on Feb. 14, the official CD that contains all of the liturgical music for WYD next summer as well as selections from throughout the world that have been sent to us and will be performed during the youth festival," said Rosica.

Excerpts of the song can be heard on the website of Oregon Catholic Press at www.ocp.org/wyd2002.

World Youth Day 2002, which will be held in Toronto from July 23-28. The event's web site is at www.wyd2002.org.

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