Mallett invited to sing his 'Song for Karol' at the Vatican

Mark Mallet

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Vegreville

A song Mark Mallett penned upon learning of the death of Pope John Paul II found its way to the Vatican. And the Vegreville artist has been invited to Rome to play it live.

"Someone sent a copy to the head of the John Paul II Foundation, who were producing a video on the pontiff's life," Mallett said. "They wanted to use the song on the video."

On the 25th anniversary of the foundation, Mallett was asked to come to Rome along with other artists, who have contributed to the late pope's life through music and the arts.

Mallett will play Song for Karol and two other original works.

"I was deeply moved when they contacted me. If just symbolically, I am going to lay my ministry down at the altar of the basilica. It is an answer to prayer," he said.

Mallett says he is uncertain whether Pope Benedict will be present for his Oct. 22 performance. He has an audience with the pope the following day.

"The purpose of my ministry is evangelization so I'm delighted to know that what I'm doing is able to go beyond my local region. If God intends a local ministry, there is nothing wrong with that. I'm honoured and deeply touched because for me, Pope John Paul has been a lighthouse."

Mallett plans to visit his tomb in the Vatican.

Following his internationally recognized rosary double CD that has sold some 10,000 copies, Mallett is currently producing another devotional recording called The Divine Mercy Chaplet.

"Every day, we have copies of the Rosary CD going out around the world. Some of the testimonies have been quite dramatic. I had two people say it is leading them to a conversion into the Catholic faith. Some have said they experience extraordinary peace when they reflect upon Jesus," he said.

"According to Pope John Paul, the form of his pontificate was to bring divine mercy to the Church. He did this explicitly through canonizing St. Faustina and declaring the Sunday after Easter the feast of Divine Mercy," Mallett said. "This was his mission to bring this devotion to the Church."

With his song Love Live In Me, Mallett is up for inspirational song of the year by the Gospel Music Association, for Canada's annual Covenant Awards, to be held Oct. 27 in Calgary.

Mallett is also scheduled to appear on the Eternal Word Television Network Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.

"As an artist you never look forward to singing on live television," he said with a laugh. "But I'm looking forward to it."

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