Denver, Colo., Aug 21, 2024 / 16:45 pm (CNA).
The Catholic community in Singapore released a theme song for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the country.
Pope Francis will visit the Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore from Sept. 2 – 13. The 11-day multi-country trip will be the longest papal trip of Francis’ papacy.
The song, entitled ‘One Church, One People,’ was composed by Ethan Hsu, a founding member of the Singaporean band Mystic Font and parishioner of the Church of Saint Mary of the Angels.
Telling the story of salvation from Genesis to the New Testament, the song is designed to reflect liturgical principles and encourage unity within the Church, according to LiCAS News.
“We are one Church made holy in the Lord, led by the Spirit, one people of God,” the song says. “We will rise with him, Jesus Christ, our King, together we are light for the world.”
Hsu told LiCAS News that the song “reminds us that we are one Church, made holy in the Lord and led by the Holy Spirit, galvanized as one people of God to become light for the world.”
The songwriter turned to prayer to make sure the composition of the song aligned with the values of the Catholic faith.
Hsu called the process of creating this song one of unity and hope.
“It was testimony that we found unity and hope in this project, even within our own little work group,” he said.
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How about this as his theme song: “Send in the Clowns.”
Similar to the song, Cardinal Goh’s website theme is “Unity, Hope, and the Cross.” Something like synodality’s three-fold “communion, participation, and mission,” but also quite different…
So, the visit with Cardinal Goh of Singapore offers exceptional promise. Below are two incisive selections from an interview in April: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2024/05/03/cardinal-goh-of-singapore-deep-encounter-with-jesus-is-key-to-passing-on-the-faith/
“But I don’t believe that we should try to compromise the Gospel. And that is my fear: that, today, even Church leaders are compromising the Gospel. I don’t think Jesus ever compromised the Gospel, even for the adulterous woman. He says, ‘I do not judge you, I do not condemn you, but please sin no more.’ I think that has to be mentioned. This is where the importance of truthfulness, mercy, and compassion [comes in].”
“…as has often been said, or some bishops are suggesting, perhaps there should be another level where it is really a Synod of Bishops, after hearing the laypeople, after journeying with them; there should be that level of bishop synods, where the bishops can come together, because that synod [with laity] cannot really be considered a theological dogmatic synod, because not all are theologically trained.”
Beautiful welcome song. Fine effort.