At each World Youth Day (WYD) there is an official hymn. It is a song that marks every encounter of young people from all over the world with the Pope. That hymn, for those who have participated in previous WYDs, is a song that has marked their lives forever and hearing it again is almost like living indescribable days. That’s the immense power of the New Evangelization.
Fr. João Paulo Vaz, a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Coimbra, Portugal, is the author of the lyrics of the official hymn of WYD Lisbon 2023, entitled “There’s a Rush in the Air!” The hymn was chosen through a contest, which happened for the first time. In previous editions, an artist or musical group was always asked to compose the official hymn.
Fr. João Paulo mentioned the importance that a hymn has for the life of a young person participating in WYD. He said, “I have participated in six WYDs and the hymns have always been a milestone in the history and life of those who have participated. It’s almost like a memorial for each WYD.”
A HYMN OF FRATERNITY
The WYD hymn makes the dream of universal fraternity that Pope Francis calls for into reality. WYD is undoubtedly an encounter of peoples and a communion that can only be experienced here in this worldwide youth event.
Regarding this universal and fraternal dimension of the hymn, Fr. John Paul added that, “the official hymn of a WYD is no longer mine or the parish band’s; it becomes the hymn written and composed by the youth of the whole world and it is the youth who sing it and live it. The WYD hymn is the hymn of the Church! It is no longer my hymn, it is no longer my lyrics, it is no longer my music! It is ours, and so it belongs to everyone.”
The hymn has already been translated into other languages, for example, Spanish, French and English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Polish and Thai. It is also translated to sign language — an innovation by the organization of WYD Lisbon 2023! Also, the musical styles of the various versions of the hymn abound from pop-rock to rap and electronic music.
Another expression of this universality and fraternity is the fact that this hymn will now be officially sung not by its authors, but by the WYD Lisbon 2023 choir that has been rehearsing to sing at the central events of WYD. The choir is composed of young people from all the dioceses of Portugal and some from abroad. Therefore, the hymn is, without any doubt, an example of what the Church is called to be: universal beyond all borders, fraternal, and inclusive!
THE THEME
The WYD 23 hymn states that it was Mary who was the first to witness and welcome “the great surprise of life without end. And like her, I am urged not to be silent, not to stop saying: ‘My Lord, count on me, I will not be silent anymore’”. Once we have experienced God’s unconditional love for each and every one of us, we can no longer stand still-the invitation to be a missionary of God’s love to all whom I meet on my way, but also to go far away and proclaim this love to those who have not yet come to know it. This was the experience of Mary who “set out in haste to announce to her cousin Elizabeth the great news that she had just received from God!” And this is the main theme of the WYD 2023 hymn.
