Kudos also go to Leonardo De Amicis and Stefano Mainetti who did a magnificent job combining sacred choral singing, light symphonic styles and synthesized world music and pop motifs. The music is soothing, upbeat and spiritually moving.
About Pope John Paul II
The Pope's birth name: Karol Jozef Wojtyla (pronounced KARR-ol YOO-zef voy-TIH-wah).
Wojtyla was born in Wadowice Poland on May 20th, 1920.
He lost both of his parents at an early age, and he survived Nazi and Soviet occupations in his homeland.
Personally, he was passionate about sports and the theater.
In 1942, he chose serving the Lord over a career in theater. In 1946, he became ordained as a priest.
His father had a dream that one day he would be a Pope. However, his father died eighteen months before he dedicated his life to the Lord.
In 1954, he was appointed professor of ethics at Catholic University of Lublin.
In 1964, he received an appointment to become a resident Archbishop of Krakow.
On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church -- succeeding Pope John Paul I. From that day forward Wojtyla took the name John Paul II.
Before becoming the Catholic bishop and patriarch of Rome, he served as the Bishop of Krakow. He ascended to the Vatican at the age of 58.
For twenty-six years, Wojtyla led the world's 1 billion Catholics from Rome and around the world wherever he made his presence known.
In 1981, he survived a bullet wound from a Turkish assassin.
While he spent months in a hospital recovering, Pope John Paul II was quick to forgive this man. In fact, in 1983 he met with the assassin but the conversation remains confidential.
He was one of the most charming, charismatic leaders of the new millennium.
He spoke eight languages fluently, which enabled him to touch the souls of people from many countries and many walks of life.
As the most traveled Pope in history, he was able to reach common people and significant leaders. He worked tirelessly as an advocate for human rights and for world peace.
He believed that birth control, euthanasia and abortion are not good in the world.
He will go down in history as one who stood up against communism from his homeland of Poland.
From his humble beginnings in Poland to his selection as the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years, Pope John Paul II will be remembered as one of the most renowned and respected leaders of the 20th century.
Time Magazine 1994 Man of The Year
In 1994, Time Magazine named him "Man of The Year."
In the 2,000 year history of the church, there have been two Popes who have the title "The Great" attached to their names.
Leo I "The Great" and Gregory "The Great" were in the 5th Century and 6th Century.
The rumor is that John Paul will be the next "Great" Pope.
The Pope inspired many -- from world and religious leaders to musical conductors.
His spirituality transcended religion, so much so, Pope John Paul II inspired the first American conductor invited to perform at the Vatican to return to his roots and become an Orthodox Jew.
Gilvert Levine became known as "the Pope's conductor."
Pope John Paul II was particularly found of Psalm 26.
This Old Testament chapter is David saying:
Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
without wavering.
Test me, O Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.
I do not sit with deceitful men,
nor do I consort with
hypocrites;
I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I was my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, O Lord,
proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful
deeds.
I love the house where you live,
O Lord,
the place where your glory dwells.
Do not take away my soul along
with sinners,
my life with bloodthirsty men,
in whose hands are wicked
schemes,
whose right hands are full of
bribes.
But I lead a blameless life;
redeem me and be merciful to
me.
My feet stand on level ground;
in the great assembly I will
praise the Lord.
The Holy Father's message: "The Lord is my light and my salvation."
Abba Pater Music
Pope John Paul II's recorded voice allows you to hear some of the speeches he wrote in longhand and how he came to inspire so many.
Eleven tracks are included on the Abba Pater CD.
1. Cercate Il Suo Volto - Seek His Face
2. Cristo E Liberazione - Christ Is Freedom
3. Verum Caro Factum Est - The Word Became Flesh
4. Abba Pater - Father
5. Vieni Santo Spirito - Come, Holy Spirit
6. Padre, Ti Chiediamo Perdono - Father, We Ask Your Forgiveness
7. Dove C'e Amore C'e Dio - Where There Is Love, There Is God
8. Padre Della Luce - Father of Light
9. Un Comandamento Nuovo - New Commandment
10. Madre Di Tutte Le Genti - Mother Of All Mankind
11. La Legge Delle Beatitudini - The Law Of The Beatitudes
On Christ Is Freedom, Pope John Paul II says in English, "Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity." It is a powerful message for Christians and non-Christians alike.
On this piece and others, he speaks passages from a variety of sources and in several languages.
The historic recording of Abba Pater was made in liAquila at the Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria by a young people's orchestra, which was assembled especially for the making of the Pope's CD.
If you enjoy the soothing sound of the Pope's voice, you will especially appreciate this piece that makes you feel like you are attending one of his masses.
The prayers and Mass excerpts were taken from the Pope's broadcast on Vatican radio.
The CD offers a mix of hip background music includes Latin American sounds, percussion instruments, Andean flutes, accordions with a full orchestra, an operatic piece, Indian and tribal percussions and drums.
This collection of music should be on everyone's iPod or MP3 player.
Another Release Starring Pope John Paul II
On March 22nd 2005, Memory and Identity was published celebrating the life of John Paul II, the 264th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
Currently, the office of Pope is vacant. This vacancy is known as sede vacante, or the vacant seat. Between April 17th and April 22nd over 100 cardinals less than 80 years of age will conduct a Papal Election to select a new Pope. The College of Cardinals will not emerge from the Sistine Chapel until they have chosen a new leader.
The 265th Pope will need a two-thirds majority vote to be elected.
On Friday, April 8th, the funeral for Pope John Paul II will be held in Rome at the Vatican. We will be watching and celebrating this great man's life with all those grateful for his successful, dedicated Christian ministry.
Among the political figures who will reportedly pay tribute to the Pope in Rome will be: U.S. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, President Bush Sr., President Clinton, President Carter, Senator Edward Kennedy, King Abdullah of Jordan, President Aleksander Kwasniewski, Prime Minister Marek Belka and Lech Walesa of Poland, President Jacques Chirac and Bernadette Chirac of France, Ukrainian president Victor Yushchenko, President Horst Koehler and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany, President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern of Ireland, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero of Spain, Italy's President Carlo Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Nelson Mandela.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles has chosen to postpone their wedding "out of respect" for Pope John Paul II, and so that Prince Charles can attend the Pope's funeral in Rome. Prince Charles and Mrs Parker Bowles will be wed on Saturday, April 9th. The U.K.'s Prime Minister, Tony Blair is expected to attend both ceremonies.
May John Paul II "The Great" rest in peace.
And may the new pope be blessed by God. May he "see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living," as David said.
Thank you Pope John Paul II for your music, for your love of music and for sharing your voice with all believers and non-believers from every walk of life.
Inspire & Be Inspired.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "the eternal, universal language of music" living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC
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