SYDNEY - 14 May 2007 - 439 words
Song
by Australian star chosen for World Youth Day 2008
'Recieve the Power; - a song by Australian singer-songwriter Guy
Sebastian has been chosen as the anthem for the XXIII World Youth
Day in Sydney next year.
"We wanted a song that was stirring
and uplifting," WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP
said. "Above all, it had to engage young people and capture
the theme of World Youth Day 2008 namely, that you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
will be my witnesses."
"To put it simply, 'Receive the Power' hit the mark on every
level. Clearly, Guy knew we needed a song that would inspire the
young people of the world to take up Christ's challenge to go
to the ends of the Earth and be His witnesses; for many people
in the northern hemisphere, Australia is the ends of the Earth!"
A song competition for WYD08 drew more
than 120 entries last year many of them outstanding compositions
in their own right but the judging panel felt none quite
delivered all the elements in a single package.
Several composers were then invited to submit songs for consideration,
from which "Receive the Power" emerged as the favoured
WYD08 theme.
A demo recording was delivered to the Pontifical Council for the
Laity the Vatican body overseeing World Youth Day preparations
which granted its approval and support when Bishop Fisher
visited in April.
"The WYD08 theme had to measure up thematically and be anthemic
- yet be easily sung by people of all language backgrounds,"
Bishop Fisher said.
"We are confident 'Receive the Power' will rally young Catholics
of all backgrounds to World Youth Day in 2008."
Guy Sebastian came to prominence as the winner of the first Australian Idol in 2003. Since then, he has released three top five albums and seven top 20 singles, including three number ones.
Guy started writing songs for his church since he was 13 years of age and is a prolific songwriter.
In 2005, Guy was appointed Ambassador
for World Vision and visited Uganda to shoot a documentary highlighting
the issues of poverty and civil war and their impact on the population.
Guy collaborated with singer/songwriter Gary Pinto in the final
stages of the song.
Australian born of Indian heritage, Gary fronted the multi-platinum
selling R&B band CDB in the 1990s before embarking on a successful
solo career.
He has written songs for several Australian artists including
Guy, Anthony Callea, Christine Anu, Jimmy Barnes, Jade MacRae,
and American soul singer Taylor Dayne.
Source: WYD08
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
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