Rome diocese’s official hymn for Blessed John Paul II

A Vatican-Poland joint issue postage stamp marking the beatification. (CNS/Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office)

ROME — Msgr. Marco Frisina, the director of liturgy for the Diocese of Rome, a composer and director of the diocesan choir, has written a hymn for the beatification of Pope John Paul II: “Aprite le Porte a Cristo” (“Open the Doors to Christ”).

The hymn will have its public debut in Rome April 30 during the Rome diocese’s prayer vigil in preparation for the pope’s beatification May 1. A portion of the hymn in Latin also will be sung in St. Peter’s Square May 1 immediately after the recitation of the formula declaring Pope John Paul blessed.

The Italian words of the refrain can be translated as: “Open the doors to Christ/Do not be afraid, Open wide your heart/To the love of God.”

Msgr. Frisina said the eight verses of the hymn highlight the most important qualities of Pope John Paul: His witness of hope, his fatherly love for youth, his witness of faith, his love for the family, his work for peace and justice, his demonstration of the redemptive power of suffering and his love for Mary.

The monsignor told reporters yesterday that he has posted a sound clip and the words of the hymn so that people can practice before the big event.