The Vatican has chosen a composition by English Catholic composer Paul Inwood to be the official setting for the hymn of the Holy Year of Mercy.
Mr Inwood’s setting was judged the best entry in an international competition organised by The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation and judged by a committee that included Mgr Massimo Palombella, Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir.
The hymn, which is available in Italian, English and French, has been recorded with the Sistine Chapel Choir and the support of Vatican Radio.
The text, which runs to four verses, has a Latin antiphon and refrains.
Mr Inwood, a former Director of Liturgy for the Diocese of Portsmouth, said that his setting was inspired by music from the Taizé Community, the ecumenical monastic order from France that uses a contemplative, repetitive style of music to enhance prayer and meditation.
Of his setting Mr Inwood said: “I deliberately kept the music very simple so that even the smallest parishes can hopefully make use of it.”
Mr Inwood has donated all rights to the setting to the Pontifical Council to aid its diffusion around the world.
The Holy Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis begins on 8 December.
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