When in Rome . . .
Our friends in Italy were teasing me. They said that the pope comes to America and I go to Italy. I was really pretty conflicted about that. I took consolation in knowing that I was in Italy during the 3rd anniversary of the Pope Benedict's election. I was reminded of John Paul II's papacy and had the opportunity to pray at his tomb in St. Peter's. I'll write about this another time, but I truly believe his intercession got me to Spirit & Song.
He is the patron saint of the New Evangelization. He said that our time needed evangelization that was new in zeal, new in expressions, and new in methods. He wanted these to come together to renew the culture into a civilization of love. New music is being produced around the world that is full of zeal, newly expresses the faith, and is being delivered through new methods. In the US, worship music is renewing our churches. But in Italy, performance music is doing it.
HolyMusic is a festival that spiritandsong.com has been involved with for the past five years. It is in a small village and it is not a worship conference. It is well choreographed and highly produced. Its not worshipful and organic like spiritandsong.com events. But it fits the culture and offers art that is hopeful and communicates the Gospel. After five years, new gospel choirs are springing up. New songwriters are writing songs about taking the Gospel to the streets. New artists who have the option of taking a secular route are choosing to sing about our Lord. I am honored to be a partner with Omnibus. Please visit them. They read English and would love to hear some support from you!
Don't speak Italian? Try this English translation of the HolyMusic site.
Listen to the internationally renowned hymn Jesus Christ, You Are My Life by Omnibus founder Marco Frisina.