A priest from De Pere’s St. Norbert College has won a competition for his hymn to be used when Pope Francis visits Philadelphia next year.
Father Andrew Ciferni — who is a Norbertine, and directs Norbertine Studies at the college — wrote the lyrics for the hymn which is titled “Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom.” He said it was inspired by the Liberty Bell.
“I did not know it when I wrote that line that the logo for this event is the Liberty Bell. So I think that’s American,” said Ciferni.
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A collaborator, Normand Gouin, composed the music that will accompany Father Ciferni’s lyrics.
Ciferni is originally from Philadelphia, where the pope will visit in September of 2015 during his U.S. tour in order to appear at the World Meeting of Families. It’s not known exactly who will perform the piece, and Ciferni isn’t sure he’ll be there to hear it.
“I don’t like big crowds,” he said.
Ciferni is also hopeful, but skeptical, that efforts to get the pope to northeastern Wisconsin will pan out.
Listen to the hymn “Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom.” below:
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