The international version of the official theme song for WYD Panama 2019 has been released! In six months, hundreds of thousands of youth will arrive in Panama for the 34th World Youth Day, and last night, July 4th, at the annual seminary fund-raising dinner, the Local Organizing Committee released the international version of the WYD Theme Song. “We have to remember that WYD is an international and multi-lingual event, which is why the theme song has to be sung in many languages,” said (Salt + Light's) Deacon Pedro Guevara-Mann, who is the Artistic Director for WYD 2019. “We can’t forget that, even though most pilgrims will be Spanish speakers, the other half will speak English, Portuguese, Italian and French,” he added. Since the first official WYD in Rome in 1986, each one has had a Theme Song. For Rome 2000, for the first time, the song was presented in an international version, which was repeated again in Toronto 2002, in Cologne 2005 and in Sydney in 2008. “But for some reason, it was not done for Madrid 2011,” said Deacon Pedro, who also was Artistic Director for WYD 2002. “For Rio 2013 and Krakow 2016, instead of having an international version, there were different language versions, but this was done by each country, not coordinated by the local committee.” For WYD 2019, it was decided that the Theme Song, composed by Abdiel Jimenez, would also be done in a version that includes the five official languages of WYD. In order to achieve an adaptation that was true to Jimenez’s music, Deacon Pedro contacted various Catholic composers of international renown so they could help with the translations. The Italian version was adapted by Fr. Marco Frisina, who is best known for his Jesus Christ, You Are My Life, featured during Rome 2000 and has become, perhaps, the un-official theme of all World Youth Days. The Portuguese version was translated by Ziza Fernandes of Brazil. The English version was done by Fr. Robert Galea of Australia, and the French version was done by the talented musicians and composers of the Chemin Neuf Community in France. Once each language version was approved, Deacon Pedro worked with the producer and arranger of the original song, Anibal Muñoz, in order to achieve the perfect mix. The international version was recorded completely in Panama using Panamanian Catholic singers, who had to polish their language skills. The soloists for the International Version of the Song are Gabriel Díaz, Marisol Carrasco, Masciel Muñoz (Spanish), Lucia Muñoz, Pepe Casis (Italian), Naty Beitia (French), José Berástegui y Eduviges Tejedor (English)  of Panama, and the Portuguese by Erick Vianna y Kiara Vasconcelos of the Shalom Community from Brazil, who are in Panama working for WYD 2019. At the same time as the release of the Theme Song, the official video of the Theme Song was also released. This production was also done with the help of many Panamanian artists, and Deacon Pedro says that “even though it’s an international version, I feel it has more of a Panamanian flavour than the original version.” Watch the video above or on the official WYD 2019 YouTube channel. World Youth Day is an international event that brings together youth from around the world together with the Holy Father. It will take place in Panama, from January 22 to 27, 2019. For more information or to register as a pilgrim, visit panama2019.pa. To stay tuned to all things WYD and to follow Salt + Light's coverage, visit WYD Central.   Here is the text of the international version (for the English translation, see below):

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA

by Abdiel Jiménez

Somos peregrinos que venimos hoy aquí,

De tantos continentes e cidades

Noi saremo missionari del Signor

llevar su palabra y su mensaje.

Comme Marie a dit oui à l’ange Gabriel

anche noi chiamati al tuo progetto.

Todo céu se alegra e canta de alegria.

Let all the earth stand up and praise you

HE AQUÍ LA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR,

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA. (2)

TU SIERVA, YO SOY.

TU HIJA, YO SOY.

TU HIJO, YO SOY. (x2)

TUA SERVA EU SOU

SONO TUA FIGLIA,

YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WE ARE.

Ser como Maria, disponíveis a sair;

Igreja peregrina do Amor

As Your young disciples we will witness to the world,

with joy and faith live our vocation.

HE AQUÍ LA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR,

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA. (2)

Comme Marie se rend disponible dans l’amour,

nous serons pèlerins de l’Evangile.

Giovani discepoli testimoni,

con allegria, fede e vocazione.

HE AQUÍ LA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR,

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA. (2)

No tengan miedo, no.

No tengan miedo,

de llevar el amor de Dios.

Que votre oui soit oui, engagez vos vies avec Marie pour servir le Seigneur.

HE AQUÍ LA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR,

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA. (2)

HERE I AM, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD

SPEAK YOUR WORD IN ME AND LET YOUR WILL BE DONE.

ECCOMI, LA SERVA DEL SIGNOR,

PER ME SI COMPIA LA TUA PAROLA

ME VOICI, SERVANTE DU SEIGNEUR,

QU’IL ME SOIT FAIT SELON TA PAROLE.

EIS AQUI A SERVA DO SENHOR,

FAÇA-SE EM MIM A TUA PALAVRA.

HE AQUÍ LA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR,

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA.

HE AQUÍ, LA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR,

HÁGASE EN MÍ SEGÚN TU PALABRA.

English translation by Fr. Rob Galea:

LET YOUR WILL BE DONE

As your pilgrim people we are gathered here today

From every continent and city.

Longing to be - true servants of the Lord.

Proclaiming your Word to every nation.

Teach us to say “yes” as Mary did that day.

That your will be done here as in heaven.

Fill our hearts with songs - of joy and of gladness.

Let all the earth stand up and praise you.

Here I am, the servant of the Lord.

Speak your Word in me and let your Will be done.

Your chosen ones, we are,

sent out to do Your will.

Your sons and daughters, we are.

To be like your Mother, surrendered to Your will.

A pilgrim Church called and anointed,

as Your young disciples we’ll witness to the world,

with joy and faith live our vocation.

Here I am, the servant of the Lord.

Speak your Word in me and let your Will be done.

Do not be afraid. No, do not fear,

the Father’s arms are open.

Like Mary who said ‘yes’

and served the Lord.

Let now His will be done in you.

Here I am, the servant of the Lord.

Speak your Word in me and let your Will be done.