Seeing him -- as countless millions have -- is an unforgettable experience. His presence is electric. He was born Karol Wojtyla, but since 1978 he has been known as the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He is the most travelled Pope in history, and the multitudes that greet him wherever he goes are evidence of the basic human need to connect with a power greater than oneself.
Before his ordination as a priest, he was a member of an experimental theater group, a stonecutter, and a published poet. Now, he offers the world the first music recording to embody his actual voice. Abbà Pater combines contemporary instrumental, world music and classical music tracks with spoken and sung passages (in Italian, Latin, English, French and Spanish), which are chants and prayers culled from recordings of the Pope by Radio Vatican over the 20 years of his papacy. The result is a powerful and moving marriage of music and words that touches on universal themes such as charity, forgiveness and reconciliation among all people. Abbà Pater is not just for Catholics, but for everyone interested in a new experience of the wisdom and compassion of one of the world's great spiritual leaders.
At the twentieth anniversary of his installation as Supreme Pontiff,
and as the church prepares for the Great Jubilee in the year 2000, the
Pope is reaching out to the world in new ways to offer hope for peace and
spiritual fulfillment. Abbà and pater are the Aramaic and
Latin words for "father". Abbà Pater is a poignant depiction of a
father's love that will touch and inspire listeners everywhere.
SK 61705
Out of print
Abbà Pater Music Video
RealVideo | Quicktime
More videos can be found at the Music and the Making of Abbà Pater
sections of this website
