An inspiring new song about Fatima’s Marian apparitions will be performed at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The text and music Brighter than the Sun were written by German priest Fr. Thomas de Beyer. The singer Darija Ramljak is well known in Croatia, where she lives in Medugorje. Darija, 22, became known in 2019, when she took part in the contest “The Voice Croatia” and made it to the semifinals.
When the location of the next World Youth Day was announced, the Marian apparitions nearby in Fatima, Portugal came to mind for Fr. Thomas. He works with the congregation of the Immaculata Sisters in Germany, and in 2020 he published the “Missa Lucis” and the pro-life song “Welcome on Earth”.
The new Brighter than the Sun reflects on the first moment of the encounter between three children and Mary, the Mother of God.
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I asked composer Fr. de Beyer about the new music.
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Patty: How did Fatima come to your mind as a topic for a song?
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Fr. Thomas: By the announcement of the World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, next door to Fatima. I felt like we have to grasp that theme, especially for young people, because they live in a mainly materialistic environment. Many of them probably got used to a doctrine saying we need science instead of God and it would be clever to live without the church. Fatima shows us, that God exists and that he is not apathetic. On the contrary, heaven is highly interested in everyone’s life and salvation. Our Lady turned to the children in an attitude of motherly love of such intensity, that at certain moments they were overwhelmed by the love, that flew from the heart of Mary. We all need the light of faith that connects us with the source of life and leads us on a good path.
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Patty: Since you never studied music, how did the production proceed?
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Fr. Thomas: It was one of the most challenging things I did in my entire life. To me working on an orchestral score was quite daring. We produced the song three times but in the end, I was not convinced of it. Just a day later two friends of mine, whom I consider to be true followers of Christ, told me: “Go ahead, we need this song!” I still don’t know why they were so sure about that. Anyway, the next day I resumed with intense prayer and completely new harmonies emerged. Following an intuition, I sent an email to “Radio Mir” in Medjugorje and got in contact with an excellent young singer, Darija Ramljak – and here we are.
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On May 13th, 1917, outside the Portuguese village of Fatima, close to Lisbon, children Lucia and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta looked after a flock of sheep. Suddenly bright shining lady of indescribable beauty came into sight, floating above a small oak tree.
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On October 13th that year, a crowd of approximately 70.000 people was present when the visionaries fell on their knees, obviously communicating with a person no one else could see. As the heavenly lady promised before, a visible miracle occurred. The sun started shining in different colors and it seemed to rotate and literally move towards the earth. At this moment several physical healings took place, as later the newspapers reported all over the country.
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The dialog between Mary and Lucia contained messages about the decision every human being should make, to follow God’s plans in order to live a peaceful life and reach heaven. A prophecy was given about the persecution of the church and even the assassination of the pope. Mary encouraged the children to pray and sacrifice for the salvation of souls. She comforted the young visionaries: “In the end, my immaculate heart will triumph.”
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Fr. Thomas hopes the song “is a glimpse of heavenly beauty and joy”.
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You can listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.
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