Thoughts on the “Hymn” for the Year of Mercy?

FRIEND OF MINE posted a link about the Holy Year of Mercy on my Facebook yesterday. The Vatican just released the official hymn for the Year of Mercy on August 6. Misericordes sicut Pater by English composer Paul Inwood was chosen by a committee. Inwood and 89 other composers around the world participated in the competition sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

The name of the piece, Misericordes sicut Pater, is from Luke 6:36. It is also the motto for the Jubilee: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. The text was written by Jesuit Father Eugenio Costa. The piece has been released in Italian, French and English, with the refrains and antiphons in Latin. The full English score can be found here. This is the official English text from the Vatican website:

Misericordes sicut Pater! Misericordes sicut Pater!

1. Give thanks to the Father, for He is good in aeternum misericordia eius
He created the world with wisdom in aeternum misericordia eius
He leads His people throughout history in aeternum misericordia eius
He pardons and welcomes His children in aeternum misericordia eius

2. Give thanks to the Son, Light of the Nations in aeternum misericordia eius
He loved us with a heart of flesh in aeternum misericordia eius
As we receive from Him, let us also give to Him in aeternum misericordia eius
Hearts open to those who hunger and thirst in aeternum misericordia eius

Misericordes sicut Pater! Misericordes sicut Pater!

3. Let us ask the Spirit for the seven holy gifts in aeternum misericordia eius
Fount of all goodness and the sweetest relief in aeternum misericordia eius
Comforted by Him, let us offer comfort in aeternum misericordia eius
Love hopes and bears all things in aeternum misericordia eius

4. Let us ask for peace from the God of all peace in aeternum misericordia eius
The earth waits for the Good News of the Kingdom in aeternum misericordia eius
Joy and pardon in the hearts of the little ones in aeternum misericordia eius
The heavens and the earth will be renewed in aeternum misericordia eius

Misericordes sicut Pater! Misericordes sicut Pater!

HERE IS ONE THING I don’t quite understand: why is this piece an “official hymn”? Why can’t it be an “official song”? This song is really not a hymn! It is a Litany! I would have to admit that this piece is the best one I have heard by Inwood. And this Litany is definitely more dignified and worthy for the Liturgy than Center of My Life. But it is still not my favorite. What do you think?

I do think the Sistine Chapel Choir sounds much better than a few years ago.