World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) organisers have released the score to Our Lady of the Southern Cross, the hymn that will be sung before His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Evening Vigil on Saturday 19 July.

The score for Our Lady of the Southern Cross is available on the WYD08 website: www.wyd2008.org/wydmass

The score will allow Australian parishes to rehearse the hymn in preparation for the Evening Vigil at Randwick Racecourse.

The Evening Vigil is a key component of the WYD08 week of events with around 225,000 pilgrims expected to gather before the Pope for prayerful worship and spiritual reflection, followed by a "sleep-out" under the stars.

"Our Lady of the Southern Cross is the Marian hymn for World Youth Day 2008 and we hope parishes around the globe will take the time to become familiar with the song over the coming months," said Fr Peter Williams, WYD08 Director of Liturgy.

"The hymn is an original composition and it will be a beautiful and deeply moving moment when hundreds of thousands of voices unite to sing the hymn by candlelight before the Holy Father in July," he said.

Parishes are able to reproduce the score for teaching purposes and performance within a parish.

Congregational parts in the score are identical to those that will be performed by the choir at the WYD08 Evening Vigil.

The music was composed by Rev. Geoffrey Abdallah, Dean of St Maroun's Maronite Cathedral in Redfern, Sydney. The text was written by Sr Pauline Smith RSM.

The Evening Vigil at WYD08 will help pilgrims prepare themselves spiritually for the Pope's return the following morning to celebrate the Final Mass, expected to draw up to 500,000 people.

Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15 - 20 July this year. Hosted by the Catholic Church, but open to all, the event will also mark the first visit to Australia by the Pope.

Only 83 days to go to WYD08!