Rapping priest releases new CD, speaks to youth

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (CNS) - He's at it again. Father Stan Fortuna, the Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who is known as the "rapping priest," has released his latest CD in the genre.

Eighteen songs, ranging from old-school rap to world beats, make up the new release, which completes the series of rap albums he has released over the past few years. "Sacro Song 3: The Completion of the Trilogy" deals with a range of topics, from the negative effects visited on fatherless children in "Daddy Wound," and the grip of the culture of death in "Hangin' in There," to a message of peace in "Peace Shout Out," and a tribute to his beloved role model, the late Pope John Paul II, in "I'm Loving You," "The Great One" and "KW." Throughout the album, the doctrines of the Catholic Church are a consistent thread. "I continue to do rap music because it's a genre that makes the message intelligible to many young people," Father Stan said in an interview with The Catholic Standard & Times, newspaper of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. "And it even challenges people who don't like the genre, because the rap music affords the message to transcend boundaries and make an impact on the culture." The new album includes the aspiring young rappers Sean Santiago, youth director of the South Bronx Youth Cultural Center in New York founded by Father Stan, and Glenda Mortoral, who is a member of the center. Their song, "Ima Do Me," deals with their experiences growing up in the inner city of the South Bronx. The album also features the rap artist Righteous B in "Jesus Talks," and the lyrical prose of Brother Agostino Torres, also a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, in "Mezcia." "I didn't go into working on this CD saying, 'Here is what I need to touch upon.' It was very spontaneous," Father Stan said. For instance, the idea for "Daddy Wound" came to him during a conversation with another friar about the children and teens to whom they minister in the South Bronx and, specifically, about how the lack of a father figure has severely wounded those young people. He was on his way to World Youth Day 2005 in Germany and was missing the late pontiff, who had so greatly desired to make it to that youth festival, when Father Stan was inspired to write "I'm Missing You," which is his own favorite track on the album. He has dedicated the album to Pope John Paul II, writing: "This project is dedicated to none other than my hero now and (forever), the late, great Pope John Paul II. What can I say but 'Thanks JP. I'm Lovin' You,' and see you soon." During the same trip, Father Stan was impressed with Pope Benedict XVI and the current pope's clear but profound explanations of the faith. "I love his spirituality, and the way God made his brain. He's extremely clear," Father Stan said. That was also when he was inspired to write the song dedicated to Pope Benedict: "B16 Bomber." In the song, Father Stan includes excerpts of Pope Benedict's closing Mass homily from World Youth Day. All proceeds from the CD go to Francesco Productions, Father Stan's nonprofit organization, which works with the poor and needy in the South Bronx. - - - Editor's Note: More information about Father Stan Fortuna and how to purchase "Sacro Song 3" is available at www.francescoproductions.com.

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