PORTLAND, Ore. — Written by OCP composers, Estela García-López and Rodolfo López, Rise Up! ¡Levántate! has been chosen as the theme song for the 2018 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. With 40,000 in attendance, the Religious Education Congress, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education, is the nation’s largest annual gathering of Roman Catholics. With Rise Up! ¡Levántate!, Estela and Rodolfo capture the essence of the readings about the rising of Lazarus (readings for the fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A) in an inspiring, uplifting song of hope. The recording of the song also includes talented musicians from across the country, including Latin Grammy winners.
“OCP is proud to provide the theme song for this year’s event,” explains OCP publisher Wade Wisler. “There’s so much fear and division in the world. Estela and Rodolfo have composed a bilingual song that unites us and invites us to rise up — from fear, sin, and despair — and put our hope in Christ and His resurrection. That’s a message we all need to hear — and to proclaim in song.”
“It is an honor for us to have been asked to write the 2018 LA Congress Theme Song, Rise Up! ¡Levántate!,” Estela explains, “This year’s theme song is based on the rising of Lazarus, one of our favorite gospel stories, because it brings so much hope. Lazarus represents all humanity, for all those Jesus loves and wants to liberate from the tomb of sin and death, as long as we believe like Mary and Martha did. If we believe, we will see the Glory of God.” Rodolfo continues, “The style of the piece is energetic and engaging, and it is our hope that you feel inspired to allow God to transform you during this Lenten Season and that it brings you closer to his loving embrace. We invite you to Rise Up! ¡Levántate!”
To listen and download the song, visit ocp.org/Rise-Up-Levantate.
For more information on Estela: ocp.org/EstelaGarcía-López or Rodolfo: ocp.org/rodolfo-lópez.
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About OCP
OCP, a not-for-profit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources based in Portland, Oregon, has been in operation for nearly 100 years. Worship programs produced by OCP are used in over two-thirds of Catholic churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide. Find OCP on Facebook at Facebook.com/OCPmusic.
