As Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence this year, a Jesuit from the Malaysia-Singapore Region of the Society of Jesus has written a mass for the anniversary. Fr Mark Aloysius SJ wrote the Mass of Freedom with Corrine May, a Singapore singer-songwriter who is perhaps best known among Christians for her song Five Loaves and Two Fishes.

The mass will be used in the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore’s Joy SG50 Thanksgiving Mass on July 4. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was educated in Catholic High School, will be the guest-of-honour. He will be accompanied by his wife, Madam Ho Ching. Also attending is Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, an old boy of St Joseph’s Institution.

“As the mass is entitled the Mass of Freedom, its style is rather buoyant, and it’s contemporary,” said Fr Mark, who is assistant parish priest at the Jesuit parish of St Ignatius in Singapore.

“The main goal of this new mass setting is to help people at the pew pray better, especially young people. We hope that more people will feel drawn into the beautiful mystery that is our Eucharist and to celebrate with great gratitude the 50th anniversary of our independence.”