St. Thomas Artist in Residence Rev. Jan Michael Joncas’ composition “Exultate Justi” will be featured Sunday, Sept. 27 in Philadelphia for the papal Mass.

While he wasn’t told initially when his composition would play at the Mass, Joncas has since received a clearer time frame.

“It’s what’s called the entrance antiphon,” Joncas said. “They’ll be playing a whole bunch of prelude music before … but then this is technically supposed to be sung while the pope and his entourage enter.”

Joncas’ score was selected from many other potential works.

“Philadelphia did an open commission and invited composers and text writers to write a hymn for World Family Gathering Day,” Joncas said. “This is not the hymn that was commissioned by them. There is instead probably a committee that started working more than a year ago to try to figure out the music that they’re going to need for this Mass.”

As for the selection process, Joncas said he had “no idea who the people were that chose it.”

“I’d guess that it’s probably the local Philadelphia committee and then some Roman officials who would oversee the pope’s work wherever he is,” Joncas said. “They probably got together, vetted it and said this was OK.”

“Exultate Justi” was originally written in 1998 for the Diocese of Helena’s festival of faith to mark the millennium. While Joncas had the opportunity to hear the first performance of his work back then, a prior commitment will prevent him from hearing it played at the Mass.

“I wish I could go with either the (undergraduate) group or the (St. John Vianney) people or the St. Paul Seminary people but I’m tied up that weekend,” Joncas said.

Even though he is not able to make the trip, Joncas said he will be able to watch the broadcast of the Mass.

Tom Pitzen can be reached at pitz2014@stthomas.edu.