Have you ordered a copy of Angels and Saints at Ephesus yet? I’ve been listening to it all week, since my husband gave me my own copy for Mother’s Day! Please consider purchasing a copy (it makes an excellent gift for family, friends, and even to give to teachers as the school year ends!) or sharing the link. Let’s help keep them at the top of the charts!
Atlanta, GA, May 15, 2013 – ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Classical Traditional Music Chart. The album also earned the No. 2 spot on Billboard’s new-artist “Heatseekers” chart, which encompasses all music genres.
ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS topped a group of classical albums that includes Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album and Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection.
“This is an unprecedented accomplishment for an artist, a group of Contemplative Nuns, this devoted, hidden prayerful group who do not tour and remain close to their Benedictine Rule of Life,” said Monica Fitzgibbons, co-founder of De Montfort Music. “We wish to thank all of those who have generously taken the time to help shine the spotlight on this incredible music. The Sisters also thank all those who have come out and supported this music. This generosity has allowed the Sisters to maintain their hidden life of prayer and sacrifice for Priests and for the whole world. We thank you in advance for continuing to help spread the word about this most important heavenly masterpiece.”
De Montfort enlisted nine-time International Grammy® winning producer Christopher Alder, who hails from Germany and two-time Grammy® winning engineer Mark Donahue to record and capture the Sisters in their contemplative environment singing all of ANGELS AND SAINTS AT EPHESUS.
“The Benedictines of Mary have again created a beautiful recording to connect us to the oldest traditions of European monastic chant and hymns,” remarked Costa Pilavachi, Senior Vice-President, Classical A+R Universal Music Group International.
The full track list for the album:
1. O God of Loveliness
2. Te Joseph Celebrent
3. Christe Sanctorum
4. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
5. Duo Seraphim
6. Veritas Mea
7. Jesu Dulcis Memoria
8. Lorica of St. Patrick
9. Est Secretum
10. Virgin Wholly Marvellous
11. Laeta Quies
12. Ave Regina Caelorum
13. A Rose Unpetalled
14. Emicat Meridies
15. O Deus Ego Amo Te
16. Jesu Corona Virginum
17. Dear Angel Ever at My SideThe album was released May 7, and a 30-minute special on the making of the album began airing on EWTN the week of May 5.
This is the second album from the Benedictines of Mary that has reached No. 1 on Billboard Magazine’s Classical Traditional Music Chart. Last November and December, the Sisters’ debut album, ADVENT AT EPHESUS, with De Montfort Music/Decca, spent six weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Music Chart, and the Sisters ended up as the #1 Classical Traditional Artist of 2012, according to Nielson’s Soundscan.
ADVENT AT EPHESUS rejoined Billboard magazine’s Classical Traditional Music Chart this week, coming in at No. 15.
About the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles
Founded in 1995, The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, are a young, monastic order of Sisters. The Sisters sing together eight times a day as they chant the Divine Office in Latin.
I love all the songs on the CD! O God of Loveliness is a Poem composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori, Te Joseph Celebrent is the Vespers Hymn to St. Joseph, Spouse of Our Lady, from his feast on March 19th. Christe, Sanctorum is the Lauds Hymn for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel on September 29th. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is the Greek Seraphic hymn in honor of the Holy Eucharist. The lyrics of Duo Seraphim are chanted in the 12th Responsory for Sunday Matins. Veritas Mea is the offertory chanted on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Jesu Dulcis Memoria is a hymn written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Lorica of St. Patrick is an excerpt from St. Patrick’s famous “breastplate.” Est Secretum‘s lyrics are words of the Virgin Martyr St. Cecilia (patron of musicians) to her husband, St. Valerian, chanted at first Vespers of her feast on November 22nd. Virgin Wholly Marvelous is a marian hymn by St. Ephraem the Syrian. Laeta Quies is chanted at Mass on the feasts of the death and translation of the relics of St. Benedict, founder and Father of the Benedictine Order. Ave Regina Caelorum‘s lyrics are taken from the Compline antiphon of Our Lady of the Angels, chanted between the Purification (February 2nd) and Easter. A Rose Unpetalled (one of my favorites!) is a poem of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, set to original music. Emicat Meridies is chanted at Mass on the feast of St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict and Mother of Benedictine Nuns. O Deus Ego Amo Te (you can listen to it below) is taken from a prayer written by the missionary St. Francis Xavier. Jesu Corona Virginum is the vespers hymn of the Virgin Martyr St. Agnes, whose feast is January 21st. And Dear Angel Ever at My Side (another favorite of mine) is to the Guardian Angels, sung on their feast on October 2nd. Every song is simply beautiful and inspiring!
So beautiful!
Yes! I pre-ordered mine, and got it just in time for Mother's Day (a little present to myself is OK, right?). It really is absolutely beautiful. Besides just being such high quality, I just love how lacking in any kind of "show" it is. It's just these beautiful sisters doing what they do – praising the Lord in song from their hearts. I often listen to Catholic choral music (I really like streaming Our Lady of Walsingham radio), but this is something different – it truly fills me with peace every time I play it. Everyone really should get a copy!!
This is definitely a beautiful CD from a beautiful order of nuns. To help and support them the most, it is best to order directly from their website (rather than Amazon) so they get all of the funds. http://www.benedictinesofmary.org
In Domino,
l.b.
I gave a copy to my mom and my husband's mom for Mother's day. My husband's mom played it this week for his dad, on his deathbed. I can't think of anything better to listen to. Thank you, Jessica, for leading me to it.
I had bought their Advent one and absolutely loved it. So today we were sitting down to discuss music for our tea party and I remember hearing that this one had been released. I immediately went to Amazon and downloaded it. It's going to be perfect for our tea!!
They are alos running a special for Pentecost on their website that if you order 1 or more cds you get a free cd.
That is great! Thanks for sharing! The special wasn't available when I originally added this post and included the link to their website. Here are the details for all those who are interested along with another hyperlink directly to the purchase page:
PENTECOST SPECIAL
from now until midnight(CDT) of Sunday, May 19, 2013
Buy 1 or more Angels and Saints at Ephesus CD(s),
get 1 additional copy FREE
It hadn't been released yet, when we had our tea party this year, but what an excellent idea! I'll have to remember that for next year, it is perfect!
Your family remains in our prayers, Barbara! {hugs}