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Archives Bringing Gospel to life in song

Feb 25, 2015

By Maeana Cragg
Contributing writer

It was less than two and a half years ago that the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles out in Gower, MO joined together praying a novena to St. Therese to ask for her help in relieving some of the debt they had inherited.  It was in the middle of that novena that they were approached by a producer for Decca records and asked to make an album. 

Benedictines of Mary, led by Potsdam native Mother Cecilia, record another album

That album was “Advent at Ephesus”, which quickly shot to the top of the traditional classical chart as well as becoming one of the top sellers on Amazon, all without most of the sisters even knowing.  They simply shared the music that they sang on a daily basis with the world, and the world loved it.

Although a lovely story, you may be wondering what the connection is to our own Diocese of Ogdensburg.  The prioress of the convent, Mother Cecilia, was born and raised in Potsdam.

In this, the Year of Consecrated Life, it seems especially appropriate to recognize this beautiful vocation from our diocese.  Before she listened to God’s call in her own life, she was a professional musician, a French Hornist in the Columbus Symphony.

Many were horrified when she joined the Benedictines, a semi-cloistered, fully habited community.  How could she cast her talents into a hole, never to be heard again?  Instead, when she gave everything she had to God, he used her in ways that she had never imagined. 

After that first album, there came a second, “Lent at Ephesus”, and then a third, “Angels and Saints at Ephesus”.  Every single one made it to the top of the charts.  There were specials about the sisters on  PBS and EWTN.  She was interviewed by NPR and CBS Sunday morning, where she showed the secular world how much pure joy there was to be found in a religious vocation. 

Catholics and non-Catholics alike listened to and loved these heavenly voices singing Latin chants and hymns of praise.  And though, as she said in one of her interviews, “I don’t care about selling albums, I care about saving souls”, St. Therese did manage to answer the sisters’ first novena beautifully.  In well under three years, they managed to pay off the two million dollar debt hanging over them. 

The sisters love to sing.  It is a major part of what they do every day.  However, there is no audition.  Many of the young women were never singers of any kind before they joined the Benedictines.  Instead, they were called to give themselves entirely to Christ, and Christ helped join them into one beautiful instrument giving praise to Him.

Interestingly, the sisters’ main work is not singing, but creating beautiful vestments for priests.  Each one is handmade, and each comes with hours of prayers attached for the priest who will be wearing it.

The sisters also milk their own cow, getting not only fresh milk to drink, but butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.  They grow many of their own fruits and vegetables and collect eggs from their own chickens.  The most important parts of their day, though, are spent in prayer. 

Through God’s grace, though the three albums are internationally acclaimed, almost nothing has changed about the sisters and their daily life. 

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, will soon be coming out with a fourth album, “Easter at Ephesus”.  Although the release date is not until March 3rd, the album is available to pre-order now.

Though their debt has been paid in full, they have a new, though delightful, problem.  There are too many new sisters joining and there are no longer enough rooms in the convent to hold them all. 

Mother Cecilia has no intention of ever being in debt again, but has plans to expand the convent and build a eastersecond building to house the priests who come to stay on retreat.   Any support given, whether in purchase, donation, or simply prayer, is much appreciated.

Those interested in buying the newest album, “Easter at Ephesus”, or any of the others, may purchase them at Benedictinesofmary.org as well as at any of the major retailers like amazon.com.  Those interested in a vocation with the Benedictines may contact the novice mistress at the convent.  No matter what, know that Mother Cecilia has her home diocese constantly in her prayers. We are truly blessed to have nurtured this vocation in our diocese, and pray, in this Year of Consecrated Life, to nurture many more. 

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