A young monastic order of nuns in the United States has for the second time released an album that has debuted in the top position on Billboard magazine’s classical traditional music chart.

“This is an unprecedented accomplishment for … 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 of De Montfort Music, which produced the album.

Titled Angels and Saints at Ephesus, the album topped a group of classical albums that includes Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album and Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection.

The order of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles was founded in 1995 in Pennsylvania, but in 2006 moved to the diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph at the invitation of Bishop Robert Finn.

The sisters sing together eight times a day, chanting the Divine Office in Latin.

The prioress, Mother Cecilia, who also arranged the songs on the album, gave up her position in the horn section of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Ohio, to enter religious life.

The sisters’ latest album, recorded at their priory, features 17 English and Latin pieces sung a cappella. Their harmonies were described a Washington Times reviewer as “an oasis of serenity in a dissonant world”.

Last year the sisters’ previous release, entitled Advent at Ephesus, spent five weeks in the top position on Billboard’s classical traditional chart, making them the highest-selling traditional classical artist or group for 2012.



Sources:

Religion News Service

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Decca Records

Image: Catholic World Report

News category: World.