New York – Benedictines of Mary return with their contemplative, strikingly beautiful and spiritually uplifting new recording, Easter at Ephesus, to be released March 3, 2015 on De Montfort Music/Decca. The 27-track album features a seasonal array of glorious chants and exhilarating hymns for Eastertide with the unearthly and highly acclaimed voices of the nuns that have inspired audiences throughout the world. Easter at Ephesus marks their fourth major release, following their chart-topping albums Advent at Ephesus, Angels and Saints at Ephesus and Lent at Ephesus, which crowned Billboard’s Top Traditional Classical Albums for 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

The Benedictines of Mary were also named Billboard’s Top Traditional Classical Album Artist of 2014, for the third year in a row. De Montfort Music, AimHigher Recordings and the Benedictines of Mary also accounted for three of the Top 5 Traditional Classical Album Imprints of last year, further evidence of their resonance with consumers across America and a welcome antidote to today’s more gimmick oriented pop stars.

The Sisters have received accolades from CBS Sunday Morning, AP, EWTN, NPR, Rome Reports, Wall Street Journal, CatholicTV, Vatican Radio, Good Morning America, USA Today, Salt & Light and beyond.

Watch the new EPK trailer for Easter at Ephesus

Highlights from Easter At Ephesus include well known hymns with signature new arrangements of: “The Clouds of Night,” “Jesus Christ is Ris’n Today,” “This is the Day,” as well as exquisite artistic gems: “Alle Psallite Cum Luya” and “Oculus Non Vidit.” The Sisters once again provide selections serving to bring hearts closer to the season as they accompany the listener from Easter through Pentecost with angelic renditions of “Ascendit Deus” with text from Offertory of Ascension Thursday, as well as tracks such as Ravanello’s “Pascha Nostrum” from the Communion Verse for Easter Sunday Mass. The Sisters also included Palestrina selections as well as their own original compositions such as the hauntingly beautiful “Queen of Priests.”

Easter at Ephesus was produced by 11 time Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder.

The album features a 12-page booklet with original artwork and all the lyrics in English (Latin songs are translated in English, as well). The booklet also will be available digitally with the album on iTunes. For pre-order and additional information: www.DeMontfortMusic.com

About the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles
Founded in 1995, The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, are a young, contemplative order of Sisters. The Sisters are extremely musical. They do not set foot beyond their Midwest rolling farmland, focusing solely on a monastic life. Working on their farm and mostly living off the land, they sing together eight times a day as part of their daily Divine Office, lifting their hearts to their Beloved through music. Offering their lives in prayer and sacrifice for priests, The Benedictines of Mary use the work of their hands primarily for the making of priestly vestments. They also take care of gardens, an orchard and a small farm. Additionally, they paint gorgeous icons and live an artistic lifestyle based upon their religious vows. Leaving behind their families, bank accounts, and all of their possessions, these women live together in community following closely the Rule of St. Benedict, known for it’s standard of “ora et labora” (work and pray).

About De Montfort Music
De Montfort Music is a division of AimHigher Entertainment – both founded by music-industry veterans Kevin and Monica Fitzgibbons. Its special mission is to sign, develop, produce and bring to market the very best in Sacred Music. The label is an ambassador of the true and the beautiful. The Benedictines of Mary are signed to De Montfort Music, which is distributed worldwide through Decca/Universal Classics.

About DECCA/Universal Classics
Decca/Universal Classics is part of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music content company with market-leading positions in recorded music, music publishing, and merchandising.

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