Timely New CDs for Advent and Adoration Uplift Listeners with Sacred Music

Monks of Clear Creek Abbey. Rorate Coeli: Marian Sounds of Advent. Manchester, NH: Sophia Music Group, 2022. CD-Audio $16.99. Available from the publisher.

Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Adoration from Carmel: Eucharistic Hymns. Manchester, NH: Sophia Music Group, 2022. CD-Audio $16.99. Available from the publisher.

Sophia Music Group released two new albums of heavenly music: Rorate Coeli: Marian Sounds of Advent from the Monks of Clear Creek Abbey and Adoration from Carmel: Eucharistic Hymns from the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.

Raymond Arroyo, bestselling author and award-winning broadcast journalist, commented about Rorate Coeli: “As the Advent and Christmas seasons approach, what better way to prepare than beautiful sacred music. You can certainly hear the beauty of what’s being sung and the music and the devotion behind it.”

On this album, the monks express their Marian prayers through Gregorian chant and polyphonic sacred choral music. The Latin liturgical lyrics are available in English and French in the accompanying booklet, which also includes musical commentaries about the selections.

In her “Catholic Mom” review, Kate Taliaferro wrote: “Though Advent isn’t upon us yet, I am already making plans to be listening to the Rorate Cœli CD as part of our daily drive to school. My kids and I have listened through it as I prepared to write this review and there is a definite difference in the overall tone of the car from when we listened to chant and when we did not. Adding chant to our usual day may become a permanent thing. I will definitely be looking to the monks at Clear Creek for more peaceful and thoughtful chants to expand our collection.”

This tranquil music will bring the light of Advent and Christmas to hearts and homes.

Similar praise exuded about the Carmelite Sisters latest recording. Reviewers said Adoration from Carmel is “soothing, calming, and uplifting.” “The sacredness lifts your heart to God.” “It will help draw souls closer to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.”

The Sisters album was produced-engineered by Brad Michel, winner of multiple Grammy and Gramophone awards. He said of the recording, “What makes a performance of music truly sound good is a cohesive spirit, which is deeply evident with this group, they have the willing ability to listen and work together…so that the sound of the music is like silk. Even if you're just listening through a TV soundbar at home or on headphones traveling, the recording is compatible with Apple Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos so that you can get that immersive effect."

The beautiful singing and repertoire of the sisters features sixteen tracks of both a capella and a seven-piece chamber ensemble.

The Wall Street Journal said that their music is “sung with unalloyed joy and a sweetness–rare traits these days, not only in popular music but also in the culture at large.”

J-P Mauro, award-winning writer and musician/songwriter, reflected: “The music is marked by a vocal unity that can only be achieved through regular practice as a choir. Through expert use of dynamics and phrasing, these Carmelites display a clear and devoted attention to every little detail in their recordings.” He enthused, “The sublime joy they take from their faith beams into their music.”

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a copy of Rorate Coeli: Marian Sounds of Advent or Adoration from Carmel: Eucharistic Hymns, and/or to schedule an interview.