Mater Eucharistiae is a collection of 15 devotional hymns in honor of the Virgin Mary, sung by the
Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, whose name inspired the Latin title. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the community responds to the call of
Pope John Paul II for evangelization through their traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, but they also find a special purpose in performing sacred music. Their evenly blended voices are well suited to these quiet, contemplative selections, whether in a cappella Gregorian chants or in harmonized arrangements with organ accompaniment and trumpet obbligato. The vocals are quite transparent and bright, though the highly resonant acoustics in the church of the order's mother house lend an ethereal quality to the singing. While this CD is of primary interest to Roman Catholic listeners, others may find its soothing tones appropriate for prayer and meditation.