CD review: BENEDICTA - Marian Chant from Norcia

Norcia is a lovely small walled city in Umbria; many of its buildings are churches, some with exquisite wall paintings among the ruins - the city has suffered from the many earthquakes of the region. But it has so many churches because it was the birthplace of Ss Scholastica and her brother Benedict, the founder of monasticism. His Rule has guided prayer-life for millions in the nearly two millennia since it was written in the mid 4th century AD.

There is a thriving Benedictine monastery in Norcia, and the monks have produced a CD of Gregorian chant, which they offer to us as a beautiful experience of prayer. St Augustine said: "he who sings, prays twice". Listen to this CD, and you will understand that saying; rising and falling sequences, words and music, unaccompanied, unblemished, simple, calming. The words are a meditation on the life of the person closest to Our Lord - his mother Mary. The CD's title "Benedicta" is taken from the Annunciation greeting.

The CD is a must for Gregorian chant aficionados; for others who might want something to lead them into prayer, this is perfect. Within the CD's book of words, which sets out what is sung, in Latin and in an English and Italian translation, there is an invitation to us all from the community to "come visit us, and experience our life of prayer".

The CD is available from all good music outlets.

Watch a short film of the monks here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTQTFW1Gdbs