{"id":95646,"date":"2024-04-07T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldcatholicnews.com\/university-of-mary-student-choir-celebrates-eucharistic-revival\/"},"modified":"2024-04-07T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T10:00:00","slug":"university-of-mary-student-choir-celebrates-eucharistic-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldcatholicnews.com\/university-of-mary-student-choir-celebrates-eucharistic-revival\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Mary student choir celebrates Eucharistic Revival\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

But the music also benefits the students\u2019 \u201cspiritual formation,\u201d Raber explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked about how Cappella has affected his faith, one student, junior Marshall Milless, a communications major from Minnesota, said that singing in Capella has \u201ccompletely transformed\u201d his faith.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt elevates my prayer in a way beyond my understanding,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019ve read and heard the Scriptures and prayers in our music, but when singing them, it provides a completely transformative experience, where the Scriptures and prayers become so much more tangible and real.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rebecca Raber directs Capella at Toulouse, France, home of the tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas. Credit: Photo courtesy of Rebecca Raber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I am the one who needed the Eucharistic Revival\u2019\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Cappella\u2019s Eucharistic project is part of a larger Newman Task Force for Eucharistic Education, a group that is promoting Eucharistic Revival projects in schools and universities across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year initiative by the U.S. bishops that aims to inspire, educate, and unite the faithful in a more intimate relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. The revival culminates this year in four national pilgrimages followed by the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Curstin Larson, a UMary junior studying sacred music, said that at first, she thought the Eucharistic Revival was \u201cexactly what the Church needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first heard about the Eucharistic Revival, I was very excited,\u201d she said. \u201cAll of the people who don\u2019t believe in the True Presence, all of the \u2018nones,\u2019 all of the lukewarm Catholics \u2014 this is the answer to their conversion!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking back, I am embarrassed by those thoughts,\u201d she continued. \u201cThrough Cappella\u2019s work with the Eucharistic Revival \u2026 I\u2019ve come to see that I had it all wrong. I <\/em>am the one who needed the Eucharistic Revival. I<\/em> am the one who needed to love the Eucharist more, to receive him more attentively, to adore him more fervently.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larson said she believes Cappella has \u201can irreplaceable role\u201d in the Eucharistic Revival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Story continues below)<\/b><\/p>\n

Subscribe to our daily newsletter<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing in Cappella is so much more than singing pretty music; it\u2019s a ministry,\u201d Milless noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of hard work and sacrifice that goes into being a choir like this, but all the hard work pays off whenever I catch a glimpse of\u00a0somebody moved by the beauty of our music,\u201d Milless said. \u201cMy heart becomes filled with joy, and sometimes I can\u2019t hold the tears back!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Milless recalled \u201ccountless times\u201d where people have approached him to say that Cappella\u2019s music helped them pray.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve told me how\u00a0the music consoled them in a time when they were feeling lost and unsure,\u201d he said. \u201cThis music has helped give me a great sense of hope in my personal prayer life when I\u2019ve felt lost and uncertain about my faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dominic Plummer, a junior from Georgia studying business administration\/banking and finance at University of Mary, noted that he has \u201ca unique opportunity\u201d to glorify God during Mass because of Cappella.<\/p>\n

\"Cappella
Cappella sings \u201cO Sacrum Convivium\u201d at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo, North Dakota. Credit: Photo courtesy of Rebecca Raber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n