From a facebook update, we find one of thousands of such stories about Mary Berry, evangelist for chant and the great bridge between the Second Vatican Council and today’s revival of chant the world over (every schola in Eastern Europe today owes its existence to her efforts, for example):
In about 1993 I, and a friend from my choral group, Ecclesia Consort, picked Sister Mary up at Community of Jesus and drove her to Providence Rhode Island’s Blessed sacrament Church where she gave Ecclesia a brief 2-hour lecture on Gregorian Chant personally. it was one of life’s most amazing things. We then drove her to Boston’s Logan and I asked her her favorite chant, which she proceeded to sing gently in a very crowded terminal. She began the Alma Redemptoris Mater with head bowed. She began despite the cacophony around her. When she got about half through, the room was completely silent…no lie. It was a transforming moment for me and one I hold dear forever. She was first a loving nun and woman of faith, and second a dedicated and passionate intructor of the Chant. I felt as if she was placing a mantle upon us that afternoon. We have continued to sing the Chant in every service since. Not like Community of Jesus, but we still sing it with love and joy.
Here she is conducting Puer Natus
Heart-stoppingly beautiful.
I am honestly beginning to feel that missing the opportunity to study Gregorian chant with Mary Berry is one of the most unfortunate parts of my musical life. I came to the chant too late.
This recording of Puer natus is perhaps one of the most beautiful interpretations I have ever heard.
Mary Berry is one of the great treasures of 20th century church music: she was brilliant, determined, a great and devout teacher. Truly an excellent woman. The more I learn about her, the more grateful I am for her work.