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Behold God’s Love: A Eucharistic Musical

Stream the full musical on Spotify.

Behold God's Love the musical

The McGrath Institute for Church Life announces the release Behold God’s Love: A Eucharistic Musical, the score of the three-act work written in service to the National Eucharistic Revival, created to inspire a deeper love of the Eucharist.

Composed by Carolyn Pirtle, M.M., M.S.M., M.A., program director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, Behold God’s Love invites audiences to encounter the beauty of the Eucharist through imaginative portrayals of stories from Scripture.

A Three-Act Work

World Premiere Cast Recording

I
Root

Act I recalls the Passover, the Exodus, and the miraculous manna in the desert, which has long been interpreted by Christians as a prefigurement of the Eucharistic Bread of Life. 

II
Vine

Act II highlights different meals from the ministry of Jesus, culminating in the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. 

III
Branches

Act III depicts the Apostle Paul and the Christians of Corinth as they celebrate the Eucharist together and learn what it means to become the love of Christ in the world.

Track Title List

Act I — Root❯
  1. The First Question
  2. Why Is This Night Different?
  3. On This Night We Remember (Exodus)
  4. Why?
  5. What Is It?
  6. Act I Finale: Behold God’s Love for You
Act II — Vine❯
  1. Even This Different Night Feels Different
  2. Christ the Bridegroom
  3. Christ the Wisdom of God
  4. Christ the Salvation of God
  5. Christ the Mercy of God
  6. Christ the Providence of God
  7. Even This Different Night Feels Different (Reprise) / Act II Finale: Behold God’s Love for You (Reprise)
Act III — Branches❯
  1. Now My Life Is Different
  2. On This Day We Remember (Emmaus)
  3. Christ the Bread of Life
  4. In Persona Christi / Communion
  5. Be the Light
  6. Act III Finale: Behold God’s Love for You (Reprise)

Stream the full musical

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Carolyn Pirtle

Meet the Composer

Carolyn Pirtle

M.M., M.S.M., M.A.

 

An award-winning composer, Carolyn has set the antiphons and psalms for the entire Liturgy of the Hours. She also created the nine one-act musicals performed in yearly cycles at Notre Dame Vision, and most recently, composed the full-length work Behold God’s Love: A Eucharistic Musical, written in honor of the National Eucharistic Revival and premiered in South Bend on July 6, 2024. Several of her liturgical compositions are available through World Library Publications (now part of GIA) and earthsongs.

Meet the Performers

Cast of Characters

 

Peter George Baglow

Ensemble / Cana Servant #1 / James of Alphaeus / Person of Capernaum

Marlyn Batista

Ensemble / Simon the Pharisee’s Servant #2 / Corinthian Woman #1

Mike Bogdan

Thomas / Zacchaeus / Ensemble

Claire Burks

Sarah / Ensemble / Philomena

Clyde Canfield

Benjamin / Young Boy / Ensemble

Faye Canfield

Ruth / Young Girl / Ensemble

Jeff Feathergill

Ensemble / Jude / Cleopas / Person of Capernaum #2

Susan Feathergill

Ensemble / Mary Wife of Cleopas

Fr. Gabe Griggs, C.S.C.

James of Zebedee / Paul

Pam Gunterman

Ensemble

Jen Havard

Ensemble / Mary Mother of Jesus

Robert Michael Havard

Moses / Jesus

Jackson Jones

Ensemble / Cana Bridegroom / Judas Iscariot

Jacob Koestner

Aaron / Matthew / Alexander

Chris Labadie

Pharaoh / Philip / Ensemble / Aquila

Peter Mueller

Eli / Andrew / Ensemble / Corinthian Man #1

Nick Munsen

Ethan / Nathanael / Simon the Pharisee / Ensemble

Lucy Noem

Israelite Woman #1 / Cana Servant #2 / Ensemble

Ellis Riojas

Israelite Man #2 / Simon the Canaanite / Jericho Head Pharisee / Justus

Jessica Roberts

Priscilla

Nathan Sergio

Ensemble / Cana Steward

Theresa Slott

Esther / Martha of Bethany / Ensemble

George Spohrer

Israelite Man #1 / Peter / Simon the Pharisee’s Servant #1

Jane Stapleford

Israelite Woman #2 / Mary Magdalene / Chloe

Tierney Vrdolyak

Mary of Bethany / Ensemble

Francis Vu

Ensemble / John / Lazarus of Bethany

Instrumentalists

Piano: Carolyn Pirtle

Flute: Tristan Cooley

Clarinet: Thomas Josenhans

Violin: Daniel Stein

Cello: Aubrey Breen

Percussion: Nick Munsen

Production

Audio Producer: Carolyn Pirtle

Audio Engineer: Rob Friedrich, Five / Four Productions

Album Consultant: J.J. Wright

This recording was made possible through the generous contributions of Mary Lou Durkin.

In Partnership With

 
National Eucharistic Revival Logo
Eucharistic Pilgrimage