World Premiere of “Ecce Panis” Honors Canonization of Carlo Acutis at University of Mary
Composed by Dr. Rebecca Raber with Cappella students, the Eucharistic motet debuted recently at evening Mass — as Cappella releases its first album, Abide in Me: Eucharistic Music for Revival, now available on all major music platforms.
BISMARCK, N.D. — The University of Mary’s nationally renowned chapel choir, Cappella, recently gave the world premiere of “Ecce Panis” in Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, in honor of the canonization of Carlo Acutis earlier that same day in Rome. The new composition, written by Cappella Director Dr. Rebecca Raber with input from her students, offered a musical tribute to the Church’s newest saint, whose devotion to the Eucharist continues to inspire young Catholics worldwide.
A full video of the “Ecce Panis” premiere performance can be watched on umary.edu/Cappella.
A Work Born of a Canonization
Raber said the inspiration for “Ecce Panis” came swiftly once the Vatican announced Acutis would be canonized on September 7, 2025 — the very first Sunday of the school year on campus.
“I was fairly certain that there wasn’t any repertoire written yet to celebrate this newest saint, so I decided to write something myself,” Raber explained.
As the liturgical choir of the University of Mary, Cappella was the natural ensemble to bring the piece to life. But more than that, Raber noted, her unique relationship with the singers allowed her to compose directly for their strengths.
“When you have that unique relationship as the conductor, also as composer, magical things can happen,” Raber said. “I know exactly what they can do, what kinds of pieces they love to sing, and it’s a joy to be able to write for such capable and expressive singers.”
Blending Aquinas and Acutis
Central to “Ecce Panis” is its text, drawn from both the ancient tradition of the Church and the modern witness of Acutis. Raber worked with Cappella tenor Aidan Koop, who helped connect the saint’s famous line — “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven” — with a beloved Eucharistic hymn text by St. Thomas Aquinas, Ecce panis angelorum (“Behold the bread of angels, made food for travelers”).
“This was a fantastic idea to connect with the text from Carlo,” Raber said, noting that she also added the invocation, “Pray for us, all saints of God,” to tie the composition together.
Koop, a senior double major in finance and music from Ham Lake, Minnesota, called it an unforgettable experience to have contributed to the work.
“Carlo Acutis is a favorite saint of mine, so I know his quotes well,” Koop said. “When Dr. Raber asked for help creating a text, I immediately thought of Ecce panis angelorum. I made an immediate connection between ‘travelers’ and ‘highway,’ as well as ‘children’ since Carlo died so young himself. Hearing it sung for the first time, an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction came over me. Dr. Raber’s musical genius totally brings to life the pairing of these texts, and it means the world to me to know that I contributed to this magnificent piece.”
A Sound That Points to Heaven
Musically, “Ecce Panis” moves through three distinct sections: a humble plea to the saints of God, a moment of wonder at beholding the Bread of Angels, and finally, Acutis’ exclamation of the Eucharist as the “highway to heaven.”
Raber said her favorite passage is the climactic repetition of “the Eucharist,” sung with intensity before the choir rises higher on the word cielo (heaven). Instead of ending abruptly, Raber asked a trio of soprano voices to sustain the final chord longer than the rest of the choir — symbolizing eternity.
“It’s our way of glimpsing a taste of eternity through our reception of Jesus in the Eucharist,” Raber said. “We know that the Holy Spirit is present and will help listeners understand the beauty of the moment and of the words.”
For senior soprano Marella Grace Balahadia Santiago of Bremerton, Washington, that moment was both daunting and awe-inspiring.
“It is both an honor and a daunting responsibility to sing a solo in the premiere of a piece like this, to emulate something so divine and represent Christ and heaven to the people,” Santiago said. “Toward the end, proclaiming cielo — heaven — brings me a breath of comfort that hopefully one day we will be there with Him forever. What a joy in that reminder of what waits for us: eternal life with God.”
Preparing Through Prayer and Boot Camp
Cappella prepared the piece during its annual 10-day retreat, affectionately called “boot camp” by the students. Raber even tested the motet during Masses early in the retreat before the official premiere.
“The students are so smart and did such quick work to get it ready,” Raber said. “They did a wonderful job. From the outset, they understood the music and the mission and were moving me to tears.”
For Koop, the chance to sing a world premiere tied to a canonization was spiritually transformative.
“Spiritually, it has allowed me to pray with this piece as I sing it much differently,” Koop said. “I just know that Carlo Acutis is smiling at us from heaven as we celebrate his life.”
A Saint’s Legacy in Song
Raber said she hopes “Ecce Panis” will not only honor Acutis but also deepen love for the Eucharist among all who hear it.
“We’ve already had inquiries from people who have heard the music,” said Raber. “We hope that listeners will understand the beauty of Carlo’s love for the Eucharist in a special way and perhaps sense our love — and their own love — for the Eucharist by the way that we sing his words.”
The piece will be performed again throughout the academic year, recorded, and published for wider use in churches and schools.
“The Catholic Church has a beautiful tradition of involving the entire person in worship,” Raber added. “As we hear sacred text set to music, we can’t help but be transported interiorly to a place where we can abide with our Creator as He abides with us.”
A Gift for the Church
In just five years, Cappella has established itself as one of the premier Catholic collegiate choirs in the country. With “Ecce Panis,” the ensemble has now added an original composition to the Church’s musical treasury, born of collaboration between director and students, and offered as a gift to the faithful.
“Sacred music is a long-standing tradition in our Catholic faith, and now we add yet another treasure to bring souls to God and praise Him,” Raber said. “It’s my hope that people will hear this and intrinsically understand that there is something more here, something truly special.”
On the very day the Church proclaimed Carlo Acutis a saint, his words were carried heavenward in song at the University of Mary.
“Ecce Panis” is also featured on Cappella’s newly released first album, Abide in Me: Eucharistic Music for Revival, which is now available on most music platforms and available on CD at the campus bookstore. More details about the album, Cappella, recordings, sheet music, February 15, 2026, audition deadline, and contact information for Dr. Raber are available at umary.edu/Cappella.
Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or online.umary.edu, or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 20 recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and Universities in the US.
About the University of Mary: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.
A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers nearly 60 bachelor’s, 15 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 20-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of 18 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sanctioned sports, one men’s hockey team that is a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and a co-ed clay shooting team that competes in the USA College Clay Target League. With more than 3,900 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.