Why Should Our Parish Have an Organ?
Last week we announced to the parish that WE ARE GETTING AN ORGAN FOR OUR CHURCH!!!! In the next few weeks we will feature short articles to help us understand the breadth and depth of this great blessing!
Week 2: Why should our parish have an organ?
Short answer: because the Church wants us to, as it is the instrument best suited for the Roman Catholic liturgy! Below are some short quotes from several Popes from the last century alone.
Pope Pius XI, in Divini Cultus (1928): "The traditionally appropriate musical instrument of the Church is the organ, which, by reason of its extraordinary grandeur and majesty, has been considered a worthy adjunct to the Liturgy, whether for accompanying the chant or, when the choir is silent, for playing harmonious music at the prescribed times."
Statue of St. Peter in the Vatican
Pope Pius XII, In Musicae Sacrae (1955): "Among the musical instruments that have a place in church the organ rightly holds the principal position, since it is especially fitted for the sacred chants and sacred rites."
From the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy – Second Vatican Council, promulgated by Pope Paul VI (1963): "In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things."
Pope St. John Paul II (2001): "(...) the organ is the instrument of sacred music par excellence (...)"
Next week: What's so special about the organ?
