Church Organ 

In Sacrosanctum Concilium, its document on sacred liturgy, the Second Vatican Council stated that the “pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church as the traditional musical instrument that adds splendor to ceremonies and lifts the mind to God.” On the eve of the Council, which he initiated, Pope St. John XXIII offered a reflection on the significance of the organ as a sacred instrument and why it is particularly fitting for the worship of God. He pointed to the multitude of sounds that the organ can make. All these different sounds, playing together in beautiful harmonies in an act of worship, are a symbol of the Church itself. The Church is made up of unique individuals and people of different backgrounds and cultures and ethnicities and languages, who are united in Christ by our shared baptism, our shared faith. It also consists of bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful, with different roles in the shared mission of the Church. Finally, the Church extends beyond those physically gathered in the church at Mass, or even all its members on earth, to include all the angels and saints. Thus, Pope St. John connected the grand harmonious diversity of an organ’s sound with the Church’s “living symphony” of praise – its united worship of God, the Most Holy Trinity, both in heaven and on earth. 

The pope’s reflection is particularly good for us to consider now, since the Church of St. Cecilia needs a new organ. Our current organ is over 40 years old and has served our parish very well, far beyond what could have been reasonably expected when it was installed. Happily, we have been able to find a replacement that is both of excellent quality and within our budget. For those who are interested, the organ is a lightly used 3-manual Viscount Ourveture 355. Like many members of our parish, it is Italian. In consultation with the Parish Finance Council, we purchased the organ from another parish in the diocese using the “over goal” funds from this year’s Annual Bishop’s Appeal. While our present organ is located in the north transept of the church, the new organ will be installed this week in the choir loft. This is in line with our church’s excellent architectural design, which envisioned music being guided and played from the rear of the church. In one of the many beautiful details of St. Cecilia Church, there is a magnificent stained-glass window in the choir loft that depicts choirs of angels. It is an image that harmonizes well with the liturgical vision of Pope St. John XXIII mentioned above. Hopefully, as the glorious sound of our choir and cantors, accompanied by our new organ, washes over the congregation, we will recognize it as an invitation to join the living symphony of angels and saints in their eternal song of God’s praise.  

posted 9/19/26