The Pipe Organ and Catholic Worship

The official instrument of the Roman Catholic Church is, of course, the pipe organ.  Vatican II’s liturgy document Sacrosanctum Concilium reminds us of the primacy of this instrument by saying “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.”

The organ in our parish is regrettably not a pipe organ, but rather an electric organ that is meant to emulate the sound of a pipe organ.  Pipe organs are expensive instruments that can cost anywhere from $300,000

to $2,000,000 and above for a newly-built instrument.  In 2012, with many parishes closing, lots of old pipe organs are being purchased from closed Parishes, being transported and refurbished and then rebuilt in other churches for far less money.  Sometimes used pipe organs that would cost over a million dollars new can be purchased for under $50,000 (though rebuilding can be costly).  It can be difficult to find a used organ that is available and will match acoustically, stylistically and spatially into an existing Church.

This effort, however, is well worth it.  Saving historic instruments that were built with the sweat, tears and sacrifices of those who have gone before us is a worthy cause.  Also, making our worship of God fully authentic is a tremendously worthy cause.  If one walks through our church, they will find no fake flowers or plants.  Our worship is enhanced by real, living plants.  Fake plants can be beautiful and last far longer, but are inauthentic.  Real flowers need maintenance and care, will cost more (they will need to be replaced), but are worth it because they bring authenticity.  A fake flower or plant is just intended to imitate the truth found in legitimate plants and flowers.  Likewise, an electric organ is just intended to imitate the beauty and truth found in pipe organs.  They're cheaper and require less maintenance, but they're really just like plastic flowers:  possibly beautiful, but not real.

If you'd like to discuss the possibility of seeing a pipe organ in St. Joan of Arc in the future, feel free to contact me.  We have the space - we just need enthusiasm, fund-raising and people willing to help.