Magno in honore: the pipe organ in the Church’s magisterium

This week we start a two part series on the importance of the pipe organ in Church teaching. The organ has been of particular interest in papal and conciliar documents on the Sacred Liturgy, and as our new pipe organ rises up (literally!) in St Bernadette’s we have opportunity to take into account what the Church proposes about its special value in Catholic worship. “Magno in honore”, the title of our little series, is the Latin expression of the Second Vatican Council in describing this noble instrument – meaning that the organ is to be “held in great esteem”. Finally, we include a few photos each week showing progress with the installation of the organ.

Divini Cultus (Pius XI, 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.”

Musicae Sacrae (Pius XII, 1955)

“[The organ] adds a wonderful splendour and a special magnificence to the ceremonies of the Church. It moves the souls of the faithful by the grandeur and sweetness of its tones. It gives minds an almost heavenly joy and it lifts them up powerfully to God and to higher things.”

De musica sacra et sacra liturgia (Sacred Congregation for Rites, 1958)

“‘Sacred music’ includes the following: a) Gregorian chant; b) sacred polyphony; c) modern sacred music; d) sacred organ music; e) hymns; and f) religious music.”

“The principal musical instrument for solemn liturgical ceremonies of the Latin Church has been and remains the classic pipe organ.”

Sacrosanctum Concilium (Vatican II, 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 splendour to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.”

(Image: St Peter’s Basilica in Rome – two of the Basilica’s organs are visible)