Music that is Sacred

On principle, I believe I am against organ concerts occurring in Catholic churches. This stems from my fundamental belief that the sanctuary of a Catholic church should be exclusively reserved for the worship of God within the liturgy. However, I have historically participated in activities that contradict this belief. I have attended non-liturgical public prayer in churches, listened to orations by Catholic speakers, and even observed rehearsals of musicians. While organ concerts still contradict my initial fundamental belief, I have recently found myself excusing their presence in churches for three reasons. Firstly, I greatly enjoy organ music and have a deep desire to experience it played live. Secondly, I believe that when I and others listen to the organ played well, our souls are lifted to praise and adoration of God. Lastly, in my immediate area, I do not believe there is a single non-church venue within a 250-mile radius that houses a proper acoustic organ. This leaves limited options for experiencing this magnificent instrument.

Recently, I attended my third organ concert in as many months, hosted in a large and beautiful church. The organ, a stunning instrument with a storied history of over 150 years, was the centerpiece of each concert. The performers varied in résumés, but to my untrained ear, each was incredibly talented.

Each concert drew me into a similar experience. As the concert began, I listened intently to each note, yet very quickly my mind would wander. I found myself reflecting on the environment around me, the architectural beauty of the church, and the hushed anticipation of the audience. I imagined the high-masses of old where this same organ would be played gorgeously alongside large, well-practiced, choirs filling the sacred space with sounds that transcended the ordinary and drew the faithful closer to the divine. In those moments, the music became more than just notes; it transformed into a conduit for spiritual reflection. The richness of the organ's tones resonated within the very walls of the church, creating an atmosphere that felt both reverent and celebratory. It occurred to me that this is where the value of such music lies: it invites us into a shared experience of beauty, transcendence and adoration, even if those listening are not aware of it.

As the melodies flowed through the air, I couldn’t help but wonder if others were indeed experiencing something similar. Many attendees, perhaps initially drawn by the allure of the organ's grandeur, seemed to drift into a reflective state, quietly contemplating their own spiritual journeys. I hoped that the sacred space of the church, combined with the rich harmonies, might invite them to connect with God, even if just fleetingly. For some, perhaps the music could serve as a gentle nudge toward faith, rekindling a sense of adoration they had long overlooked. In that moment, I felt that the organ's powerful notes might echo not just within the walls, but within their hearts too. While I couldn’t be sure, I hoped that this blending of music and Catholicity offered an opportunity for personal encounters with the divine, fostering a shared sense of reverence that transcended the typical concert experience.

When each concert ended I felt rushed to applaud and then get up and leave. I know these concerts were not a liturgy or a public prayer, but they were a type of prayer. I was drawn into the mysteries of God during the concert and to get up, socialize, and leave felt forced. When I attend Mass, after it ends, I always remain in my pew to thank God for the gifts He has given me during the liturgy. At each of these concerts I felt drawn to do a similar thing. God needed to be praised for the beauty we all experienced. God needed to be praised for His presence in the concert.

Music has this distinctive power to transcend the ordinary, transforming a simple gathering into a profound experience of connection, adoration and spirituality. It can draw one closer to the divine and foster a sense of awe among attendees. Ultimately, the presence of live music can enhance one’s experience of life and art, reminding one of the source of beauty itself, even if that is not why they stepped into that particular Catholic church on that particular evening. God is to be praised in all things, but it does seem in a distinct way God is to be praised for and in the beauty of classical art.

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