(ANS - Rodeo del Medio) - The Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Rodeo del Medio possesses a century-old musical gem - an organ with 1,200 pipes of wood and metal, donated in 1909 by the family of former governor Rafael Ortega. Now, on the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, the instrument has undergone a complete restoration, and can play, as on the first day, in honour of the saint of youth.

Some pipes are immediately visible inside the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. Behind them the body of the organ has about 1,200 others, of various sizes, made of wood and metal. Lower down there is the console with two keyboards, with the pedals and the registry keys. From the console 500 small tubes of lead carry the air several metres up to the reeds where it is transformed into music.

During the restoration of the instrument everything seemed like a tangle of metal; but when the organist demonstrates how it works, it is enough to press a button and music fills the temple.

Jorge Franco and Enrique Rimoldi are specialists from Buenos Aires who were commissioned to restore the instrument that was first assembled in the shrine of Rodeo del Medio in 1909. The various parts were acquired, as for many other pipe organs in the country, from the German firm Rudolph Ibach. Since then, the organ has remained unchanged. The last repair was carried out in 2004 and the instrument continued in use for celebrations. Eventually, however, it was in need of a complete restoration.

To raise funds, the Salesians launched a unique campaign: they announced to the inhabitants of Rodeo del Medio that they needed 1,214 friends who would each contribute fifty pesos (about five euro) to restore the 1,214 organ pipes, and the objective was achieved.

Those who contributed received a card on which they could write the name of their family or of their deceased relatives. These names will be mentioned at the Masses on 24 May, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians.

Published 16/01/2015