A new organ for the Benedictine monastery in Sampor

Monasticism on the territory of the present-day Slovakia, did play a significant cultural and spiritual role in the course of history. The unfavorable policies of the ruling elite from the second half of the 18^th Century onward as well as the communist dictatorship in the 20^th Century did lead to a complete disappearance of monastic life in Slovakia for a period of 200 years.

In the year 2006 a new Benedictine monastery of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Sampor was founded. Thanks to support of thousands of small donors the first part of the monastery was able to open its gates in May of 2010. The community of three monks has in the meantime grown to 11 monks and 6 brothers in formation. The monastery is especially known because of its guest house, that receives hundreds of guests every year, who seek a place for spiritual retreat, peace and rest. The monks are taking care of the monastery, doing the day-to-day tasks ranging from cooking to running a small animal farm, but they are also busy with modest literary and artistic activities.

The monastic church is open for all visitors and is a place of regular prayer of monks and guests. At the time of its dedication the church received only the most necessary equipment for liturgical use. As the construction of the monastic buildings was finished, the community has decided to turn its attention to the interior of the church again, including the construction of a new pipe organ.

Rendering of the new organ

The monks did entrust the project to the slovak organ building company of Muška Brothers – „Organ workshop Žilina“. The final project was a result of about 6 months of detailed discussions, consultations and design work, in order to create an instrument that will be suitable for the monastery. The sound of the instrument is designed to suit the monastic setting and was inspired by the French romantic organ tradition. The organ should be used both in the monastic liturgy as well as for concerts. The monastery is cooperating with various experts, who are taking part in the construction. The finished organ should serve for decades or centuries, for the glory of God and for edification and joy of all visitors of the monastery.

The construction will go through several phases and should be finished in the spring of 2025. The budget for the entire project is set to 300.000 EUR. The monastery was able to raise approximately half of this sum, i. e. 150.000 EUR from its own resources, but is not capable to finance the entire investment and therefore is kindly asking for your support of this project. Every donation helps! The new organ will enable the monastery in Sampor to further its mission to spread the spiritual and cultural message of St. Benedict to more people. The monks will offer their prayers for all donors, living and departed. Thank you for your generosity and consideration.

Your can send your donation to the following bank account: SK60 7500 0000 0040 2926 1499 (Account name: Michal Kukuča). Message for the receiver: „For the organ“ (please, leave us your email address as well). For more information you can contact Fr. Michal Mária OSB, michalmaria@benediktini.sk

You also have a possibility of becoming a Patron of an organ pipe!

For a donation of 50 EUR you will become a patron of a pipe from one of the Flute stops. The Flutes are the soft, poetic sounds of the organ.
For 100 EUR or more you can become a patron of a pipe from one of the Principal (diapason) stops. These form the basis of the organ sound and you can usually hear them, when the organ is supporting the singing of the congregation.
For a donation of 500 EUR or more, you can become a patron of a pipe from one of the Reed stops. These provide the organ with a characteristic festive sound.
For a donation of 1000 EUR or more you can become a patron of a pipe from one of the Pedal stops.
And for a donation of 5000 EUR or more you will become a patron of an entire organ rank — that means a complete set of pipes, that have their own name on the stop knob, that the organist can select to achieve the desired sound.

After the construction will be complete, we will send you the certificate about your patronage.

Specification

1. Manual (Grand orgue)

Bourdon 16´
Montre 8´
Flûte bénédictine 8´
Salicional 8´
Unda maris 8´
Prestant 4´
Doublette 2´
Cornet progressif I-III
Fourniture IV
Trompette 8´
II-I 8´

2. Manual (Récit)

Bourdon 8´
Gambe 8´
Voix céleste 8´
Flûte octaviante 4´
Viole 4´
Nasard 2^2/3´
Octavin 2´
Tierce 1^3/5´
Plein jeu II
Hautbois 8´
Trémolo

Pedal

Soubasse 16´
Violonbasse 8´
Trombone 16´
I-P 8´
II-P 8´

Console

Manuals: 2 (C—a₃)

Pedalboard: parallel (C—f₁)

Aids: Buttons and pistons for freely preset combinations (10.000 registrations) and 3 hard preset combinations, Reed stopper, Automatic pedal stopper, Programmable crescendo pedal, Mechanical expression pedal, Lighting for the music stand and pedalboard.