Sean Lavery

Sean Lavery was a Roman Catholic priest for the Missionary Society of St. Columban, also know as "The Columbans".

Shortly after his ordination in 1958, Father Lavery was appointed to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Ozamiz in the Philippines. He held many posts including leading the liturgical and musical development and musical development for the diocese. As part of this effort, he commissioned the building of a pipe organ in Germany; it was installed in the Cathedral in 1967 and is one of the few pipe organs in the Philippines [ [http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/images/ads/336bf0319cdc80610ff178020d969a82.doc Department of Tourism - The Philippines Ultimate Travel Guide for Tourist ] ] . Though hardly intended at the time, this pipe organ has now become one of the singular tourist attractions for Ozamiz City and the Archdiocese of Ozamiz [ [http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/bb332/77e/ limledi Ozamis City Travel Page - VirtualTourist.com ] ] . He left the Philippines in 1977 to study for his doctorate in sacred music in Rome.

In 1980, Father Lavery was transferred to Ireland where he assumed the post of Director of Sacred Music at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. A prolific composer, Father Lavery was passionate aboutGregorian Chant and influenced many future musicians, including Father Liam Lawton, a popular singer/priest in Ireland [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/carlownationalist/2002/11/11/story3455.asp Carlow Nationalist - 2002/11/11: Songs for his people ] ] He was a member of the Irish Church Music Association and was, from the spring of 1984 to the winter of 1987, editor of "Jubilius", a Maynooth publication [ [http://www.church-music.org.uk/articles/helen.htm ‘Roma locuta, causa finita ] ] .

Father Lavery died in 1994.

References

ee also

Bernad, Miguel S.J. “How An Entire City Built An Organ”, History Against the Landscape. Manila: Solidaridad Publishing House 1968.