BLESSING OF THE BELLS OF ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL – 8TH SEPTEMBER
September 7, 2020
Blessing of the Bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral – 8th September
For centuries, Church bells have sounded, serving as timekeepers, calling the faithful to prayer and Mass, glorifying our religious celebrations, ringing joyously at weddings or tolling solemnly in memory of loved ones.
The chime of Church bells invites us to pause and reflect, reminding us of God’s presence and the intrinsic roles that our faith and the Church play in our lives. The sound of bells stirs emotions, memories, and spirituality; expressing sentiments of sorrow, joy and hope; touching the hearts and souls of our community.
The dream of installing a peal of bells at St Patrick’s Cathedral dates to 1853. In 2019, the arrival from England of eight specially commissioned bells, began the final chapter in an epic 167-year quest to install a ‘ring’ of bells in the spire of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
On Tuesday 8 September at 6 pm, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, history will be made with the Blessing of the Bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta.