Bells

December 6th, 2019

Each Sunday before the 11am Solemn Sung Mass I hear our Cathedral bells chime – my mind is filled with many things in those final moments before Mass begins. But what are bells all about?

Bells through many ages have helped to mark the rhythm of the day: the Angelus bells, clock chimes; bells ring before Mass to call the faithful to the sacred liturgy, they toll to mark death and ring out joyfully to mark celebrations and great feasts. In times past, they were rung during storms in the belief their ringing would ward off lightning and thunder.

Traditionally, bells are silent during the Paschal Triduum signifying something is very different – and when we hear them again ringing out abundantly at the Gloria of the Easter Vigil they show that something very significant is happening.

And listen to the harmony they produce – it’s like they create their own harmonic world into which we as the listener are invited.

One of my enduring memories is being in Europe as a youngster – very early in the morning as the sun was rising a nearby church carillon would play the ‘Lourdes Hymn’ – it would gently ring out each morning following the Angelus bells over the peaceful landscape…delicately honouring the Mother of God at the day’s dawning…it was really something which could be described as heavenly…like the earth was truly being blessed with each note – what an impression on a youngster !!

Being in Geraldton recently for the dedication and first ringing of the new bells of St Francis Xavier Cathedral made me remember this – and it made me think about the significance of bells a little more.

Consider the landscape of this part of the world – its ever-stretching, deep blue sky which is so immense that it somehow gives a sense of the grandeur and immensity of God…and we, so little in comparison to Him…the distant horizon visible over those vast plains is actually not its edge…you can’t reach it because the plains endlessly unfold before you… …and it’s like the air simply shines and radiates in the blazing sun…and strong winds blow from almost unimaginable distances…

Mgr John Hawes (1876 – 1956), the incredible priest-architect, would say that every church is a ‘poem in stone’ – his masterpiece (the Geraldton Cathedral) now tells more of the story – a beautiful carillon now complements this poem inviting people to experience it and rest awhile – these bells are like the poem’s melody and beautiful ornament…allowing the poem to speak and be heard over the windswept plains… like the voice of God and his good news reaching out to all the earth across the plains…this brings to mind the quote from Isaiah about ‘Sion’s wilderness’: ‘…thanksgiving shall be found there, and a melodious song.’ (Isaiah 51:3)

And perhaps this is also reminiscent of St Francis himself, who brought so many to God – and brought God to so many.

May these new Cathedral bells resound from this beautiful ‘poem in stone’ over our rugged landscape for a long time to come – bringing many to God – and bringing God to many.