What, however, does the bell mean for a person of faith who hears? The bell is not an end in itself. In accord with this principle, it is obvious that they cannot be used to signal a rebellion, or be converted into a war trophy. In Catholic observance, the doorkeeper ( ostiarius) was ordained for that purpose, though in practice, the sacristan has control of them. It is thus understandable that there were legislations in many countries against their use for merely secular purposes, and the church made it a principle that the control of bells rests on the clergy. Also of importance to stress, the blessing of the bells is done to set it aside for the use of the service of God. Third: Bells Are Set Apart for Sacred Use. It sanctifies events in moments of our lives, it makes us aware of God’s presence in our daily talk and walk. In fact, in the old rite of blessing, sacred oils were used in the interior and exterior of the bell. This is the reason why, it is used, a church bell has to be blessed. This means that if one hears and obeys the sound of the bell, he or she is in the right direction of life. There is only one call for everyone, and it is to be holy. But aside from its symbolism, bells are also means to holiness. When the bell rings for the angelus, the anima, it is God himself who call us to pray in his Spirit. When the bell rings for baptism, wedding and funeral, it is God who calls us to experience his presence in the decisive moments of our existence. He calls us to form one family before his presence, his family that prays, and become brothers and sisters in Christ. So, when the bell rings for the Mass, it is God who calls us to congregate as a community, as his own people. For a man of faith, when a church bell rings, he takes it as a call from God himself. In the rite of blessing used during the Spanish times, Psalm 28 (29):4 which says, “ vox Domini in virtus, voc Domini in magnificencia”, is used, obviously to point out that church bells symbolize the voice of God. First: Bells Are a Symbol of God’s Voice. What is the meaning of church bells in Catholicism? We have to see them from what bells are all about, in the first place. As Catholics, we have to look at them from the point of view of faith. After all, both perspectives focus on the political use made of the bells. But we need to take these as the only valid alternatives. For many, on the other hand, they are trophies of war and represent a lasting memorial of the more than 50 American soldiers killed in the Balangiga massacre. For many Filipinos, the bells symbolize courage, struggle for independence and victory over foreign invaders. To date, there are two major views on the bells that one reads from books and from traditional and social media. To the list of various individuals and groups mentioned in the media, which included US and Philippine Presidents, senators, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, historians, philanthropists, and many others who, in the words of US Ambassador Sung Kim, “worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the history of the bells and to advocate for their dignified return,” we might also add Philippine and US Bishops, Bishops of the Diocese of Borongan, priests, and Estehanon groups and individuals.īut we have to ask: What is the significance of the these bells? Why are they so important to us? This is the reason why the Diocese of Borongan, together with many people who rejoice with us, come together to celebrate the Eucharist, as an act of thanksgiving for this great gift-an advance Christmas gift!īut God brought this about through the instrumentality of men and women who labored for decades to bring them home. At last, the three bells of Balangiga, taken 117 years ago, are back to their home!įor a man of faith, this is a work of God. Lawrence and in the Diocese of Borongan, and of the country as a whole. LawrenceĪllow me, at the outset, to use the words of the Psalmist (Ps 118:24): “This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice in it and be glad!” This day is significant indeed, because it marks a historic event in the life of the people in the parish of St.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |