Ringing a Special Bell on Good Friday

[Jegudiel]

All this talk about not ringing bells on Good Friday made me want to post this article I read on-line:

"After attending a Good Friday service at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in LA I was walking through LA's Old Plaza (Olvera Street area) when I saw this bell out of the corner of my eye. I had noticed it several times before but it had to be a fake, right? A real bell would never survive vandals in my hometown let alone this gritty inner city LA neighborhood. Still I had to take a look. Climbing through the bushes I was astonished to find it was a real bronze bell (easily $25K), about 4 feet in diameter. This bell is a replica of the “Bell of Dolores” which was presented to the City of Los Angeles by the Republic of Mexico in 1968. I hoped its clapper was movable so I could strike it. Not only was the clapper free to move, so was the entire bell which rotated on pillow block bearings. I looked at my watch -- 2:58 pm -- 2 minutes before Jesus Christ died on the cross.

Nothing was going to stop me from trying to toll this bell beginning at 3:00. I stuck in a pair of ear plugs (yes I too am amazed I had them with me) and started trying to rock the bell. The 2,500+ pounds of bronze slowly began to move and right at 3:00 I heard the thundering (120+ dB) and beautiful voice of the bell begin to mourn Jesus' death. Even with the ear plugs the bell sounded powerful. Very rich and soulful -- far deeper and more resonant than the smaller bells at my parish. Because the entire bell was swinging it was also providing an awesome Doppler effect.

After a couple of minutes of ringing the bell (something that would spell trouble in my hometown) I stepped out from behind the bushes and saw 200-300 awestruck people listening and watching the swinging bell. Directly across the street at Union Station people were standing still and smiling, many with their heads bowed in prayer. Removing my ear plugs while the bell "rang down" I was astonished at its pitch and volume -- traffic stopping volume at that. I'm glad God used me in this tiny way to remind others of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to His Father for our sins. I think I'll plan to do it next year..."

Replica of the “Bell of Dolores” which was presented to the City of Los Angeles by the Republic of Mexico in 1968.

[mcmitton]

The tolling of a bell significantly is rung at solemn occasions, funerals, memorial services. Outside of the Mass, I think it very appropriate.

I wish I could have been in the gathering of those in prayer as the bell tolled.