The Cathedral Bells
On October 26, 1902, Bishop Bradley solemnly consecrated the three bells that hang in the cathedral belfry. It was no doubt a crowning moment for the bishop and the people of the cathedral parish. Remember, St. Joseph Church was dedicated in 1869, and so the bells were set in place 33 years later.
The bell tower and steeple are a very important structural part of the cathedral church. From the base of the bell tower to the top of the steeple are 170 feet of brick and slate tile and within the belfry are the three bells that weigh a total of 7,650 pounds. Each bell bears the Coat of Arms of Bishop Bradley as well as an inscription:
- Bell No. 1 weighs 4300 lb. and is in the key of C. The inscription-
- Jesus, Savior of mankind, grant that You will not have died in vain for any soul of this Cathedral parish.
- Bell No. 2 weighs 2100 lbs. and is in the key of E. The inscription -
- Mary, help of Christian, intercede with Jesus that this Cathedral parish may be always devoutly Catholic.
- Bell No. 3 weighs 1250 lbs. and is in the key of B. The inscription -
- St. Joseph, who died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain from God that every member of this Cathedral parish may die a happy death.
God, who decreed through blessed Moses, your servant and lawgiver, that silver trumpets should be made and be sounded at the time of sacrifice, in order to remind the people by their clear tones to prepare for your worship and to assemble for its celebration, Grant, we pray, that this bell, destined for your holy Church, may be hallowed by the Holy Spirit through our lowly ministry, so that when it is tolled and rung the faithful may be invited to the house of God and to the everlasting recompense.
Let the people’s faith and piety wax stronger whenever they hear its melodious peals. At its sound let all evil spirits be driven afar; let thunder and lightning, hail and storm be banished; let the power of your hand put down the evil powers of the air, causing them to tremble at the sound of this bell, and to flee at the sight of the holy cross engraved thereon.
May our Lord Himself grant this, who overcame death on the gibbet of the cross, and who now reigns in the glory of God the Father, in the unity of the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.
Note how the priest calls down God’s power to drive away “evil spirits” as well as “thunder … lightning, hail and storm” through the sound of these bells. The blessing continues with a final prayer that again recalls the spiritual weight the bells are given:
O Christ, the almighty ruler, as you once calmed the storm at sea when awakened in the boat from the sleep of your human nature, so now come with your benign help to the needs of your people, and pour out on this bell the dew of the Holy Spirit.
Whenever it rings may the enemy of the good take flight, the Christian people hear the call to faith, the empire of Satan be terrified, your people be strengthened as they are called together in the Lord, and may the Holy Spirit be with them as He delighted to be with David when he played his harp.
And as onetime thunder in the air frightened away a throng of enemies, while Samuel slew an unweaned lamb as a holocaust to the eternal King, so when the peal of this bell resounds in the clouds may a legion of angels stand watch over the assembly of your Church, the first-fruits of the faithful, and afford your ever-abiding protection to them in body and spirit.
We ask this through you, Jesus Christ, who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
~ Solemn Blessing of Church Bells from the Roman Ritual