The Blessings of The Bells (2010)

An ecumenical gathering of clergy and faithful for the blessing of a set of three new bells for the bell tower of the monastery on the Solemnity of Saint Bernard Tolomei in August 2010 had us ring out our joy and celebrate together the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. It is these fundamental gra
ces which hold the monks of Rostrevor, united with all God’s People, committed to the journey to continue the path to unity together.

The new bells installed in the bell tower beside the church are dedicated to the memory of three witnesses who have been guiding lights upon the Rostrevor community’s path because of their love for the Church and their desire to see all God’s people gathered together in the spirit of communion.

On the bell dedicated to the memory of Dom Paul M. Grammont, OSB, are inscribed these words, Faith is the assurance of things hoped for … He saw and greeted the promise from af
ar (Hebrews 11: 1.13), while on the bell in honour of Saint Mary, the Mother of Holy Hope, one reads Hope does not disappoint us (Romans 5:5), finally the inscription on the bell ascribed to Saint Bernard Tolomei, to mark his recent canonisation, the message is a clear call for the community to participate in the mystery of its holy founder’s self-giving love, There is no greater love than to give one’s life (John 15:13).

The presence of brethren from our own monastic family, along with Archbishop Robert Le Gall, OSB, from the Diocese of Toulouse in France, who presided over the blessing of the bells, made this celebration a richly blessed and truly joyous occasion for the Rostrevor community. It bore testimony to the fact that we are called to live our ministry here in Rostrevor as part of the Church Universal, reaching out to and receiving from the whole Body of Christ and the great family of nations.