Casting the Immaculata Bell

Casting the ‘Maria Immaculata’ Bell

Recording of the Livestreamed Event in Annecy, France

Thursday • December 16, 2021 • 9:00am CST

Crest of the Paccard Foundry, established in 1796

Casting the largest bell weighing ~7,700 lbs

‘Maria Immaculata’ B♭

Crest of the Paccard Foundry

You can expect:

• The blessing of the molten bronze as it is cast into the Maria Immaculata bell mold.

  • Bronze treatment

  • Casting and checking the bronze sample

  • Simultaneously casting and blessing the bronze of the Maria Immaculata B♭ bell

• An explanation (in English and in French) of the bell casting technique and methods taking place during the livestreamed event.

• A video description about the Paccard Foundry.

• A video presentation explaining the process of manufacturing bells.

  • making of the core, making of the false bell, making of wax and inscriptions and decorations, packing of the molds, cleaning of the false bell, casting preparation

• Presentation showing the Immaculata’s bells which are already cast (most specifically, the St. John the Baptist bell and the Sts. Benedict and Scholastica bell).

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Bells of the Immaculata:

1. Maria Immaculata | Key: B♭2 | weight: 7,716 lbs | location: North Tower

   • main bell of the church

2. Sts. Benedict and Scholastica | Key: C3 | weight: 4,630 lbs | location: South Tower

   • patron against wicked spirits and patroness against storms

3. St. John the Baptist | Key: D3 | weight: 3,308 lbs | location: North Tower

   • will be used for calling the faithful to Mass and for the consecration

4. St. Gabriel | Key: E♭3 | weight: 2,756 lbs | location: South Tower

   • will be used for The Angelus

5. St. Lazarus | Key: F3 | weight: 1,985 lbs | location: South Tower

   • will be used as the death knell