First testing of our Maria Immaculata and John the Baptist bells

 

Our bells are now on their way across the sea from France to their destination here in the USA!

Before being shipped, each bell was tested and tuned in order to make all five bells blend harmoniously.

 
 

Here is an interesting excerpt quoted from the Paccard Foundry as they were testing our MARIA IMMACULATA (B♭2) and JOHN THE BAPTIST (D3) bells.

“I was walking in from the Museum and entered into the Foundry workshop, when Cyril and Corentin started the swinging. As soon as ‘Ioannes Baptista’ bell started ringing all our working craftsmen immediately stopped their tasks and came towards the large bell frame to see and hear the bell. ‘Maria Immaculata’ was moving back and forth but its swing was not yet far enough to have the bell ring.

When the bell of ‘Maria Immaculata’ started its own swinging, everyone could hear a large, deep, profound and beautifully intense sound! Quietly, ‘Maria Immaculata’ increased its timber and quickly overpowered the sound of ‘Ioannes Baptista’. At the same time both bells sung together and made splendid and glorious swinging peal. The foundry was stunned! Several people of the Museum including my wife stopped working and listen carefully! Two people of the Museum came to the Foundry to listen the bell. A group of people near the foundry came to the open courtyard, and where stupefied and amazed.

Even if I am used to hearing large bourdon bells, the sound of ‘Maria Immaculata’ is outstanding. I slowed my pace and came behind each of the craftsmen and looked discreetly from behind at their eyes; I could see the emotion and teardrops appearing. It was a spiritual experience.

After the testing ended we starting talking with the team; all were so pleased to express their proudness and joy to see the end of their work and beauty of it.

Thank you, Father, and please send our greatest thanks to the parishioners and particularly for the benefactors of the bells. This is really wonderful.

I will add indeed thank God!”

 
 
 

Bells of the Immaculata:

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

    • main bell of the church

    • Effigy of Our Lady holding her Divine Son and the engraved quotes of “Maria Immaculata, ora pro nobis” and “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph”.

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

    • patron against wicked spirits and patroness against storms

    • Patron effigies and bell engraving quotes: “Vade Retro, Satana” and “A Fulgura et Tempestate, libera nos domine.”

  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

    • Patron effigy and bell engraving quote: “Vox Clamantis in Deserto, Parate Viam Domini.”

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

    • will be used for the Angelus

    • Patron effigy and bell engraving quote: “Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis.”

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

    • will be used as the death knell

    • Patron effigy and bell engraving quote: “Lazare, veni foras. Ego sum Resurrectio et Vita.”

 
 
Jurgen WegnerImmaculata Church Project