Upon returning to Portland, I was just in time for a great day of celebration at the University of Portland. A beautiful bell tower is currently being constructed on the campus, directly next to the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. Long in the works, this bell tower will not only sound the joyous occasions and toll the sad, it will rise high enough to be seen from downtown, and will be a new icon of the University and its mission.
I was happy to attend the blessing of the bells, and the raising of the tower. By ancient tradition, bells are baptized - which is to say, they are given a name, blessed with Holy Water and then consecrated with Sacred Chrism . . . just like a child. The theology behind this is that the bells have a "voice" like humans and assist us by "calling" us to prayer, and raising their "voices" in praise of God.
The two largest bells were named in honor of Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC and Blessed Andre Bessette, CSC. The other bells bore names of saints selected by the donors who gave the bells.
Once all the bells were blessed, the workers raised the tower in sections . . .
. . . until the tower reached its full height next to the chapel.
It was a grey and cold day, but spirits were certainly high. Everyone was rightfully proud of yet another sign that the University of Portland is thriving at the start of its second century.
2 comments:
Will there be a cross at the top?
Yes, of course - and lighted at night. Apparently it will be raised atop the tower once everything else is complete. Perhaps there will be another blessing of some kind?
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