New-York tribune., 1897-08-16
BLESSING THE CHIMES.
AN INTERESTING CEREMONY FE'''
FORMED IN ST. PATRICKS
CATHEDRAL.


With elaborate ceremonies the nineteen pens
composing the chimes for ST. Pairicks Ca'"e"' a.
were soemny blessed by Archbishop Corrsa"
yesterday afternoon in the presence OF fuily n'e
thousand persons. The frame OF Georgia PIN.
which Is 10 support the bells when they are paoe'
IN the north tower. lS feet above the grouhu' "''
been erected at the western end Of the nave
Upon it the bells had been hung as they VIII oe
when in their final positions. The frame was
richly decorated with the Papal colors. yeo" anu
white, and with Papal and American nags' -
stairway led to the upper part OF the structure
whore the smaller bells were suspended ,
Archbishop Corrigan who wore mtre. cope anu
stole. and carried the crozior. was ATTENDED .!
the Rev. Patrick DAILY deacon the Rev Ihon"'
+. Murphy sub-deacon: the Rev j. \. Conho'!'
master Of ceremonies and Father Mayhan' la'e
OF St Peters Church. who was assistant mas'e'
OF ceremonies.
1t was 1 o'clock when the ceremony began Win
the reading Of several psalms. after when the
Archbishop blessed the water to be used III WASH
Ing the bells using the form prescribed FOR pleSS-
ing holy water with the addition OF coHec'
calling down special blessing for the purpose
for which the water was to be used Inc" INV
Archbishop. attended by acolytes serving hs tram
bearers. candle bearers. mitre-bearer cro~t'-
bearer. etc. took a brush and wet each bel. IN
side and outside covering space about an hch
square. The actual washing Of the beis was per
formed by the attending priests. who wllh sponge
washed each bell thoroughly.
In the same manner the drying was performt"'
the Archbishop touching a towel to each Oh '"'
bells and tho clergy completing the work
Upon each bell. at cqLidistant spaces OH '"e ou
side seven crosses had been marked In cha'h'
Four crosses had also been marked slmhalIS ~
the inside. Using the oil for the sick, Archp's"oP
Corrigan after several psalms had been said, pro
ceeded TO anoint the bells. the cross IN cha'N oe
ing erased before the amounting. With his thump
aIo
where every chalk mark had been Then the a'-
tending priests carefully removed the OIL usi"s
cotton for this purpose. The prayer accomPai! ''s
the amounting was an exorcism against all e''
powers. tempests, etc. 49,,
More psalms were repeated. and then the Arch-
bishop again proceeded to anoint the belis' us'"s
this time the holy chrisn. which is used In pap
tsm and confirmation The same ceremony as u"
fore was Observed each Of the crosses nems ILL., Inu
IN od ,he sane he gGf ganonted ed them this lime The Arch
bishop pronounced the name OF each p'LI hoen
After specially prepared incense had oeer, tn
blessed it was sprnkled upon burning Goals an IN
little metal dishes one OF wncn Nv mas osnr nrayers
had heen recited Father Lavelle struck each OF
The bells with malle sounding IT. ,hH Inc sauc
ure and the procession returned to the Woone,
The sermon was preached ny Monsifbpp onstbopc @'burch
had been 10 bring the supernatural into the ne
of man and make eyerytmlns' eve" '"e
The bells to-day remind me Of the trumpet which
Moss Moss W %as w6reRp and Of the bells Which in
rornrla announced the approach Of the high priest
Whcther they used to call the faithlul 10
gether w have no means OF knowing. Dut true II
4 maj Dhen the Church burst from her hdlnR
n,ocn in the catacombs and began her glorious
mission bells soon came into general use. ana the
growfh OF their use went hand in hand with the
growth OF the church. - . ,,., 49,
mo onher his description OF how bells were used TO
announce joyfuly the approach OF the great festi-
vais \ bell is the most appropriate instrument
to call men together worship. 1t is the only one
that speaks to heaven above as well as to earth
beow and whose voice can be heard far over hiil
and valley.
This country OF ours is new country. and the
day will come when such ceremonies as this Will
no longer he strangers to H. This Is new country,
will come Then will all men worship God in the
rnanncr He wishes to be worshipped. and the sound
o. church bells calling us 10 prayers viii not he a
novel one. May these bells ring out the faith TO
that generation. May they hear spiritual warning
I'm their sounds which will ring out TO all the
message OF faith and OF hope. and OF charity"
The ceremonies were ended with solemn benedc-
ton of the blessed sacrament.
Among the clcrgymen present were Bishop Farley.
r j. Mctiinley the Rev. Martin j. Hughes the
Rev Charles Cotton the Rev. James Galligan, the
Rev. John Edwards and Father Candella. The
Franciscans. Dominicans and other members OF
regular orders who were present wore the habit
OF their respective orders There were fifty ushers
from the Holy Name Society, under charge OF John
j. Connolly.
The bells it is expected will be in place in the
north tower 10y October