Campus Ministry: Bell Tower
In the Christian faith, the tradition of ringing bells has its roots in monasteries, where bells were rung up to 12 times throughout the day and night to call monks to prayer. When they heard these bells ringing throughout the day, the faithful living in towns and cities near monasteries would stop what they were doing to join the prayer of the monks in spirit from wherever they were at the moment. In our Christian tradition, bells unify the community in prayer and sanctify the day with the awareness of God’s presence.
As Father Beauchamp noted at the dedication of the belltower, “Soaring 100 feet above campus, holding the cross aloft as a beacon, calling out the hours with its heavenly chimes, this bell tower will feed our spirits, nourish our souls, draw our eyes and our hearts heavenward. The sound of those bells ringing will remind us daily, hourly of our religious and intellectual traditions and obligations.”
The Bells
The Angelus
Video of Bells Ringing