HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II VISITS THE OLDEST BELL FOUNDRY IN THE WORLD
The canonization of Pope John Paul II was a joyful time at the Marinelli Pontifical Bell Foundry. To commemorate the event, Marinelli cast a bronze bell which rang its first festive tolls on April 27, 2014 in unison with bells all over the world, when Karol Wojtyła and Pope John XXIII were officially proclaimed saints.
The bell, weighing 80 kilos and with a diameter of 50 cm, plays the musical note SOL and bears the papal coat of arms of Saint John Paul II, that of Pope Francis, and that of Pope Emeritus – Joseph Ratzinger. These reliefs impressed into the bronze represent the exceptional nature of a particularly fervent historical period for the Church of Rome and the world. The bell was donated to Pope Francis and the Vatican.
The most memorable, prestigious and emotionally engaging event in the Agnone Foundry’s nearly thousand years of history is the time when Pope John Paul II visited the foundry in 1995 for the celebration of Saint Joseph the Artisan. Upon His Holiness’s arrival, he was welcomed by the festive sound of Agnone’s famous bells. With immense joy, he thanked and greeted everyone with these words:
“…I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH YOU IN THIS ANCIENT HEART OF MOLISE, WHICH THROUGH THE WORK OF ITS CHILDREN AND, IN A WAY, ALSO THROUGH THE SOUND OF ITS FAMOUS BELLS, HAS SPREAD MESSAGES OF CULTURE AND FAITH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
SOON I WILL HAVE THE JOY OF WATCHING THE CASTING OF A NEW BELL BY THE MARINELLI FOUNDRY: A BELL THAT WILL BEAR A BAS-RELIEF OF ISAIAH’S PROPHECY OF PEACE…
…I ALSO FIND IT VERY SIGNIFICANT THAT THE CASTING OF THE BELLS OF AGNONE IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRAYER, ESPECIALLY BY THE INVOCATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD…”
Later, recalling his visit to the foundry, the Holy Father said:
“… EACH OF US CARRIES A BELL WITHIN US. THIS BELL IS CALLED THE HEART AND THIS HEART TOLLS AND, I HOPE IT ALWAYS RINGS OUT BEAUTIFUL MELODIES…”
This is certainly the most profound and beautiful comment that has ever been broadcast. For the Marinelli family, his Holiness’s delightful stay is a memory that time continues to enhance with value, meaning and indescribable emotion.