New bells will be ringing this Easter in Paris!
Nine new bells, on display at Notre Dame,
will begin pealing in time for Palm Sunday.
While there is some controversy about what will happen to the old bells,
the one remaining Great Bell, Emmanuel, will stay.
The others, replacing the old 'out of tune' bells,
are going in to celebrate the founding of the cathedral in 1163.
And according to the Seattle Times, each will have names:
Jean-Marie, Maurice, Benoit-Joseph, Steven, Marcel, Dennis,
Anne-Genevieve, Gabriel and Mary will join Emmanuel,
the only original bell not taken down and broken in the French Revolution.
And written on each bell, a Latin inscription:
Via viatores quaerit.
"I am the path looking for travelers."
If you are in Paris on March 23rd,
listen for the sound of the medieval church bells of old
and follow the travelers path to the city's beloved
Our Lady of Paris.
(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)
850 YEARS! I will never forget seeing HER for the first time, when I emerged from the Metro station. I turned, and there she was, having been viewed by so many before me.
ReplyDeleteWONDERFUL POST; let us ring in yet another legacy of life! Anita
I had no idea about the history of the bells. Funny that they name them. I would love to hear them. I stayed around the corner from Notre Dame once and never heard them.
ReplyDeleteOh what a dream it would be to be there and hear them in person!
ReplyDeleteMerci for the share, I hope you are weathering the winter well!
Nathalie
The Notre Dame Cathedral is so beautiful. What an interesting story about the bells. And this picture is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI know how much you love Paris, and Nel just got back from her honeymoon there and posted about it today if you want to take a peek. I can see why you love the city so much. A happy week to you.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley