Thursday, December 24, 2009

Volume 97; Number 28

www.bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

75¢
“Bells will be Seasonal greetings
ringing...” from Christ the King
Christ the King and Zion Lutheran
Church bells
will ring forth
once again
By John and Mary Gagnon
Bells have been a symbol of calling for centuries.
Church bells, which are used to summon the faith-
ful to Divine Service, have been general since the
8th Century. Recently, through the generosity of its
parishioners, the church bells in the steeple of
Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville
peal once again as part of the parish's 100th
anniversary restoration.
In the high Christ the King bell tower, there are
four, swinging, bronze bells, each given a name at
its "baptism": Joseph, John, Mary, and Paul.
Church bells are solemnly blessed by a bishop,
with a rite properly called the "Baptism of Bells."
It consists of the recitation of psalms, washing of
the bell with Holy Water, anointing with Oil of the
Sick and with Chrism, putting a smoking thurible
(censor) inside it, and reading the Gospel of St.
Luke (Ch. X, 38-42). The bell is given a Christian
name and has "god-parents." The blessed bells may
now "overcome the powers of the air, so that in
hearing these bells, the devils may tremble and
flee" (from the blessing). Christmas Message
The bishop, in the blessing of the bells, also begs Fr. Ralph G. Zimmerman
of Almighty God to "pour out upon this bell the dew Christ the King Church
of the Holy Spirit," so that when its melody shall Silent for many years, the bells of Christ Browerville, Minnesota
fall upon the ears of the people, they may receive the King Church will once again ring thanks This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. It has been that
an increase of Faith; be protected from the snares in part to efforts of several volunteers. now for over 2,000, as the world calendar marks the birth of Jesus
of the enemy; from the crash of hail-storms, hurri- Christ. The Christian liturgical cal- Continued on page 28
Virgin to the angel:
canes, lightening and thunder, and winds; and
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
have everlasting protection of the harvests of those
R. And She conceived of the Holy Ghost. (strike,
who believe, as well as their souls and their bodies.
strike, strike)
Besides summoning the faithful to Mass, other
Hail Mary...(pause in ringing)
universal uses for church bells are: the daily
V. Behold the Handmaid of the Lord,
Angelus; during the singing of the Gloria in
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Excelsis at Mass on Holy Saturday; at the
(strike, strike, strike)
Consecration in a principal Mass; and even at
Hail Mary...(pause)
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The bells
V. And the Word was made Flesh,
would "toll" when a person is dying (the passing-
R. And dwelt amongst us. (strike, strike, strike)
bell), after death, and at that person's funeral. In
Hail Mary... (pause)
some places it is the custom to ring a "De
V. Pray for us, O most holy Mother of God,
Profundis" bell at about 9:00 p.m. ("Out of the
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises
depths I cry to Thee, O Lord..." 129th Psalm, beg-
of Christ.
ging God's mercy and forgiveness for one's sins.) It
Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O
is a very old custom to ring the bells at times of
Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we to whom
both secular rejoicing and danger. Church bells all
the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made
over the world were rung at the election of a new
known by the message of an angel, may, by His
pope (still done in Italy).
passion and cross be brought to the glory of His
At noon, “John and Mary” will ring for the
resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.
Angelus. This is a devotion honoring the
Amen. (swing 30 seconds)
Incarnation of the Son of God become Man, and
Joseph, John, and Mary will peal to summon the
venerating the Blessed Virgin by her "Fiat" or con-
faithful to Mass.
sent to be the Mother of God. In former days upon
May the sonorous voices of Joseph, John, Mary, Christmas Greetings
hearing the Angelus bell (rung three times a day),
and Paul once again resound throughout our town,
persons would stop their work, bow their head, and Pastor Nate Loer
and give "glory to God in the highest, and peace
recite a special prayer. This prayer consists of the Zion Lutheran Church
among men of good will."
recitation of three Hail Marys, the angelic saluta- Browerville, Minnesota
tion spoken by the Archangel Gabriel at the 320-594-6161
See the story of the bells on back page.
Annunciation, and words spoken by the Blessed Greetings from your friends and
neighbors at Zion Lutheran Continued on page 28

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Wed Dec. 23 Thu Dec. 24 Fri Dec. 25 Sat Dec. 26 Sun Dec. 27 Mon Dec. 28 Tue Dec. 29 Wed Dec. 30
Snow Showers Snow Showers Snow Showers Mostly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Snow Shower Mostly Sunny
24°/17° 24°/18° 23°/9° 16°/4° 12°/4° 14°/9° 14°/-1° 18°/10°