KUALA LUMPUR : A simple ceremony of the Blessing of the Bells was held at Jesus Caritas Church.

Parish Priest, Fr Mitchel Anthony Joseph explained the reason for bells in a church. “Almost all religions use bells as a call to prayer, for a preparation to meet God. In Europe, in the olden days when time pieces were not invented yet, the church bells gave the cue to get ready to gather at the church for prayer and worship. The chime of the bells warded off evil spirits and put one’s mind and heart at ease to focus on prayer,” he said.

Fr Mitchel further elaborated that the four bells purchased for the new church will be electronically and manually controlled to produce different chimes, musical sounds, notes and tunes according to the liturgical seasons of the church — Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and even an Ave Maria tune during the months dedicated to Mother Mary.

The largest bell is in honour of the founder of Jesus Caritas Church, the late Fr Peter Decroocq. The blessing of the bells was specifically held on Saturday, Oct 3 to coincide with the 24th death anniversary of the late Fr Decroocq.

The two other smaller bells are dedicated to the longest serving priests of the parish namely the late Fr Benedict Savarimuthu and the late Fr Philip So, both of whom served in Jesus Caritas church for seven years each from 1991 - 1998.

Fr Mitchel said that the bells were cast in France and each of them engraved in remembrance of the selfless dedication and service of the longest serving pastors and shepherds of Jesus Caritas Church.

Three of the larger bells will be hoisted in the bell tower in front of the church.

The smallest bell will be placed at the entrance of the church and will be used to indicate the start of liturgical services.

The ceremony for the blessing of the bells was preceded by prayers and psalms taken from the Book of Blessings followed by prayers for the special blessing of the bells, incensing of the bells and sprinkling with holy water after which the senior parishioners aged sixty-five and above came forward to bless the bells. I

t was a memorable ceremony, poignant and enriching for the parishioners of this church as many had never witnessed such a ceremony. This was a much anticipated event as parishioners got a “first time close-up” glimpse of the new church.

“This is such a happy and glorious day for us. I had never witnessed a “blessing of the bells” ceremony before. “The bells remind me of the good old days which accord credibility and honour to the Catholic tradition of having bells rung in a church as a call to prayer. This will be a House of Prayer,” said Peter Tan, 71 a dedicated parishioner of the church since the late Fr Decroocq’s time.

That generally was the sentiment of all present — a new church returning to the old Catholic tradition of having bells chime and becoming a House of Prayer and a sign of Hope and Faith to the community of Kepong. — By Rita Gomez