Ireland: cathedrals 'ring for renewal' on St Patrick's Day

Eucharistic Congress Bell

Across Ireland, cathedral and church bells will ring out at 12pm and 6pm on St Patrick's Day as part of 'Ring for Renewal', a special event in preparation for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 (IEC2012).

During Mass celebrations for St Patrick's Day in Armagh, His Eminence, Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, will ring the Cathedral Mass Bell in preparation for the forthcoming Eucharistic Congress.

Cardinal Brady will then hand the Cathedral Mass Bell to the new Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, who will ring the bell as part of 'Ring for Renewal'. The Clarion Bells of the Cathedral will then be played for two minutes.

This week Pope Benedict XVI joined 'Ring for Renewal' when he sounded the Eucharistic Congress Bell in Rome last Wednesday (14 March), calling people from across the world to Dublin for the Eucharistic Congress, which takes place from 10-17 June 2012.

In solidarity with the Holy Father, Cathedrals and parishes across Ireland have signed up to ring their bells for two minutes at 12 noon and 6pm, as a symbol of renewal and a call to gather in preparation for the Congress.

Cathedrals that will 'Ring for Renewal' on St Patrick's Day include: St John's Cathedral, Limerick; St Patrick and St Felim's Cathedral, Cavan; Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway; Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow; Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar.

Keeping with the ecumenical focus of IEC2012, Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin will be 'Ringing for Renewal' at 12pm and 6pm on St Patrick's Day.

By ringing a bell on St Patrick's Day, everyone can join the journey towards the Congress in their own personal way. Parishes are encouraged to leave a bell in a suitable place within their chapel for people to ring during a visit to the Church on St Patrick's Day, for Mass or for personal prayer.

Whether people are working, travelling, or attending the St Patrick's Day Parade, Fr Kevin Doran, Secretary General of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, encourages everyone to take a moment to 'Ring for Renewal' on the Feast of St Patrick. "We invite you, wherever you are, to pause for a moment from the activity
of your day, and to allow the ringing of the bell to speak to your heart."

'Ring for Renewal' extends an open invitation to everyone to ring a bell on 17 March, to pause for a moment in the day and to reflect on how they can be renewed as individuals and members of the Church as they prepare for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress.

IEC2012 website is hosting the chiming of the Eucharistic Congress Bell available to stream online: www.iec2012.ie/ringforrenewal