On Sunday 17 May, known as Bell Sunday, the Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, blessed the bells and thanked the ringers in the Bell Chamber.
During this blessing, a prayer was offered:
Ring out Columba[i], Colman and Bega
Sound Hilda, Bede and Oswald
Peal Patrick, Aidan and Herbert
Call Cuthbert, Ninian and Kentigern
Resound Ailred[ii] and Maria[iii] long connected to this place
For your “sound is gone out into all lands, and your voice unto the ends of the world”[iv].
You have rung in celebration, in distress and in joy[v].
May you and your Ringers be blessed through the years calling all
To the praise and worship of God,
Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
[i] The bells that ring all have names and dedications. The names are key evangelists in the history of the diocese.
[ii] Also known as Eadred Lulisc (Eadred of Carlisle ) the abbot of Carlisle mentioned in the History of St Cuthbert
[iii] The Priory of St Mary became the Parish Church of St Mary and the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity at the Reformation “I Mary with pure accents ring, second in the chiming ring” was cast in 1401.
[iv] Based on Psalm 19:4 used in the Episcopal blessing of bells.
[v] Included in our history is the Jacobite times, and the bells being censored as a peal for a century.
