In 1980, a century and a half after our Blessed Mother manifested the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Laboure, the praise and prayerful best wishes continued to ring forth loud and clear here at the Shrine. On the side of the venerable old "Seminary Church," a seven-story Angelus Tower was built. On top of the tower three perfectly matched bells were placed. The bells are over 100 years old and weigh 2 1/2 tons. They were removed some years ago from a church which was built by some of the first Catholic families to come to the Midwest. The bells had been carefully preserved here at the Shrine waiting to be placed in the tower. By the spring of 1980, the three large, magnificent bells, cast in Saint Louis a century ago by expert craftsmen, rang out daily the angelic message: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, Jesus." They also ring on many other joyous occasions here at the Shrine.
The graceful campanile which points up to heaven like hands clasped in prayer,
is 75 feet high. The architecture matches the facade of the 150 year old
"Church of the Assumption," which is now the Chapel of the National Shrine
of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
On March 25, the feast of the Annunciation and the "First Angelus," the tower
was blessed and dedicated to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The names of
all those who helped in any way to build the tower were sealed permanently in
its walls.
The lovely Angelus Tower is a gift to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal from
Promoters, members, and friends of our Lady's Association.
Continue on with your tour by entering the inside of the
Church.
Begin your Tour
|
