Bell Pealing for Notre Dame Cathedral

On Saturday, December 7, the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown, Ohio, will peal its bells at 2pm ET, coinciding with the Rite of Opening the Doors of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, whose doors had been closed since the devastating fire of April 15, 2019.

The Diocese of Youngstown was invited to join the celebration by pealing cathedral and shrine bells throughout the United States.

Through a special online collection established by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in 2019, the faithful of our nation contributed more than one half million dollars toward the restoration of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, which like Mary’s Shrine, is dedicated to Our Lady.

In support of this initiative, USCCB President, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, commented, “in addition to the funds donated, this gesture of uniting our local Churches with the Cathedral of Paris would be one more sign of our union to the eldest daughter of the Church whose forefathers contributed so much to the U.S. struggle for Independence.”

Please join us in celebrating the reopening of this iconic cathedral that holds a special place in the hearts of all believers and people of good will throughout the world.