The St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation proudly announces the successful inauguration of the newly-cast bell, Carola Francisca, marking a historic and significant moment in the ongoing conservation and enhancement of one of Malta's most revered landmarks. The bell, created by the internationally-renowned Royal Eijsbouts Bellfoundry in Asten, Netherlands, was blessed during a special ceremony held on Saturday, 21 June.
This initiative, decades in the making, addressed a long-standing tonal anomaly within the co-cathedral's historic bell ensemble. The original bell in question, cast in 1702 by Luca Menville, the master founder of the Order of St John, had for years presented challenges to the harmonic integrity of the peal. Due to its atypically thin profile and acoustically incompatible structure, the bell could not be tuned to blend with the surrounding 17th and 18th century bells, causing a perceptible discordance that had persisted for over four decades. Therefore, Carola Francisca will be joining this ensemble, next to Grandmaster's Pinto bell.
The inauguration of this bell was marked by a special Bell Blessing Ceremony at St John's Co-Cathedral. The event commenced with a solemn opening hymn by Mro Chris Muscat's Choir. Professor Monsignor Emmanuel Agius, president of the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, also addressed those present, stating that: "This addition to the bell ensemble is not merely a technical correction, but a symbolic renewal of the co-cathedral's acoustic identity. It is also a reaffirmation of the Foundation's ongoing commitment to excellence in the conservation of heritage artifacts."
Dr Owen Bonnici, Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, was present at the ceremony and remarked that the new bell at St John's Co-Cathedral is more than a musical instrument - it is a symbol of reverence for our spiritual and cultural heritage. Minister Bonnici added that, with this bell, we continue to embellish a sacred space that embraces beauty, art and faith. He thanked the Foundation and Kevin Cauchi for their dedicated efforts in giving a new voice to the greatness of St John's.
After the blessing, Monsignor Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, reflected on the significance of the event, noting that this new bell is a call, not only to the harmonious soundscape of the Cathedral, but also to the tone within everyone's heart, one that calls for unity, peace and community.
He went on to quote a verse from the Maltese national anthem, praying: Seddaq il-għaqda fil-Maltin u s-sliem. Archbishop Scicluna concluded: "We pray that this bell becomes God's voice that reaches our hearts and invites us closer to Him."
With Carola Francisca, the co-cathedral's bells will now ring in greater harmony, carrying forward their spiritual and civic resonance into a new century.