In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day -- Basilica to ring its bell that woke up Olean to the big news

Basilica of St Mary of the Angels' bell (largest in the city) will ring for five minutes in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the morning it sounded to wake up city residents to the news that the Great War (World War I) was over. While the bell rings, the congregation and all who wish to attend from the public will be invited to silent prayer for peace and for protection of those in the military serving in harm’s way. Militry Veterans and active service men and and women are invited to ring the bell at 11:00AM.

WHEN: 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018  (11th hour of 11th day of 11th month)

WHERE: Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

119 W. Henley Street | Olean, NY

INVITATION: Military veterans in the community are invited to help ring the bell in the basilica. The public is invited to the Mass immediately following. The Basilica invites all other institutions in the region with bells to join the ringing at 11a.m. in commemoration of the historic anniversary as the congregation continues to pray for peace. St. Bonaventure University, St. John the Evangelist Church, St. Philomena Church are among institutions that will join us in rining their bells. 

What happened 100 years ago? 

In the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 11, 1918, Olean alert whistles blew and newspaper boys hit the streets shouting. The pastor of St. Mary of the Angels, Rev. Edward Rengel, awoke to the clamor outdoors and immediately ran across the street to ring the church's giant bell 100 times without ceasing so there was no doubt in anyone's mind within its 2-mile audible range: The Great War was over!

This was how sleepy Olean residents first heard of the news that the conflict we know as World War I had ended. That morning of what was called Armistice Day, other city bells joined in ringing in the joyous news. Shops, schools and factories closed as thousands of citizens poured onto Union Street in celebration. The peace that everyone had so longed for and prayed for had finally come. 

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of this historic morning in Olean, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels' giant bell will ring once again--this time at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month so that those within its audible range can enjoy the joyful peal exactly as people 100 years ago heard. 

This bell, the largest in the city, will be rung by military veterans for five minutes. As they did exactly 100 years ago, the congregation will gather for Mass which will begin with the bell ringing accompanied by prayer including the very same Prayer for Peace which this Olean parish community prayed a century ago. The congregation will follow with silent prayer for peace for our families, our community, our nation, our world and within our hearts. As the bell rings, prayers will also be offered for all those in active military service, especially those in harm's way.

“I think this idea is terrific, just terrific,” said David Deckman, City of Olean Historian, concerning the basilica’s commemoration plans. “It’s perfect,” he said noting that the basilica offers citizens a facility in which to gather that day--a place that played an important role in announcing the joyous news a century ago.

“And everyone will get to hear exactly what the folks 100 years ago heard,” said Jennifer Kane, who authored the recently published basilica history book, A Place Set Apart. “Ringing joyous news is one task this bell was blessed to do when it was first installed in the west belfry in 1915,” she said. “We repeat that joy mixed with thanksgiving with every ring on November 11th. And because this bell is blessed,” she added, "its ring intones a prayer as well—one for peace, which is still of concern to us today.” 

The basilica invites military veterans to take turns ringing this largest bell in the city for 5 minutes. They are asked to arrive in the front vestibule by 10:45am. The public is also welcome to the Mass immediately following. The Basilica invites all other institutions in the region with bells to join the ringing at 11a.m. for five minutes in commemoration of the historic anniversary heralding peace.

PRAYER FOR PEACE:

Pope Benedict XV promoted this Prayer for Peace during World War I. It was printed in St. Mary of the Angels’ monthly bulletin.

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils past, present and to come; 
and by the intercession of the Blessed and glorious Mary ever Virgin, Mother of God,
together with Thy blessed Apostles Peter, Paul and Andrew, and all the Saints, 
graciously grant peace in our days; 
that by the assistance of Thy mercy, we may always be free from sin, and secure from all disturbance. 
May the peace of the Lord always be with us. 
Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

ORDER OF CELEBRATION:

10:45 a.m. Military veterans in place lined up along the western nave aisle.

10:55 a.m. James Bardonette will explain at the pulpit the meaning behind ringing the bell. He is a descendant of the godmother of WWII hero and Olean native, Louis Zamparini (who was baptized by Fr. Rengel at St. Mary’s in 1917). Mr. Bardonette will also explain that as the bell rings, the congregation will immediately pray together the very Prayer for Peace (printed in bulletin) this congregation prayed 100 years ago. This will be followed by silent prayer for peace and for God’s protection of those in the military serving in harm’s way.

11:00 a.m. Military veterans lined up along the western nave aisle to take turns ringing the bell over the course of 5 minutes.

Mr. Bardonette will invite the congregation to join him in praying aloud Pope Benedict XV’s Prayer for Peace which this congregation prayed 100 years ago.

Silent prayer begins. 

11:05 a.m. After the last toll, Mass begins as normal

Photo:  Downtown Olean crowd fills Union Street the morning of November 11, 1918 a few hours after St. Mary’s bell rang 100 times signaling the big news: the Great War was over. Photo published in the local Sandpumpings historical magazine [vol. 3 no. 1. Olean High School, 1976].  It will repeat its performance on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11a.m. for a 5-minute rendition of its herald a century ago.