On greeting the Polish pilgrims, after his catechesis during today’s General Audience, October 27, 2021, the Pope mentioned that earlier he had blessed the bells called “The Voice of the Unborn,” destined to Ecuador and Ukraine.
“At the request of the Polish Foundation ‘Yes to Life,” I blessed bells today bearing the name ‘The Voice of the Unborn.’ Their destiny is Ecuador and Ukraine,” said the Holy Father.
“May it be for these and all nations a sign of commitment to the defense of human life from conception to natural death. May their sound proclaim to the world the “Gospel of Life,” awaken consciences and the memory of the unborn,” he added. “I entrust to your prayer every child conceived, whose life is sacred and inviolable. I bless you from my heart,” he concluded.
The Pontiff referred to the initiative of the bells in the General Audience of September 23, 2020, and he made an appeal to lawmakers: “Their voice will awaken the consciences of lawmakers and of all people of goodwill in Poland and throughout the world.”
“The Voice of the Unborn”
According to the Italian edition of “Vatican News,” “The voice of the Unborn” is promoted by the Polish Foundation “Yes to Life” of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, which works in the defense of the unborn. Engraved on the bells are the words of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko: “The life of a child begins under the heart of its mother,” but also those of the 5th commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.”
The bells, which the Pope blessed today, will be sent to the Saint John Paul II parish in Lviv, Ukraine, and to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The birth of the bells
The bells that will go to Ecuador and Ukraine were cast in Jan Felczyński’s workshop in Przemysl. These are the next foundries, whose creation was initiated by the Foundation of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM for the YES TO LIFE. The first “Voice of the Unborn” bell was created exactly one year ago and was also blessed by Pope Francis. Currently on pilgrimage in Poland and has visited about 30 towns and cities in the country. The idea has also gained international momentum. The bells have rich symbolism. On the outer wall, there is an ornament in the form of a DNA chain, which reflects the genetic code of the parents, and the ultrasound mold of a conceived child. There is also a mold of plaques that symbolize the Decalogue and, among other things, the words of the fifth commandment: “You shall not kill!
“On the bell are written the words of the defender of life, Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko:” the life of a child begins in the mother’s womb “, and the commandment of God” You shall not kill! ” – These are messages that will speak for all those who do not have the right to express themselves, ”explains Bogdan Romaniuk, vice president of the SÍ A LA VIDA Foundation.
