The bell for Pope Francis visit to Sarajevo
09.06.2015.
Metal Product foundry from Zagreb cast the bell which rang during the visit of the Holy Father to Sarajevo. The bell weighs 320 kilograms, and it produces a clear B note. It was donated by the Šafran family from Zagreb for the Solemn Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which was held on 6 June 2015 in the city situated along the Miljacka River. After the visit of the Holy Father, the bell will be a lasting donation to the parish church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Grbavica, a quarter of the city of Sarajevo.
Not only does the bell sound wonderful, but it also has numerous decorations. One side of the bell is decorated with the papal coat of arms, while the other is embellished with the symbol of the Society of Jesus. The bell also contains the Croatian wattle and oak leaves, which can be found on all bells cast by this foundry.
TThe bell bears the following text:
“In honour of St. Francis Xavier, the Patron of Catholic Missions, this bell is donated by 'Metal Product' and the family of Stjepan Šafran from Zagreb to the parish church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Grbavica. This bell was cast for the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to Sarajevo and the Catholics of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 6 June 2015. It was cast by Josip Tržec in Zagreb, in 2015.”
Without a doubt, the bell casting process is our heritage and a centuries-old tradition of the Croatian casting masters. It is the same as it was centuries ago, and this craft is considered to be a true art.
