When I journeyed to Assisi only to find its iconic Peace Bell silenced, I became determined to hear it ring again.
At one point a few years ago, I felt as if there was a hole in my heart. The news seemed to be only of war, and our political leaders only seemed ready to confront conflict with military madness. Longing for peace, I decided to go to Assisi (a short trip from my home in Italy) to ring the Peace Bell. I felt called to do this symbolic act of hope. Somebody, I thought, has to go and ring that Peace Bell!
So on a fall day, I drove along a quiet, hilly back road, full of curves and beautiful views of the Apennine mountains. The fields were dotted with olive groves and vineyards interlaced with woodlands and bed-and-breakfast inns, and the autumn light glowed soft and warm, unlike the torrid summer sun that pricks one’s skin.
Assisi, also known as the City of Peace, is the birthplace of Saint Francis. The town feels as if it is piled up upon itself, stone upon stone, shining like rose quartz and nestled into the hillside above the valley of Spoleto. As I approached the city that day, I first caught site of the Rocca Maggiore, a fortress dating to 1174. Soon afterward, the spectacular 13th-century Basilica of San Francesco came into view.
The Peace Bell is outside of the old walls of the city, not far from the basilica. It is supported by four granite columns, each representing a different religion: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. Designed by German artist Gerhard Kadletz, the bell is named Regina Pacis (Queen of Peace), and it is meant to unite the four religions to announce peace with one voice.
You can read more about my journey to ring the Peace Bell below. This story was published as a “Spiritual Journey” by Spirituality & Health Magazine (April/May 2025).
Feel free to share “Sacred Journeys: The Bell that Peals for Peace.” We sure do need more than ever to hear it ring!
Love and Will 
Reminds me of this song…
Anthem ~ Song by Leonard Cohen ‧ 1992
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be
Yeah, the wars
They will be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah, the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see
I can’t run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But they’ve summoned
They’ve summoned up a thundercloud
They’re gonna hear from me
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
You can add up the parts
You won’t have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart
Every heart to love will come
But like a refugee
[Chorus]
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
That’s how the light gets in
That’s how the light gets in
What an extraordinary story Catherine. You brought so much loving will to make sure the peace bell could ring once again.
Thank you Harriet. It has been quite the adventure. It all started in October 2022 and I met the artist in October 2023. I then wrote this piece, which was soon accepted by Health & Spirituality Magazine but only got published now. However, in May 2024 when I went back to the Peace Bell, the clapper was missing AGAIN! So I started to search for it again, only to be told that pilgrims had rung the bell so much and so hard that the clapper had fallen out! When I told the artist this, he said it was impossible because you actually need special tools to remove the clapper. Finally, after I brought all this to the attention of the Basilica, the clapper was replaced once more in October 2024. I recently returned in March 2025 and the bell was still intact and working, thank God!
What a thoughtful piece, as always. Inspiring. May this intention spread and be felt in everyone’s heart.
Thank you Amy.
What a thoughtful piece, Catherine, as always. Thank you for this inspiration. I share your wish and prayer for peace to spread throughout the world and be carried with intention.