Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Tuesday 05 November |
Saint of the Day: Bl. María del Carmen Viel Ferrando
Aleteia logo

The legend of the widow’s bell

Photo of the Day | published on 07/25/17
LAKE BLED CHURCH

Pawel Uchorczak | Shutterstock

Photo of the Day: July 25, 2017

The Church of the Assumption of Mary is located on an island in the middle of Lake Bled in Slovenia. The church’s origins date back to the 12th century, and it has undergone many reconstructions due to earthquakes. In the 15th century the church was consecrated by the first Bishop of Ljubljana, Ziga Lamberg.

The Legend of the Widow’s Bell

According to legend, a young widow named Poliksena saved all of her money to have a bell cast for the church in memory of her late husband. While being transported from the foundry the bell was lost when the ship sank in a violent storm on the lake. It is said that the bell still rings from the depths to this day. Heartbroken, Poliksena left for Rome and entered a convent. Upon her death, the pope (possibly Pope Leo X), touched by her story, consecrated a new bell and sent it to the church where it rings today. It is said that whoever rings the bell and gives honor to the Blessed Mother receives the answer to a prayer.

Photograph by Pawel Urshoczak via Shutterstock


Tags:
Catholicism
2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.