The bells that tolled in prayer

I refer to the letter Tears And Sadness by Mary Smith (April 5).

Ms Smith seems very upset, both by the non-ringing of bells (and later by their ringing - what does the woman want?) and by the apparent bacchanalia that seemed to have unfolded inside and outside St George's basilica in Victoria. What nonsense!

She must either have been somnambulating or else on the threshold of sleep made visible when, on April 2 at around 10 p.m., she drove to Victoria after news of the Pontiff's demise spread like wild fire across the world.

Had Ms Smith really entered the basilica at the time she mentions she would have witnessed a totally different scene from the one she claims to have suffered. St George's big historic bell had been ringing hourly since 7.30 a.m. that day, summoning people to pray for the ailing Pontiff. At 9.55 p.m. it was this same bell that announced to the whole of Gozo the passing on to eternal life of our beloved Pope. It continued to "toll the knell of parting day" of our spiritual father by ringing 11 strokes for 11 times - an ancient custom observed by St George's basilica since time immemorial on the death of a Pope. Afterwards, the whole set of bells tolled in collective prayer.

I was standing right at the back of the square, hearing the aristocratic tones of our bells. I stood there between 10 and 10.50 p.m. Presumably all the bells of Gozo were tolling at that time, but anyone who has had the fortune, or misfortune, to hear St George's bells ringing from the square is well aware that it is well nigh impossible to hear anything else. Of course, this does not mean that the "famous bells from England" were not being rung. I am sure they were, but I heard nothing.

As for the apparent Dionysion riot unfolding inside and outside the basilica, it is just not true. I was there. The basilica was thronged to suffocating with pilgrims praying until 10.30 p.m. Outside, people appeared from every nook and cranny. There is something magnetic about the place. Young and old hurried towards the basilica, while others were coming out, after some two and a half hours of worship. Bells were ringing, hymns were being sung inside the basilica.

There was agitation, of course. There was also an air of disbelief, even though the outcome of the Pontiff's ailing health had been expected; there were stunned faces and known voluble people were crippled into vocal immobility. Most of them stopped by my side, staring at the bell tower, crying in genuine grief. Did Ms Smith hear the collective silence that spoke volumes? It was very audible.

I know because I was there. My feet took me to St George's basilica, as they are wont to do regularly, even for much lesser occasions. It is my second home. If Ms Smith's intentions are to distort and disfigure a very honest picture of what happened that Saturday night, then it is hardly the thing to do at such a sacred, profoundly meaningful time for all the people of the world. She would have been wiser to stay in idyllic Gharb and "left the world to darkness and to me". Let's have more sound and less noise.