World’s Largest Ringing Bell Arrives at the Port of Santos, Set for Basilica Installation in Goiás

The world’s largest ringing bell, Vox Patris—Latin for “Voice of the Father”—arrived at the Port of Santos at 2:33 p.m. this Saturday (May 17). Weighing 55 tonnes and standing four meters tall, the bell will be installed at the new Basilica of the Divine Eternal Father (Basílica do Divino Pai Eterno) in Trindade, in the state of Goiás.

The bell was manufactured by Rduch Bells & Clocks in Poland, costing approximately R$ 17 million. Its construction spanned from 2014 to 2017, with supporting components finalized as recently as 2023.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine delayed its shipment. The bell was officially presented on March 23 and then shipped from the Port of Gdańsk. It arrived at the BTP terminal in the Alemoa district of Santos at 9:00 a.m. on Friday. It was then unloaded onto a truck for land transport.

Alongside the Vox Patris, two additional bells—São João (9.6 tonnes) and São Lucas (5.6 tonnes)—were also disembarked. They were packed in three containers, which held the bells’ supporting metal structures.

Windlog, a São Paulo-based logistics company with operations in various locations, including the Port of Santos, handled the international logistics operation.

Windlog’s manager in Goiânia, Viviane Sarkis, called the journey “a story of faith.” “In 2018, I prayed to the Eternal Father to let me be responsible for this transport,“ she shared.

The company stated that due to the bell’s size and weight, special permits and scheduled transport windows will be required for its journey to Goiás.

The Vox Patris was designed with eight engraved images by artist Silvio Morais from Goiás. The illustrations depict the history of the Romaria do Divino Pai Eterno (Pilgrimage to the Divine Eternal Father), which began in 1840. The bell’s installation marks a key milestone in constructing the new basilica.

Religious Celebrations

Several religious celebrations will accompany the bell’s arrival. On May 24 at 5:30 p.m., Bishop Tarcísio Scaramussa will celebrate a thanksgiving mass at the Cathedral of Santos. Another mass will occur on May 31 at 7:00 p.m. at the Queen of Peace Military Cathedral. A third will be held on June 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the sanctuary in Trindade.

Source: A Tribuna

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