Fall 2014

The bells of Madonna della Strada

By: Anastasia Busiek

The Lake Shore Campus is about to get more musical. Loyola is having four bells cast and installed in the Madonna della Strada Chapel, thus completing the vision of James Mertz, S.J.

Each of the bells will be inscribed with a dedication to an individual or group who is an important part of the history of the chapel.

The first and largest bell, the Ignatius Bell, is a gift from Charles A. Whittingham, a 1951 graduate of Loyola (read about him on page 13).

The Cecilia Bell is a gift from those who will celebrate their wedding at Madonna della Strada.

The Joseph Bell is a gift from Loyola’s Jesuit community and is dedicated to Saint Joseph Mary Pignatelli, S.J., on the 200th anniversary of the Restoration of the Society of Jesus.

Loyola is seeking support from the Madonna della Strada community for the James Bell, which will be dedicated to the leader behind the original construction of this iconic chapel, Father Mertz.

These bells will forever enhance Madonna della Strada, recently voted one of the most beautiful college chapels in the world.