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
And today we celebrate...
