BELMONT, N.C., Oct. 6, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The sound of gratitude rang out from the heart of Belmont Abbey College's campus at noon today during the dedication and blessing of its new Gratitude Bell. The dedication event drew a large crowd of students, faculty, staff, monks and visitors.
The idea behind the Gratitude Bell is simple. When anyone rings the bell in gratitude for one of God's blessings, the sound will echo across campus causing others on campus to reflect on the blessings in their lives. "Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is a gift from God. Too often we dwell on what we don't have, rather than focusing on the infinite gifts God has given us. The Gratitude Bell is a way of showing our thankfulness for all the many blessings, big and small, in our lives," said Dr. Bill Thierfelder president of the college. "Each day between noon and 3 p.m., anyone is invited to strike the bell in thanksgiving for some blessing in his or her life. It is our hope that this will become a long standing tradition that will strengthen our students, faculty, staff, alumni, monks and visitors in the virtue of gratitude."
Generous donors purchased the bell, originally forged by the McShane Foundry Company of Baltimore, Maryland in 1915 with the inscription "Holy Name" on its side. Located near the campus cafeteria on the residential side of the Belmont Abbey College campus, students will gather at noon to pray the Angelus and officially open the hours of gratitude from noon to 3pm each day. Ranked in the top 10 in the south by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont Abbey College has its roots in the Catholic Benedictine tradition, and the essence of gratitude already permeates the small private college that began humbly in 1876 with a few students and a few monks, and now has grown to more than 1500 students from across the country and around the globe.
"We encourage other colleges, churches and institutions across the country to join us in fostering the virtue of gratitude within their communities," said Abbot Placid, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College. "Our hope is that our initiative focused on gratitude can influence a broader campaign that impacts the national demeanor in a positive way."
Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts institution founded by Benedictine monks in 1876. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu or www.abbeyathletics.com.
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