Bells at mass

[SnorterLuster]

We have not only the altar bells but during the consecration of the Body and of the Blood, the bell in the steeple is also rung from the initial genuflection, through the elevation, and then thruough the final genuflection.

 

[donosti]

In my church,bells are still ringing at Mass.When I was younger I was an altar boy,and I used to ring them.Also I was a bell ringer for two years,I used to climb the bell tower and ring the bells.:yup:

 

[AltarMan]

paulsp8:

In the Middle Ages or “Dark Ages” as some have described it, the people were separated from the priest saying Mass by a rather high wall. As ages passed it was lowered to what we see now -( a communion rail). At that early time, at the Consecration, bells were rung to alert the people to see the ‘raised host’. Today, bells are rung to alert us as to what is happening in case we were engrossed in other thoughts. I deem it a gracious sound to assure that we participate in this Holy Mass. God Bless! PJ

It is wrong to suggest that sanctus bells were rung because of a “high wall”, or to alert people inside the church.

They were/are rung principally to make a joyful sound to the Lord (Psalm 98:4: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!) and to alert those outside of the church that something miraculous (the confection of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ) was taking place inside the building.

A good read on Sanctus Bells

 

[Adonia]

cmejia:

For a few months now I have not heard the bells that accompany the consecration. This took place, I think, as the priest touched one knee to the floor after saying “we do this in menory of you”. These were rung by the altar boy. I may not be rembering exactly when this took place but I have not heard these bells recently at two Churches we attend. It almost seems to have stopped at the time Pope John Paul died. Thanks for any light you can shed.

Cindy

They don’t ring them at my Church, but I hear them in my head anyway. I did like to hear the actual ringing though. I think something is lost by not having them

 

[LindaS]

We didn’t use to have bells, then we got a new pastor and we now have the bells! He also wears a cassock! And he’s young! It appears that the younger priests are more orthodox than the guys who went through seminary in the 60s & 70s. Our pastor spent some time in Rome and has some of the most beautiful vestments I’ve ever seen. Maybe someday we’ll get our altar rail back.

Peace,
Linda

 

[Peace_Pilgrim]

Karin:

I wonder why so many Churches have done away with the bells at Mass. From my experience the Churches that do not ring the bells have had a mediocre Mass, mediocre religious classes and parishioners have a “cafeteria Catholic” view of the Church. (this is MHO only from what I have seen at the Parishes we have belonged too)

Hmmm, Karin, I think there’s truth to what you say.

Tomorrow, when I go to daily Mass, I will have a much greater appreciation of the Sanctus bells. Today, as a member of our stewardship team, we visited a church with a successful stewardship program. Let’s just say it is located in a “fashionable, upscale” area with high-profile celebrities as parishioners.

There were no bells!

I missed them very, very much. The two churches that I regularly attend have bells and they are rung with vigor. I often smile at the enthusiasm with which they are rung. Today, I was standing behind a very tall, large man and could not see that the host and chalice were being elevated. I felt a bit “lost” without the prompting of the bells and was a few beats behind with “My Lord, My God. Do on to me according to Thy Will. I sacrifice all of me to You.”

Maybe I’m still new and impressionable, but the sound of the bells gives me goosebumps. Theirs is truly a joyful sound that makes me so joyful inside, as they signal that Heaven has opened up and Our Lord is in our midst and has come to us. What a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving!

The other surprise was that the band (drums and guitar) and singers were front and center in the sanctuary, between the altar and the tabernacle. This area has a lot of show-biz folks, but for my worshipping taste, although the depth of talent was evident and the music, exceptional, their placement was a major distraction to the purpose of the Mass.

I may be a new Catholic, but I am old-fashioned when it comes to keeping Jesus as THE sole focus. It is not about “us” - it’s all about Him! Thank goodness, our usual churches have the musicmakers (singers, pianist, organist, etc) in the wings or in the back in the choir loft where IMHO they belong as enhancers of the worship.

I highly recommend visiting other churches. Our little jaunt today made me so appreciate what we have at our usual churches. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

As for your no bells and “cafeteria Catholic” correlation, I must say there might be something to it. This afternoon as I “googled” information on the church and its pastor, I came across an LA Times report that, at a priests’ meeting, the pastor of this church we visited has suggested that the Church ordain women, as well as married men, to the priesthood. I will pray for this pastor.

Tomorrow morning, I will not only be happy to hear the joyful bells at our unostentatiously humble, “old-fashioned” church, but I will be doubly appreciative of our non-cafeteria pastor and priests who uphold the significance of celibacy and who as men of God are “dedicated to God, church and family with an undivided heart.” May God bless them abundantly!

Thank you to the contributors of this thread. I learned a lot, especially from reading the article on Sanctus bells. There is a pdf file of the same article but with pictures of these bells here.