bells

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happy10

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We have moved and the new parish we have been trying does not ring any bells while the Priest is saying the words of Christ during the Eucharistic prayer. We thought this was done in every church. We never have been to a Mass when this is not done. Is this right?
 
The bells are not rung in our parish. The mass is said in the vernacular so they are not necessary.
 
We are slowly bringing them back. They are very subdued, but still audible.
 
Not saying that this is the reason but…

Our parish is a traditional one and they ring the bells and the alterboys kneel in front with candles.

We sometimes attend a more charismatic church where they do not ring the bells but the alter servers kneel in front (without candles). This church, however, just completed their new church building and moved the tabernacle to the center and has real bells in their belfry that ring at the start of mass and at the Angelus so maybe they will bring the bells back during the mass. 🙂
 
It is an option that the celebrant is free to use or not use.

We had always had them at our parish - as far as I know. Then we got a new priest. From his first Mass at our parish onward the bells were not rung.

At first I missed them. But now, I get goosebumps at the Consecration more often than not. I don’t know why, but it is so reverently, so solemnly done, that bells would almost spoil the sacred silence. Give it a chance.
 
Well guess what in free China (SAR) we have Daqing (磬). At the purple liturgy times (Lent, Advent) the bowl is placed on top of a purple instead of red cusion. Bells are used for special feasts or occasions.
 
happy10 said:
We have moved and the new parish we have been trying does not ring any bells while the Priest is saying the words of Christ during the Eucharistic prayer. We thought this was done in every church. We never have been to a Mass when this is not done. Is this right?
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The use of bells is optional so your new parish isn’t doing anything illicit. You may find this article interesting.
 
I would agree that it varies by parish and area. I have been to many Catholic churches throughout the U.S. In the midwest, where I am, few Catholic churches that I have been in ring bells at the Consecration; in some other areas of the country, it appears to occur more frequently. As other posters said, it seems to depend on how “traditional” the masses are and also on the wishes of the Pastor/Celebrant. Although the Mass is the same in its essentials wherever I go, there can be significant differences in the atmosphere, mood and “setting”. And that can even vary depending on which Mass you attend at a particular parish.

From my overall experience I would guess that not using bells today is more common than using them. I sometimes thought of it as a way of alerting (or waking up) people who weren’t paying attention. Anyone truly participating in the Mass should not need a bell to get them to focus on what is about to happen.
 
Here is an article pro and con

ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur94.htm

When I was child in Hungary even the bells in the tower were tolled for the consecration so everyone even outside of the town could know that Christ born among us.

In the Church what I attend naturally the servers ring the bell and kneel behind the priest elevating his fiddleback chasuble. That is new rite mass, the priests turn toward the tabernacle.

I suppose the churches which do not ring the bell have the tabernacle hidden and believe that people are more important then our Lord who is present, the ringing is replaced by the acclamation after the mysterium fidei.
 
Philomeena said:
The bells are not rung in our parish. The mass is said in the vernacular so they are not necessary.
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What the vernacular have to do with it, the ringing of the bells is a sign of joy and that transends language.
 
Brendan said:
What the vernacular have to do with it, the ringing of the bells is a sign of joy and that transends language.
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Before the Mass was in the vernacular, it was not uncommon for people to be praying the rosary or the Stations of the Cross during Mass. Ringing the bells during the Consecration was a way of getting their attention.
 
Brendan said:
What the vernacular have to do with it, the ringing of the bells is a sign of joy and that transends language.
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From the article from EWTN linked in a previous post.
The birth of the custom of a signal bell at the consecration, probably during the 13th century, had more to do with the recitation of the canon in a low voice than to the language of the Mass as such.
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Jim
 
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