Bowing during Ringing of Bells

[retire_early]

Do you mean a parliamentary debate? The yelling and bantering is the only thing that makes them worth watching!

Yes, that is what I was thinking of…just couldn’t think of the correct term. Those sessions are wild! They would be fun to hear…but the combination of interruptions, background cheers and yells, combined with the various British accents…I can’t understand a thing! :whacky:

 

[retire_early]

srfnolen;12754502..... I saw a choir member take her right hand:

I think of the movies of olden times where you might see a subject who, on bended knee before his lord, master or king, put is fist on his breast as an act of allegiance

We always did this pre-Vatican II days at Mass. Maybe see Luke 18:13? Douay-Rheims Bible:And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

Also, we were taught to do this when praying the Salve Regina:Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
R- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
We would strike our breasts once at each “O” exclamation after the name of Jesus.

I remember asking my dad, “What does ‘vale’ mean?” Growing up Catholic gave us a leg up on vocabulary, I think.

 

[Stephen_says]

Yes, that is what I was thinking of…just couldn’t think of the correct term. Those sessions are wild! They would be fun to hear…but the combination of interruptions, background cheers and yells, combined with the various British accents…I can’t understand a thing! :whacky:

I’ve heard, that the seats of the different sides of parliament are just far enough away from each other to prevent sword-thrusts!

 

[AngelusDomini]

I’ve heard, that the seats of the different sides of parliament are just far enough away from each other to prevent sword-thrusts!

If you look at a picture of the House of Commons, you’ll see a red line in front of the first benches. Members of the House may not cross over this line and enter the space between when Parliament is in session as the lines are traditionally two sword lengths apart and thus prevent duelling (although this is just a tradition).

As this thread is about bells it’s also worth noting that Big Ben is the name of the bell housed in the tower, not the tower itself.

 

[smead2942]

I am a new Catholic and sing in the choir. If one sits on the front row in choir we don’t have the honor of kneeling at appropriate times. However during the most recent mass I saw a choir member take her right hand, in a fist, and place in over her heart while bowing her head. This occurred when the Host and Blood were lifted and bells were rung. Where did this custom originate and can one elaborate on its significance? It’s very impressive and very beautiful.

Thank you,
srfnolen

During the consecration, if unable to kneel, one should bow when the priest genuflects and strike their breast three times (which is an expression of humility and sorrow for sin).

This was more common before and immediately after Vatican II, but I’ve noticed more and more people are reverting to the practice again.

 

[TimothyH]

In early 20th century Europe, the bells were a signal to the manly men outside the church to put out their cigarettes, come inside and pray the Pater Noster with the rest of the people.

-Tim-