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erik_none
Guest
I know we use them during the Mass to announce the commencement of the Mass and for the Eucharist but has anyone ever used them during home devotion? Or is that too close to Hinduism?
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Karen107
Guest
;I can’t help but think of that dinner bell my mother used to bring us into dinner… I kind of think that was a holy act…
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ServusHumilis
Guest
It’s used for a reason during Mass; why one would want to use them at home I’m not sure.
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CRM_Brother
Guest
The bells signify that significant event in the liturgy is taking place. They are also rung during the elevation of the monstrance during Benediction. If they are used within the liturgy of the Catholic Church, then the ringing of bells should be reserved for those times so as to not draw away from the solemnity of the action.
Bells can, however be used outside of the liturgy. They can be used to call faithful to mass, announce the election of a pope, herald the death of a bishop, or truly any event that carries religious significance. It is perfectly fine to use them in private devotion. I know of some prayer gatherings that use the bells to signal the revelation and closure of an icon.
In these cases, however, the bells are used to signal the solemnity of the moment to other people. If you are the only one praying, and you truly recognize the moment of solemnity, then the bells become extraneous. It is then just another empty action that draws your attention away from the solemn moment. For example, a priest doesn’t interrupt the Eucharistic prayer when he is saying mass in private to ring the bells because that would just drive his attention away from the sacrament at hand (in fact if a priest is saying mass publicly and there is no altar server he usually foregoes the bells all together) . So too must we focus on the spiritual reality of our prayer when we pray privately, rather than becoming wrapped up in minutia like whether a bell is or is not rung.
Bells can, however be used outside of the liturgy. They can be used to call faithful to mass, announce the election of a pope, herald the death of a bishop, or truly any event that carries religious significance. It is perfectly fine to use them in private devotion. I know of some prayer gatherings that use the bells to signal the revelation and closure of an icon.
In these cases, however, the bells are used to signal the solemnity of the moment to other people. If you are the only one praying, and you truly recognize the moment of solemnity, then the bells become extraneous. It is then just another empty action that draws your attention away from the solemn moment. For example, a priest doesn’t interrupt the Eucharistic prayer when he is saying mass in private to ring the bells because that would just drive his attention away from the sacrament at hand (in fact if a priest is saying mass publicly and there is no altar server he usually foregoes the bells all together) . So too must we focus on the spiritual reality of our prayer when we pray privately, rather than becoming wrapped up in minutia like whether a bell is or is not rung.
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erik_none
Guest
CRM, that makea total sense. 100%. But what about before and after? I want to start the 3 Hail Mary devotion in the morning and evening. Since I have a statue of Mother in my corner I would light a candle or incense and ring a small bell to signify the beginning of the devotion. Or any devotion in general.
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Bonnie
Guest
You can do whatever you want in your private devotions. For a long time I’ve meant to ring a bell at noon for the Angelus, but I’m just not organized enough. I don’t always know when it’s noon.
But I like bells and have quite a few. I ring them at random just for my enjoyment. I can’t pass a wind chime without giving it a nudge.
But I like bells and have quite a few. I ring them at random just for my enjoyment. I can’t pass a wind chime without giving it a nudge.
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CRM_Brother
Guest
In that case, it would be perfectly fine. It would be just like many of the other actions some faithful use to try to signal the change in focus from and external physical one to an internal spiritual one. This is just like a person kneeling at the beginning of personal prayer to try to focus their attention on their spiritual exercises or when some faithful kiss the small white crescent at the base of their thumbnail after making the sign of the cross to pay homage to Mary (the shape representing the moon upon which Mary stands in the book of Revelation) as the vessel through which the Word was incarnated.
If it helps you focus upon prayer, then by all means do whatever you need.
I must give you a piece of advice from my own prayer life. If the meaning of the action becomes lost in routine, I advise you change up your routine for the beginning of prayer and closing of prayer. For example, if you kneel just because you are about to start praying, not because you are taking that posture to call to mind the subservience and fealty to God as our Lord and King, then the kneeling has lost its meaning. In this case I would suggest trying different postures of prayer, like prostration or standing with your arms outstretched as Christ did when He both prayed in the Temple and taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer.
I hope this helps.
Br. Ben
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DarkLight
Guest
I don’t see why not. I tend to find that some opening action as a definitive “this is prayer time” is quite beneficial to my own devotions. It helps me put myself in the right frame of mind for devotions and shut out distractions.
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Mystical_Seeker
Guest
I’m with DL and CRM. It’s OK to ring bells at home for whatever reason strikes your fancy. We have some nice wind chimes because we like their “bell-like” sound.
It isn’t anything spooky or weird. If you like to ring a bell, dim the lights, light a candle, burn incense, or none of the above, while praying, then why not?
It isn’t anything spooky or weird. If you like to ring a bell, dim the lights, light a candle, burn incense, or none of the above, while praying, then why not?
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erik_none
Guest
In Hinduism they ring bells when they start their devotion to have the God of their choice look at them. I feel like this would be the equivalent. By ringing a small bell you’re announcing the beginning of your devotion. Obviously we wouldn’t need to ring a bell to get God’s or Mother Mary’s attention but I feel like it would be similar. It would signify that you’re spending time with them and they are listening.
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