Does your parish still use altar bells?

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No and we are not going to. I would have chosen “what are altar bells?” except our priest has said they aren’t necessary. The neighboring parish uses them and I think they are kind of nice. The other three parishes I went to Mass at also didn’t use them so I think it is a trend around here.
 
My geographic parish does not, but my secondary parish does.
 
The more orthodox parish does. Yay! 👍

The more heterodox parish does not. Boo! :mad:

I love the altar servers who really RING the bells vigorously! Like, 3 good long shakes for each consecration!
 
Brian123456 said:
We don’t use altar bells, steeple bells, nothing. No incense ever not even for funeral mass. Our physical church is so ‘sterile’ and was built so new age looking in architecture, style and function that we often remark to each other we are in a country club.

Also the Eucharist is tucked far out of the way - not centralized as was in my church growing up.

Also not one candle not even a sanctuary candle and other than Jesus on the cross (which isn’t even part of the altar but to the side) not one statue or image of any saint.

Sadly this is the trend. The children are not getting the entire experience at all by attending Mass. The Church, the Body is spiritual, physical and mental.

Where we worship can be anywhere but the environment should reflect our history, traditions and most of all glorify Him which my church doesn’t do by looking at it inside or out.

It looks like a combination country club/restaurant inside. Poor kids.
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Oh my what a shame. I have attended Catholic Mass for the past 67 years all over the world and never once heard Mass where bells weren’t rung at the Consecration of the Eucharist. What a shame for you and your fellow parishioners. You should get on the Parish Council and shake some sense into them. I really feel bad for you.
 
My current one does, for both the EF and the OF.
I had never seen the practice in my previous one, and both parishes are in the same city. :hmmm:
 
Every parish in my diocese uses altar bells, and many have two sets, one on either side of the altar, which are rung together or individually depending on the parish custom.
 
Not gonna lie, I voted “what’s an altar bell?” That was my honest thought though…

On the younger side.
 
lllj said:
Not gonna lie, I voted “what’s an altar bell?” That was my honest thought though…

On the younger side.
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Altar bells are small bells that are rung (usually by one of the servers) when the priest holds up the wafer and says the words “this is my body…” And then the cup of wine and says “this is the new covenant in my blood…” This act is called The Consecration and the bells tell all that the miracle of transubstantiation is occurring.
 
LegoGE1947 said:
Altar bells are small bells that are rung (usually by one of the servers) when the priest holds up the wafer and says the words “this is my body…” And then the cup of wine and says “this is the new covenant in my blood…” This act is called The Consecration and the bells tell all that the miracle of transubstantiation is occurring.
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Yeah I looked it up.

I am pretty sure that my last parish sometimes used altar bells, if I remember correctly, but definitely not consistently.
 
My parish didn’t, but then a couple of months back someone donated bells to our parish. Thank you, whoever you are!!!
We now have altar bells at every Mass - even if we have to ask someone to ring them during the day as there are no official altar servers for daily Mass - except for school Masses one day a week.
I love the bells!
Kris
 
Our whole diocese uses bells. I’ve never been to a mass that did not use altar bells. We perform a triple ring at the epiclesis, the elevations, and the consumption. Even if there are no trained servers available, there’s always a layperson who knows when to ring the bells. 🙂
 
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