Lenten hymns: bell ringing

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CyrilSebastian

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What hymns could be used by the bell ringing choir during Lent?
 
tawny said:
There should be no bells rung during Lent.
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Not true.

Bells are silenced only after the Gloria on Holy Thursday evening, and remain so until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil.

Bells are rung as normal during Lent.

that said, I have no idea what the OP means by “bell ringing choir” with respect to hymns.
 
In my Archdiocese the bells are not rung at Mass during Lent; with exception of Solemnities/Laetare Sunday. What the OP means by “Bell Choir” is that some Parishes have a Bell Choir in which hymns are played instrumentally by the use of bells. Depending on your Diocese; during Lent musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing. One would need to reference the Ordo for their Diocese.
 
tawny said:
Depending on your Diocese; during Lent musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing. One would need to reference the Ordo for their Diocese.
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Check with your pastor.

At my parish, at the mass for which I play the organ, we are almost completely a capella during Lent. The congregation (and “choir”) doesn’t need the organ to support their singing. We use the organ for the opening hymn and the gospel acclamation only.

It’s awesome, because on Easter Sunday, not only does the organ return, but I bring my bells from school and we use them at mass! :bounce: Since our little (mostly children) choir doesn’t all read music, I’ve found a simplified way for them to add bells to a couple parts of mass.

“Giving up the bells for Lent” just makes the Easter Vigil and/or Sunday mass so much more special – which it should be! 👍
 
Our choir mistakenly sang Alleluia last weekend at Mass as the priest processed to the lectern for the Gospel reading. I’m certain that someone’s bell got rung after Mass. 😛
 
It all depends upon if the Diocese or Archdiocese considers bells an instrument or a liturgical tool. The Instruction on Music in the Liturgy from Vatican II, Musicam Sacram only prohibits the solo playing of instruments during specific seasons.

**65. In sung or said Masses, the organ, or other instrument legitimately admitted, can be used to accompany the singing of the choir and the people; it can also be played solo at the beginning before the priest reaches the altar, at the Offertory, at the Communion, and at the end of Mass.

The same rule, with the necessary adaptations, can be applied to other sacred celebrations.
  1. The playing of these same instruments as solos is not permitted in Advent, Lent, during the Sacred Triduum and in the Offices and Masses of the Dead.**
If the diocese considers the bell during the consecration an instrument, it is to be prohibited. If it is simply seen as a liturgical tool to draw attention to the consecration, it may be allowed. Hand bell choirs, as they are an ensemble of instruments, do not fall under this prohibition, as they are playing together. This prohibition also covers solo piano or organ playing, a fact which many churches seem to miss.

In all honesty, it is simply up to the discretion of the Bishop, as the Instruction does not make specific mention of instruments during the Consecration.

I have always followed the rule of thumb: When in doubt, ask the diocese. We must have faith that they know more than us and know what they are doing.
 
CRM Brother, Thank you for expressing that hand bell choirs do not fall under the prohibition.
 
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