No Bells at Mass

[Mrs_Sally]

Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Wasn’t the original purpose of the ringing of the bells during consecration started in Cathedrals and large churches with many chapels. I thought they were used to alert those in the smaller chapels in private meditation so they would know that the consecration was taking place.

Again…this was something I read a long time ago. If anyone can provide more info…that would be great.

This is correct. The altar bells were also to alert to bell ringer in the tower, who would then ring the big bells. This alerted the townsfolk or those out in the fields to stop for a moment of prayer during the consecration.

It is true that in modern churches with good sound systems and a priest speaking the local language, that it is not necessary to alert the folks in Mass when the consecration is taking place. Since the rubrics do not state that the bells MUST be used, it is not disobedience on any priest’s part to not use them.

That said, I do like them and find they add an extra bit of joy to the moment of consecration.

 

[ljubim]

As a kid, there was no bells in my church. When we moved, the bells were quite a suprise.

My current parish uses the bells. I went to a different one for my cousin’s baptism…no bells.

Some use 'em, some don’t. It started in the middle ages when people wanted to know exactly when something important was taking place. When the masses were in latin, many people had no idea!

I’ve been to Latin Masses and even if there were no bells it’s clear what’s going on

 

[JReducation]

I like some bells, if they are properly constructed. Some are of poor quality and are best left unrung. They sound tinsy. (Is that word?)

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[CB_Catholic]

We don’t use them, and I must confess that I am not particularly fond of them, I find them rather jarrring in the silence and they break my concentration. But that’s just me.