Question on Bells at Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter Figment713
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Figment713

Guest
…but if I don’t ask it, I simply will go on being curious about the practice.

(Please, allow me to first excuse my stupidity by stating the fact that while I have been attending mass for a long time now, I am only in about my 7th week of RCIA classes. Could be the below question will ultimately be answered, but, well, why wait?)

During the Eucharistic Prayers during mass there are two occasions on which bells are run by the Alter Boys/Girls. What is that all about?

Also, the “Through Him, With Him, In Him…in the unity of The Holy Spirit…” part. Why is that chanted/sung by the priest?

I’m sorry if this is stuff that I should know. I simply do not, nor do I know if a clear place to go look it up.

Thank you very much for your time.
 
Your question is not dumb at all – you simply lived too late for the full significance of the bells. They were originally rung at the consecration to let those who had to work in the fields know that the consecration was taking place. Those bells, obviously, were not the small hand bells currently in use in a few parishes. However, they are used to call those who may have allowed their minds to wander back to the awesome mystery taking place on the altar.

The “through Him, with Him and in Him” chant reminds us that everything done to glorify God is done “through Him, with Him and in Him” where the “Him” is Jesus Christ Himself.

Deacon Ed
 
The bells at the consecration are a traditional custom to alert the congregation that the consecration is taking place. This custom was particularly helpful when the Mass was in Latin to alert the faithful to the presence of Christ on the altar. It is practiced today as a form of giving reverence for Jesus as the bread and wine become his Body and Blood.

At one time the whole of the Mass was sung, and still is by some priests. The part you cited is part of the Great Amen following the consecration, which is a high point in the Mass, which is why many priests sing this part today, including those at my parish–that is by those who are able to.

Don’t be shy about asking such questions of your RCIA leaders or your sponsor. If they don’t know (not everyone does) please do come here and ask us. We like to show off our knowledge! 😛
 
I’m not sure if all parishes still use the bells. Ours uses them in the traditional way. They are first rung at the beginning of the Epiclesis, when the priest extends is hands, palms down, over the chalice and the paten. They are rung again at the consecration.

I’ve heard that in medieval times, in those large churches, there were no pews, and the churches were crowded with people, so it was difficult to see what was going on. The bells were rung to alert the congregation that the consecration was about to take place.

The great Amen, preceded by "Through Him, With Him, In Him, etc) summarizes and concludes the Eucharistic prayer.
 
No a bad question at all. I attended my first mass so long ago and I had no idea what the answer was. Thank you for asking and thanks for everyone who answered. :clapping:

I learn so much from all of you. 🙂
  • Kathie :bowdown:
 
I was also told that in the 15th Century or so, the only pews were those purchased by the rich so they sat in their pews (up front) so the rest had to stand in the big Cathedrals but also because the Priest said the Mass with his back to everyone or behind a screen so when the Consecration occurred, only those in the Sanctuary knew it had happened so in order to let all know about it (that Jesus was now present in the Eucharist), the bells were rung 🙂

BTW, a wonderful question. I a pretty well informed Cradle Catholic learned something too (that is why I like these forums and EWTN q&a - they are two of my sources for knowledge).

Brenda V.
 
but also because the Priest said the Mass with his back to everyone or behind a screen so when the Consecration occurred, only those in the Sanctuary knew it had happened so in order to let all know about it (that Jesus was now present in the Eucharist), the bells were rung
Click to expand...
It goes beyond that, during the latin mass epoch, many of the faithful were engaged in the rosary or other devotions during mass, it wasn’t until the 19th century that missals for the folks to follow along were available.

Those folks wouldn’t know how the mass was progressing without the bells.
 
Thanks very much to everyone who answered my question.

(I would ask these things at RCIA, but there doesn’t seem to be a BIT of encouragement to ask questions at all…and I don’t have a sponsor yet.)

Thanks again. 🙂
 
Remember also that until 1967, the Canon of the Mass was entirely inaudible and could not be heard by anyone in the congregation, usually not even the altar server.
 
40.png
Chatter163:
Remember also that until 1967, the Canon of the Mass was entirely inaudible and could not be heard by anyone in the congregation, usually not even the altar server.
Click to expand...
Well, I woudn’t go so far as to say entirely inaudible. There were many priests whom I could understand from the pews, and even follow their Latin.

(There were a few readings that were required by the GIRM to be said in a low voice, but not the Canon.)
 
If there are bells, should they also be rung at the epiclesis or the equivalent thereof in the Roman Canon? I remember watching the funeral Mass of John Paul II, the Missa pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice, and the Installation of Benedict XVI; as well as at the consecrations, the bell was rung when the concelebrants said:

*“Quam oblationem tu, Deus, in omnibus, quaesumus: benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris…”. *

Is this mandatory in the Roman Rite?
 
:yawn:
Well, I woudn’t go so far as to say entirely inaudible. There were many priests whom I could understand from the pews, and even follow their Latin.

(There were a few readings that were required by the GIRM to be said in a low voice, but not the Canon.)
Click to expand...
Sorry, but that is incorrect. The Canon of the Mass, the ancient Roman Canon, was recited entirely in a whispered voice, and still is where the Tridentine indult is in effect. The GIRM was a creation of the 1970 missal and did not exist before that; there was the Ritus Servandus.

From the Te igitur at the beginning until the last line, it was silent. Only the final words per omnia sæcula sæculorum were recited aloud. (From 28 Nov 64 until 22 Oct 67, the entire final doxology, Per ipsum, et cum ipsum, et in ipsum, etc. was recited aloud.) At High Mass, the singing of the Sanctus-Benedictus often covered much, if not most, of the Canon. At a Low Mass, there was silence throughout. For the three words Nobis quoque peccatoribus, the priest moderately raised his voice as he struck his breast, but that was it. Having an audible Canon was one of the major reforms of the post-Vatican II era.
 
40.png
Figment713:
…but if I don’t ask it, I simply will go on being curious about the practice.

(Please, allow me to first excuse my stupidity by stating the fact that while I have been attending mass for a long time now, I am only in about my 7th week of RCIA classes. Could be the below question will ultimately be answered, but, well, why wait?)

During the Eucharistic Prayers during mass there are two occasions on which bells are run by the Alter Boys/Girls. What is that all about?

Also, the “Through Him, With Him, In Him…in the unity of The Holy Spirit…” part. Why is that chanted/sung by the priest?

I’m sorry if this is stuff that I should know. I simply do not, nor do I know if a clear place to go look it up.

Thank you very much for your time.
Click to expand...
The “Through Him…” part as you refer to it is the great doxology an extremely important and solemn part of the mass as it is offering the sacrifice of Calvary back to God. Thus it is sung and the amen after it is called the “great amen.”

Actually the bellse should be rung at the epiklepsis or the institution of the Holy Spirit on the gifts, the consecration of the bread and then the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Also some parishes ring the bells at the mingling of the body and blood and when the Priest consumes the body and blood.
 
Chatter163 said:
:yawn: Sorry, but that is incorrect. The Canon of the Mass, the ancient Roman Canon, was recited entirely in a whispered voice, and still is where the Tridentine indult is in effect. The GIRM was a creation of the 1970 missal and did not exist before that; there was the Ritus Servandus.
Click to expand...

Well, it may be incorrect, and my memory is not what it used to be; or perhaps my own priests were doing it wrong. But I do seem to recall being able to follow along with the priest in my Latin-English missal before 1970 with not much problem. One of my neighbors even commented that a particular priest’s Latin was so distinct that she also had no problem in following along. Following the changeable parts of the Mass was more problematic as they changed every week.
 
40.png
twiztedseraph:
Actually the bellse should be rung at the epiklepsis or the institution of the Holy Spirit on the gifts, the consecration of the bread and then the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. **Also some parishes ring the bells at the mingling of the body and blood ** and when the Priest consumes the body and blood.
Click to expand...
Is this a common local custom where you live? I’ve never heard of it before. Also, how exactly is this done? Do they ring the bells after the Lamb of God, or while it is being said/sung?
 
The primary reason for ringing sanctus bells during the Mass has yet to be given.

Sanctus bells are rung primarily to make a joyous noise for our Lord.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top