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JimG
Guest
During this prayer the priest stretches his hands out over the chalice and paten, which is the altar server’s cue to ring the bell the first time, if there are bells!
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Cat
Guest
I have been taught (and I have read it in older Catholic books) that the bells were rung in the Mass at the epiclesis to alert the congregation that Jesus was present on the altar, and that they should stop praying the Rosary or any other devotion and adore Him, Truly Present.
Bells were necessary in the Latin Mass because many people didn’t understand the language, didn’t have missals (many couldn’t read), and needed the auditory cue so that they could be aware of Jesus’ Presence.
In the OF Mass done in the vernacular, it’s obvious to those who are paying attention when Jesus is present. Also, in the OF Mass, the people generally do not pray other prayers like the Rosary during the Mass because they are supposed to be participating in what’s going on. So no auditory cue is needed, other than the words of the priest.
However, in many parishes, the bells are still used in the OF Masses. It’s a lovely tradition, and helpful for those who lose track of what the priest is saying.
We use bells in our very modern OF parish. Whether they are rung three times, one long rrrrring, or a wimpy “tinkle” depends on which altar server is ringing them. I’ve been told by parents that some of the children are very self-conscious about being the “ringer,” and get nervous when carrying our their responsibility. So sometimes, the bells 'tinkle" instead of “rrring” or “rrring x 3”!
As I understand this tradition, there is no “requirement” for a three-times ring or any ring in the OF Mass.
I think we all need to be forbearing and loving whenever children are involved. They’re young, scared, and they will learn through practice and experience, and our encouraging words and smiles will help them to learn
Bells were necessary in the Latin Mass because many people didn’t understand the language, didn’t have missals (many couldn’t read), and needed the auditory cue so that they could be aware of Jesus’ Presence.
In the OF Mass done in the vernacular, it’s obvious to those who are paying attention when Jesus is present. Also, in the OF Mass, the people generally do not pray other prayers like the Rosary during the Mass because they are supposed to be participating in what’s going on. So no auditory cue is needed, other than the words of the priest.
However, in many parishes, the bells are still used in the OF Masses. It’s a lovely tradition, and helpful for those who lose track of what the priest is saying.
We use bells in our very modern OF parish. Whether they are rung three times, one long rrrrring, or a wimpy “tinkle” depends on which altar server is ringing them. I’ve been told by parents that some of the children are very self-conscious about being the “ringer,” and get nervous when carrying our their responsibility. So sometimes, the bells 'tinkle" instead of “rrring” or “rrring x 3”!
As I understand this tradition, there is no “requirement” for a three-times ring or any ring in the OF Mass.
I think we all need to be forbearing and loving whenever children are involved. They’re young, scared, and they will learn through practice and experience, and our encouraging words and smiles will help them to learn
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Brendan
Guest
You were taught incorrectly.
The ringing of Church bells has been a sign of joy ( coronations, major events, the celebration of the Annunciation via the Angelus, and yes, the celebration of the Eucharist present on the altar.
The ringing of the bells is a celebration, not some sort of alert to start paying attention.
The bells are not rung during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, for example, and that was still said in Latin.
But the reason for that is that the tone of the Mass is sorrowful, NOT because the Church felt that people should just not pay attention at that particular Mass
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zab
Guest
The bells are rung once when the priest places his hands over the bread and wine. for the consecration of each species -bread and wine- our pastor had directed our altar servers to ring the bells in three sets of three. He takes a little bit longer than some to hold up the Host.
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CyrilSebastian
Guest
Here we do not have the bells rung any longer.
We had the bells ringing at the Consecration until the previous priest became pastor.
He discontinued the ringing of the bells.
We had the bells ringing at the Consecration until the previous priest became pastor.
He discontinued the ringing of the bells.
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pianistclare
Guest
Be patient. The next one will bring them back.
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ProVobis
Guest
He’ll bring Quasimodo with him.
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Brendan
Guest
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dconklin
Guest
I have seen the bells rung in sets of three during the elevation of the Body and Blood on a few occasions and it was only this past year that I saw it done where it made perfect sense. Mass was being in a cruciform (cross-shaped) church and the Body and Blood were each elevated toward the three seating areas. A short ring was done for each side.
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SyroMalankara
Guest
While this may have been the perception, I don’t think the bells are rung for this reason - the bells are rung thrice in the Extraordinary Form Mass as well, and the celebrant and congregation face the same direction.
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