Usage of crotalus ("clapper")

[R_C]

Hello! I am trying to find out details concerning the traditional usage of the crotalus (wooden clapper) during the Triduum.

I understand it is used in the usual place where the Altar Bell would ring (Hanc igitur, Sanctus, etc.) as well as during the Translation of Maundy Thursday…but I am wondering about the Liturgy of Good Friday…

Besides the Procession from the Altar of Repose to the main Altar (and, possibly, the reposition at the end in a way similar to that of Thursday), where else would it be used? At the Consummatus Est? During the Great Intercessions to signal kneeling and raising?

Thanks for your help figuring this out

 

[YoungTradCath]

I hate those things. I understand that Lent is of course a penitential time, but imho clappers are not penitential, they just uglify the moment.

 

[Lormar]

I love the clapper! They used to (and still do in some monasteries) awaken the monks and nuns in the morning by way of it and in lieu of a bell.

 

[Chatter163]

Hello! I am trying to find out details concerning the traditional usage of the crotalus (wooden clapper) during the Triduum.

I understand it is used in the usual place where the Altar Bell would ring (Hanc igitur, Sanctus, etc.) as well as during the Translation of Maundy Thursday…but I am wondering about the Liturgy of Good Friday…

Besides the Procession from the Altar of Repose to the main Altar (and, possibly, the reposition at the end in a way similar to that of Thursday), where else would it be used? At the Consummatus Est? During the Great Intercessions to signal kneeling and raising?

Thanks for your help figuring this out

Nothing else. It would only be used during the procession. I would not use it at the other times (especially not repeatedly during the intercessions), lest its unique sound be overused and the symbolism lost.

 

[corsair]

I’m with you, Lormar. I love the “clapper” or clacker or whatever else its called in various regions.

Its a tradition that I haven’t heard in years. Well, at least until I started attending the FSSP parish back in 2008.

 

[Cojuanco]

I hate those things. I understand that Lent is of course a penitential time, but imho clappers are not penitential, they just uglify the moment.

But in some places, they are customary (as in, present even before the last Council). Particularly this is the case in the Low Countries and the Rhineland.

 

[Phemie]

It’s actually my most vivid childhood memory of the Triduum. I’d love to have one to use during the Triduum in this parish. Wonder if they’d use it if I donated one?

 

[Psalitte]

…they just uglify the moment.

Well, isn’t that the point?
Once the bells have ceased to ring on Holy Thursday, Good Friday should feel a little sparse, a little hurtful, a little …ugly, so come the Gloria on Easter Vigil there’s relief and joy!

 

[YoungTradCath]

Well, isn’t that the point?
Once the bells have ceased to ring on Holy Thursday, Good Friday should feel a little sparse, a little hurtful, a little …ugly, so come the Gloria on Easter Vigil there’s relief and joy!

Well I don’t think liturgy should ever be ugly, no. The abruptness of the Good Friday liturgy in the priest’s prostration and leaving in silence is, I think, a good way of doing penitence in liturgy. It sort of shocks the senses to just see the priest enter, prostrate himself.

The crotalus is just slightly enraging imho like a scratch on a cell phone screen but I would not care too much if it was used at a liturgy. Yes I just compared that to a cell phone screen scratch.

 

[Charles12]

The clapper isn’t as bad as the awful bell ringing all the way through the Gloria on Maundy Thursday and at the Paschal Vigil. A hideous that destroys the beautiful music. The clapper at least matches the penitential mood.