Use of Sanctus Bells?

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Do you think Sanctus bells should be rung during the Mass as allowed by the GIRM?
 
I think sanctus bells should indeed be rung during the Mass as allowed by the GIRM.

Sanctus bells were never rung because the Mass was in Latin or because the priest had his back to the congregation. This is a misnomer that is propogated by a number of confused individuals.

The sanctus bell was originally a big outside tower bell (usually the largest in the belfry) that was rung to signal those who could not attend the Mass (slaves, indentured employees, the sick, etc.) that something miraculous was taking place – so they could take time to give thanks at that very moment.

The hand-held or sanctuary mounted bells continued with this tradition for the sake of tradition, and because they bells emitted a joyous sound that is pleasing to God. Much like the tintinnabalum used in Jewish synogogues…
 
Personally I love the bells. I equate them with the praises the heavenly host sing to God, and I always feel a certain sense of loss when I attend a Mass in which they aren’t used
 
I’m trying to decide if I’ve ever been to a Mass when they weren’t rung. I didn’t realize it wasn’t always done.

I know our new pastor confused the servers because he elevated the Host in a different manner (not sure what was confusing to them, but it was obvious they didn’t know when to ring them last weekend).

Kris
 
I attend and sometimes serve at many funeral masses. Many of the people attending are either non-practicing catholics or people of other faiths. When the bells are rung, all eyes seem to come up and wether they know it or not, they are looking right at their God. This is good for all. 🙂
 
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mtr01:
Personally I love the bells. I equate them with the praises the heavenly host sing to God, and I always feel a certain sense of loss when I attend a Mass in which they aren’t used
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I also think besides the most wonderful sound and the angels singing praise to God, that if I am distracted the sound brings my attention right to the altar to see our Lord. But we don’t hear bells around here. Not with the Jesuits, Dominicans, Benedictines, Legion of Christ, or even in the parish.
 
We have 'em. I love 'em. Lots of parishes in these districts don’t use 'em any more. I don’t understand why not, they are low tech, easy to use, and add a very nice touch to the Mass.
 
I sometimes wish they could be rung a little more softly. But still rung, of course.
 
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WhiteDove:
We have 'em. I love 'em. Lots of parishes in these districts don’t use 'em any more. I don’t understand why not, they are low tech, easy to use, and add a very nice touch to the Mass.
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Likely because of poor catechesis. Many people believe one of two things.

First, that the use of the bells came into use when the Mass was in Latin and the priests’ back faced the congregation. This is nonsense – but believed by a great many.

Second, that the “entire Mass” is special (quite true) and that the consecration and elevation of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity is no more special than the rest of the Mass (malarky.)
 
They are also really special for the altar boys to ring. At my parish, they hide behind the lectern where they are kept and get them ready, then ring them at just the right time! What a great thing for a young person to get to do. A real privilege. 🙂
 
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Crusader:
I think sanctus bells should indeed be rung during the Mass as allowed by the GIRM.

Sanctus bells were never rung because the Mass was in Latin or because the priest had his back to the congregation. This is a misnomer that is propogated by a number of confused individuals.

The sanctus bell was originally a big outside tower bell (usually the largest in the belfry) that was rung to signal those who could not attend the Mass (slaves, indentured employees, the sick, etc.) that something miraculous was taking place – so they could take time to give thanks at that very moment.

The hand-held or sanctuary mounted bells continued with this tradition for the sake of tradition, and because they bells emitted a joyous sound that is pleasing to God. Much like the tintinnabalum used in Jewish synogogues…
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I have heard a slightly different history in my deacon formation classes.

What I was told was during the middle ages the altar was taken from the midst of the congregation and was set apart (the Sanctuary was separated from the Nave). That was when the altar rail was put in, and eventually a screen was put up, so the people could not see what was going on in the Sanctuary. While the priest was saying Mass, the people were doing private devotions such as praying the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross, or meditating on the stained glass windows. They could not see the priest and barely could here him. When the priest was praying the Eucharistic Prayer and got to the Institution Narrative, a bell was rung so the people stopped what they were doing and give homage to the Eucharistic Christ.

I love hearing the bells. They are used in our parish. I feel they call us to lift up our hearts and worship and adore Christ now present with us in a very special way.
 
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Crusader:
Likely because of poor catechesis. Many people believe one of two things.

First, that the use of the bells came into use when the Mass was in Latin and the priests’ back faced the congregation. This is nonsense – but believed by a great many.

Second, that the “entire Mass” is special (quite true) and that the consecration and elevation of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity is no more special than the rest of the Mass (malarky.)
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We are fed that malarky, too in our classes

sad
 
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Guy:
I have heard a slightly different history in my deacon formation classes.

What I was told was during the middle ages the altar was taken from the midst of the congregation and was set apart (the Sanctuary was separated from the Nave). That was when the altar rail was put in, and eventually a screen was put up, so the people could not see what was going on in the Sanctuary. While the priest was saying Mass, the people were doing private devotions such as praying the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross, or meditating on the stained glass windows. They could not see the priest and barely could here him. When the priest was praying the Eucharistic Prayer and got to the Institution Narrative, a bell was rung so the people stopped what they were doing and give homage to the Eucharistic Christ.

I love hearing the bells. They are used in our parish. I feel they call us to lift up our hearts and worship and adore Christ now present with us in a very special way.
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Unfortunately the inaccurate story you were told has led to some “liturgists” doing all they can to trash the bells.

Sanctus bells began as outdoor tower bells that were used to signal people not inside of the actual church.
 
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Crusader:
Unfortunately the inaccurate story you were told has led to some “liturgists” doing all they can to trash the bells.

Sanctus bells began as outdoor tower bells that were used to signal people not inside of the actual church.
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Do you have a good source for this? I am about to take this cause on within my church and already know I am going to get some flak from some within the educational realm. In discussing this with our CCD director, she commented that bringing the bells back would require education to the kids on what they meant as if that was some sort of reason not to. I responded with “Well that will be your job!” and she wasn’t too pleased.

I just don’t understand what the apprehension is

Thanks.
Stu.
 
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Stu:
Do you have a good source for this? I am about to take this cause on within my church and already know I am going to get some flak from some within the educational realm. In discussing this with our CCD director, she commented that bringing the bells back would require education to the kids on what they meant as if that was some sort of reason not to. I responded with “Well that will be your job!” and she wasn’t too pleased.

I just don’t understand what the apprehension is

Thanks.
Stu.
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I would begin with the Catholic Encyclopedia ( newadvent.org/cathen/01349b.htm).

To be honest, I would never mention something like this to a layperson with a position. I would do my homework and ask the pastor directly…
 
Stu;

Keep in mind that the use of sanctus bells during the Mass is seen as extremely retrogressive by some “progressive” (albiet ignorant) Catholics. Conversely, the bells are also viewed as a good housekeeping seal of sorts by some of the more traditional crowd.

To many (particularly those on either fringe) the bells’ symbolic value is important. The manuevering to bring-back or trash the bells can be quite harsh in some parishes.

I once did some statistical sampling at my parish and about 94% of the parishioners said they wanted the bells back. Make sure your ducks are in a row before you ask your pastor…

General Instruction of the Roman Missal #150. "A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the faithful. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chalice."
 
In most of the churches I’ve attended in the UK the Sanctus bells are rung, certainly during Sunday Mass. I attended Mass today at my local church and they weren’t rung though.

I’ve seen (heard, rather) the bells rung on the following occasions:
  1. When the priest says ‘That they may become for us the body and blood’…
  2. At the elevation of the host and of the chalice after each of them are consecrated. On some occasions these are rung three times with each elevation and on others, a long ring for the duration of the elevation
  3. When the priest has received both body and blood
In the parish where I grew up we used to always ring the bell in the tower at the consecration - I’ve noticed that this has stopped, but they still ring the Angelus at noon and at 6pm.

Anyway, over here, most parishes seem to use the bells. I love them!

I also love the bell that’s often rung to signal the start of Mass - I get excited every time I hear it!!
 
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