Use of Sanctus Bells?

[Crusader]

MeaCulpa:

I believe the last time the bells are rung thrice is to remind those who plan to attend communion that now is the time and so this may in this instance correspond with the consumation of the precious blood, otherwise I do not see in any present or past traditions for it to be done at this time.

I have never before heard what you suggest. Ever.

The Sanctus bells have three essential purposes. First, they produce a joyous noise to our Lord. cf. Exodus 28:33-35 & 39:25-26 and Ecclesiasticus 45:9.

Second, they were once used to signal those outside of the church that something supernatural (the confecting of the Eucharist) was taking place inside of the church.

Finally they have the auxillary benefit of centering the attention of the faithful onto the altar at the time of the consecration.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mfaustina1]

I voted “sure” because I think people may like the more “traditional” way of doing things. I am one of these people. For those who are familiar with these publications, I stand closer to “Adoremus” than I do to “The Remnant”. That is, I like the Novus Ordo Mass, but I like it better when it fuses some of the “old” in with the “new” like the Masses held on EWTN. - Mfaustina1

I couldn’t vote that the bells necessarily emitted a sound pleasing to God since not all of them are even pleasing to my ears, but I appreciate the purpose for which they are rung.

 

[Crusader]

frdave20:

Why are the bells rung at the priest’s consumption of the Precious Blood?

I understand the first three particulars, but I haven’t been able to intuitively firgure out the reasoning behind the last.

Because the celebrant is completing taking communion. Ringing the bell at this point is not specifically called out in the Novus Ordo Mass. It’s done at that point during the Tridentine Mass, and some still do it during the current Mass.

 

[Crusader]

Does anyone here happen to know of a set of used Sanctus bells for sale? If you do, please shoot me a private e-mail. Thanks.

(No, I would really rather not go the eBay route…)

 

[RBushlow]

Crusader:

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

Yes, and I hope and pray that our parish may someday do so.

 

[Crusader]

RBushlow:

Yes, and I hope and pray that our parish may someday do so.

Likewise.

I am amazed at how emotional people can be about Sanctus bells. I think the “Spirit of Vatican IIers” view them as a tangible link to the past – which they have been conditioned to detest.

The rest of us like the idea that we are creating a joyous noise for our Lord…

 

[MeaCulpa]

I have never before heard what you suggest. Ever.

Well now you have

Catholic Encylopedia (of course this was written before Vatican II and so refers to the Mass before the 1970 Missal)

**

Altar Bell​

A small bell placed on the credence or in some other convenient place on the epistle side of the altar. According to the rubrics it is rung only at the Sanctus and at the elevation of both Species (Miss. Rom., Ritus celebr., tit. vii, n. 8, and tit. viii, n. 6) to invite the faithful to the act of adoration at the Consecration. This must be done even in private chapels (Cong. Sac. Rit., 18 July, 1885). It may also be rung at the “Domine non sum dignus”, and again before the distribution of Holy Communion to the laity

** I read another interesting comment on Church Bells in a Vade Mecum for teachers of Religon - page 82. (published in 1948)
and it considers Church Bells (but not the small altar bells) as Sacramentals.

"Church bells are blessed with religious rites. They are used to remind men of religion and of God. They were introduced into Christian churches in Italy about A.D. 400. The ringing of bells or gongs in the sanctuary is tolerated by the Church but these are not usually blessed. The ringing of the tower bell at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice during Sunday Mass is a practice dating from the 13th century.

When bells are blessed each receives a name. During the ceremony the bells are washed with holy water, anointed with oil of the sick in seven places wihout, and with chrism in four places within. Prayers are offered that the bells may put the demon to flight, protect the faithful from storms and call them to prayer. The fuming censer is placed under each bell, that the smoke may fill the cavity. The ceremony is concluded with the reading of the Gospel concerning Martha and Mary.

 

[Crusader]

MeaCulpa:

Well now you have

Catholic Encylopedia (of course this was written before Vatican II and so refers to the Mass before the 1970 Missal)

** I read another interesting comment on Church Bells in a Vade Mecum for teachers of Religon - page 82. (published in 1948)
and it considers Church Bells (but not the small altar bells) as Sacramentals.**
“I believe the last time the bells are rung thrice is to remind those who plan to attend communion that now is the time and so this may in this instance correspond with the consumation of the precious blood, otherwise I do not see in any present or past traditions for it to be done at this time.” <— This is what I have not heard before.

That book that suggests gongs were rung in the 5th century in the Church is mistaken. The liturgical use of bells was not introduced to the Church until the 8th century in the West, and sometime later in the East…

 

[MeaCulpa]

“I believe the last time the bells are rung thrice is to remind those who plan to attend communion that now is the time and so this may in this instance correspond with the consumation of the precious blood, otherwise I do not see in any present or past traditions for it to be done at this time.” <— This is what I have not heard before.

That book that suggests gongs were rung in the 5th century in the Church is mistaken. The liturgical use of bells was not introduced to the Church until the 8th century in the West, and sometime later in the East…

You probably jumped to a conclusion. The Paragraph said

Church bells are blessed with religious rites. They are used to remind men of religion and of God. They were introduced into Christian churches in Italy about A.D. 400.

That was in reference to church bells - not gongs or sanctuary bells. It speaks of when Church bells were introduced into the Church (tower bells)

Then it went on to say

The ringing of bells or gongs in the sanctuary is tolerated by the Church but these are not usually blessed.

This was telling us that these bells - sanctuary bells are not blessed. There is no reference to when they were were first used in this paragraph.

Then it went on to say

The ringing of the tower bell at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice during Sunday Mass is a practice dating from the 13th century.

So what source do you have that they were used earlier?

As for the other part of my post that you said you had not heard before - my source for that is the same book, page 110 which says verbatum,

The altar bell (sanctus bell) is used to call the attention of those present to the most sacred portions of the Mass. At the Sanctus it is rung three times; at the prayer Hanc Igitur, it is sounded once; at the Elevation of the sacred host it is rung thrice; and the same number of times at the elevation of the chalice containing the precious blood. At the Communion of the Mass the bell is again sounded three times to warn those who intend to receive Holy Communion that the time is at hand.

I try to post my sources and am sorry I forgot to do that for that.
I think it avoids a lot of dispute if one always cites a source when they may a statement that something is true or wrong, don’t you?

When someone does dispute what I post even with references, I think it only fair to ask them for their source that is contrary to the source I quote.

Thank you for your interest and reply.

 

[Crusader]

MeaCulpa:

You probably jumped to a conclusion. The Paragraph said

That was in reference to church bells - not gongs or sanctuary bells. It speaks of when Church bells were introduced into the Church (tower bells)

Then it went on to say

This was telling us that these bells - sanctuary bells are not blessed. There is no reference to when they were were first used in this paragraph.

Then it went on to say

So what source do you have that they were used earlier?

As for the other part of my post that you said you had not heard before - my source for that is the same book, page 110 which says verbatum,

I try to post my sources and am sorry I forgot to do that for that.
I think it avoids a lot of dispute if one always cites a source when they may a statement that something is true or wrong, don’t you?

When someone does dispute what I post even with references, I think it only fair to ask them for their source that is contrary to the source I quote.

Thank you for your interest and reply.

In brief, the CE’s information on Sanctus bells is incomplete to say the least. The CE is a good starting point, but it typically lacks depth in most cases. It’s nice that it’s just a click away though.

Following are a half-dozen refereneces that should help your understanding of Sanctus bells. If you need more, just let me know:

Coleman, Satis N. *Bells: Their History, Legends, Making, and Uses. *Chicago: Rand McNally and Co., 1928.

Eberhardt, CM, Very Rev. Newman C. *A Summary of Catholic History. *2 vols. St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co., 1961.

Jungmann, SJ, Rev. Joseph A. The Mass of the Roman Rite: Its Origins and Development. New York: Benziger Brothers, 1959.

Morris, Ernest. *Tintinnabula: Small Bells. *London: Robert Hale Ltd., 1959.

Noonan, Jr., Rev. James-Charles. *The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church. *New York: Viking-Penguin Group, 1996.

Westcott, Wendell. *Bells and Their Music. *New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1970.

 

[MeaCulpa]

The CE wa snot the source I quoted but the ** Vade Mecum for teachers of Religon -**

This is a book which was distributed to all teachers of religion in 1948 (nuns and others in Catholic schools) and this is the book and information they taught thousands if not millions.

So if it is in error here is it in other matters? Have the children who were taught then, taught error or truth.

Actually I think the century is not so much an issue. I do trust this source even though written by a nun (a nun of the old school - ) Sister M Catherine Frederic, OSF, Mount St. Francis, New York and edited by Rev.William F. Lawlor Superintendant of Catholic Schools. There is also a long list of contributors in the acknowledgements including the author of the Baltimore Catechism, revised.

While one cannot look to this book for today’s liturgy, it can for the past. The forward, written by Rev. Lawlor assures us that though intended for elementary school children it is also suitable for high school students and adults. He notes that she has left no stone unturned in her painstaking research into biblical, historical, liturgical, devotional facts.

I came across this wonderful book at a rummage sale, post Vatican II and it is one of the treasures of my library as I have found much information there that I could find nowhere else.

But thank you for providing all those sources you have and if I can find them available at a library, I will certainly check them out. Unfortunately most of my current $$$ are spent on existing with little left for purchasin books. I thank God for the internet and being available to read Church documents and writings of the Fathers, etc. without having to invest a great deal of money.

 

[Crusader]

MeaCulpa:

The CE wa snot the source I quoted but the Vade Mecum for teachers of Religon -

This is a book which was distributed to all teachers of religion in 1948 (nuns and others in Catholic schools) and this is the book and information they taught thousands if not millions.

So if it is in error here is it in other matters? Have the children who were taught then, taught error or truth.

Actually I think the century is not so much an issue. I do trust this source even though written by a nun (a nun of the old school - ) Sister M Catherine Frederic, OSF, Mount St. Francis, New York and edited by Rev.William F. Lawlor Superintendant of Catholic Schools. There is also a long list of contributors in the acknowledgements including the author of the Baltimore Catechism, revised.

While one cannot look to this book for today’s liturgy, it can for the past. The forward, written by Rev. Lawlor assures us that though intended for elementary school children it is also suitable for high school students and adults. He notes that she has left no stone unturned in her painstaking research into biblical, historical, liturgical, devotional facts.

I came across this wonderful book at a rummage sale, post Vatican II and it is one of the treasures of my library as I have found much information there that I could find nowhere else.

But thank you for providing all those sources you have and if I can find them available at a library, I will certainly check them out. Unfortunately most of my current $$$ are spent on existing with little left for purchasin books. I thank God for the internet and being available to read Church documents and writings of the Fathers, etc. without having to invest a great deal of money.

It might be wrong in other areas – I really have no idea.

It is incorrect with respect to the use of bells in the Church however. This is certainly not unique amongst general information books like the one you suggest.

A great deal of myth and outright misrepresentation surrsounds bell usage within the Church and unfortunately some writing propogate this…

 

[MeaCulpa]

How can one determine if the source books you suggest are more accurate than the one I quoted who also used other sources for their information?

 

[Crusader]

MeaCulpa:

How can one determine if the source books you suggest are more accurate than the one I quoted who also used other sources for their information?

1.) Because they agree with one another.

2.) Because in some cases they focus purely on the ecclesial use of bells OR they are a recognized general reference within the Church.

3.) Because they agree with other notible references on this topic.

4.) Because the work you referenced does not seem to agree with a single notible reference I have found on this topic.

Does your work offer a bibligraphy? I can’t help but think he didn’t dig too deep on what is a fairly narrow subject.

 

[AServantofGod]

I didn’t respond to the actual poll as I am a traditional Catholic who still will attend a church where they are not used.

Here’s how important they are to announce Jesus’ presence ;

There were some homeschoolers who were altar servers during daily masses. However, the day they didn’t come my 2 yr. old, who was happily laying on the kneeler, interjected “ding ding ding” . Even a child realizes the importance of announcing Jesus’ presence.

 

[ICXCNIKA]

Nowadays people can ring their own bells during Mass by not turning off their cell phones.

 

[SentimentalGent]

Crusader:

Yes, they ring them at every Mass – right at the epiclesis, at the elevation of the Host and chalice and as the celebrant consumes the Precious Blood.

That’s the same as in some churches in my area. God’s alarm clock for those not quite paying attention to the monumental mystery about to happen on the altar.

In the church I belong to, the bells are held in the hand and rung, which is like most churches. There is one church that uses something on the order of a xylophone, with four or five rounded bars. I don’t know what it’s called, but it puts out the most beautiful tones. It’s sits on the floor and is sounded with a small mallet. If anyone knows what it’s called, I’d love to know. During the consecration, it’s actually struck twice — one set of tones when the Host is raised, and again when the priest kneels. Then it’s repeated for the chalice.

Bring back those smells and bells!!!

 

[Franciscum]

SentimentalGent:

That’s the same as in some churches in my area. God’s alarm clock for those not quite paying attention to the monumental mystery about to happen on the altar.

In the church I belong to, the bells are held in the hand and rung, which is like most churches. There is one church that uses something on the order of a xylophone, with four or five rounded bars. I don’t know what it’s called, but it puts out the most beautiful tones. It’s sits on the floor and is sounded with a small mallet. If anyone knows what it’s called, I’d love to know. During the consecration, it’s actually struck twice — one set of tones when the Host is raised, and again when the priest kneels. Then it’s repeated for the chalice.

Bring back those smells and bells!!!

This is an interesting thread on a wonderful subject – bells.

Those are called “tubular bells.” While I don’t care for their new-agey looks, many of them sound wonderful. Many would suggest their sound is not really suitable for the Mass – that they sound more like the old NBC chime.

No bells should be sounded when the priest genuflects. That’s an addition to the Mass with no authorization, which is not allowed.

 

[PeterK]

Use of Sanctus Bells? Priest’s discretion.

pk

 

[Yvonne_Angel]

I would love to have the bells rung again. I asked our pastor for them and he said no. I have been told the bells were rung in the old churches that were built with huge pillars and some people had to sit behind them and could not see the altar. This alerted them to the elevation of the body and blood of Christ. I like another explanation given: they are rung to glorify God, to bring us to attention in the most sacred part of the Mass and to add a bit of mystery and joy to the Mass.I yearn for the return of the ringing of the bells.