When the Priest raises the Cup

[Jordan_Francis]

At my old church, whenever the cup and bread were raised to be turned into the Body and Blood (i dont know the technical name for this point in the Mass) a bell used to ring to signify the change.

The parish I now attend does not have this bell, and I feel like I should be somehow acknowledging the transformation into the Body and Blood. Is doing the sign of the Cross at this point, once for the bread and once for the wine, appropriate?

 

[Brendan]

At my old church, whenever the cup and bread were raised to be turned into the Body and Blood (i dont know the technical name for this point in the Mass) a bell used to ring to signify the change.

The parish I now attend does not have this bell, and I feel like I should be somehow acknowledging the transformation into the Body and Blood. Is doing the sign of the Cross at this point, once for the bread and once for the wine, appropriate?

The use of Sanctus Bells is optional. The priest is not required to use them. It is a wonderful sign of the joy we feel, but it’s not required.

The Sign of the Cross is certainly appropriate. It is a request to God to bless you, and what better time to ask than when He is Present before you

 

[Jordan_Francis]

Thanks!

 

[Brendan]

Here is the relavent Instruction

(GIRM 150)

1. 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

The first bell is traditionally rung at the N.O. Mass during the Epiclesis. Then, of course, at the two Major Elevations.

 

[kell0618]

At my old church, whenever the cup and bread were raised to be turned into the Body and Blood (i dont know the technical name for this point in the Mass) a bell used to ring to signify the change.

The parish I now attend does not have this bell, and I feel like I should be somehow acknowledging the transformation into the Body and Blood. Is doing the sign of the Cross at this point, once for the bread and once for the wine, appropriate?

I know that when a server forgets to ring the bell at my parish, I certainly feel a little bit saddened like a bit is missing. I feel for you. I always bow my head at this time, and certainly crossing yourself is a good thing to do.

 

[RevJM]

Just a bit of trivia. The bells were orginally used to alert people attending “church” in the “Early Days” of the Church. The Catacombs were dark and it was difficult to see so bells were sounded to alert when the change took place.

 

[Brendan]

Just a bit of trivia. The bells were orginally used to alert people attending “church” in the “Early Days” of the Church. The Catacombs were dark and it was difficult to see so bells were sounded to alert when the change took place.

Iffy, as the Eastern Churches use bells as well, and they never had the Catacombs.

( the same goes for the story that the bells were initiated in the Middle Ages because the Mass was in latin and nobody understood what was happening)

At least your story has the correct time frame for the introduction of Sanctus bells.

Generally, they are little Church bells, that toll out when a joyful event happens.

 

[Genesis315]

I usually put my fist to my heart and say, “O Lord, be mindful of they creature whom thous hast redeemed with thy Precious Blood.”

 

[bpbasilphx]

Little known fact: The Sanctus bells at the altar were originally a signal to the bell ringer to ring the tower bell to let people not present at mass what was happening.

Now, won’t you sleep better tonight knowing this?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Iffy, as the Eastern Churches use bells as well, and they never had the Catacombs.

( the same goes for the story that the bells were initiated in the Middle Ages because the Mass was in latin and nobody understood what was happening)

At least your story has the correct time frame for the introduction of Sanctus bells.

Generally, they are little Church bells, that toll out when a joyful event happens.

Brendan,
there was only one Church at the time the Catacombs were in use.

Hope this helps!

Jim

 

[sphilomena]

At my old church, whenever the cup and bread were raised to be turned into the Body and Blood (i dont know the technical name for this point in the Mass) a bell used to ring to signify the change.

The parish I now attend does not have this bell, and I feel like I should be somehow acknowledging the transformation into the Body and Blood. Is doing the sign of the Cross at this point, once for the bread and once for the wine, appropriate?

In the “old days” when the bell was rung and the priest elevated the Host, we would say “My Lord and my God”. I believe that may be from St. Thomas Aquinas. We are told that it is a spiritually powerful time of the Mass, so I always pray for the precious Blood of Christ to protect and heal my family. Wish we had not lost this; it draws our attention to something very sacred happening.

 

[Sheeniac]

My Church uses the bells, but our pastor feels they are superfluous so he doesn’t let the altar servers ring them. The other priests who say mass do have them rung.

To me, it helps signify the moments that the bread and wine become actual body and blood. Internally, I will imagine bells ringing, or, worst case, I say ‘ringy dingy dingy’ in my head. Childish, yes, but it works.