St. Joseph Rectory Phone: 812-346-4783
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Question: I hear bells rung at Mass at 3 different times. What does it mean? The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is the text that gives instructions on how to celebrate Holy Mass. The text is very specific and has a lot of details. Paragraph 150 states “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 ringing of the Bell is done to draw attention and add solemnity to the consecration of the bread and wine at Holy Mass. During the consecration they cease to be bread and wine; they become the Sacred Body and Blood of our Lord. The first time the bells are rung is when the priest extends his hands over the gifts presented. In Greek this action, done by the priest, is called the epiclesis. This action signifies the calling down of the Holy Spirit upon the gifts. This is just prior to the consecration. The other two times the bells are rung is right after the 2 consecrations when we are called to adore our Lord as the sacred elements are lifted up. The consecration of bread and wine is a miracle and the fact that we get to be in the Eucharistic presence of our Lord Jesus and then receive Him in Holy Communion is beyond our compression. The ringing of bells was required prior to the Second Vatican Council. But, after the council, it became an option; that is why some parishes do not ring them. However, bells are used at other times outside the context of Mass. Most churches have bell towers which ring bells to prompt us for the beginning of Mass and to remind us to pray throughout the day. In the Eastern Church the priest’s vestments have bells upon them along with other liturgical items such as the thurible (the receptacle used for burning incense). Even the ever popular movie It’s a Wonderful Life makes reference to bells and their connection to the things of heaven with the ever famous quote, “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” FYI-this is not a theologically correct statement, but we can cover that in a different column. Bells are beautiful instruments that call our minds and hearts to God. During Holy Mass may they do just that! How beautiful it is, how great it is to know, love and serve God! That is all we have to do in this world. Beyond that, everything we do is just a waste of time. Saint John Vianney