I really loved the Sanctus bells at the consecration. Why do we not use them any more? Is this a diocesan decision or is it up to the parish itself? I have read that the bells were more important in the old Latin mass because it was hard to tell exactly what was going on and when you heard the ringing you knew that the consecration was taking place. Well no matter – I really miss them. Let’s face it: our minds can wander during Mass. No matter how saintly we are. It’s just part of being human, but when those bells were rung it always “brought me back” and quickly. A good thing too because I was about to “drift” through what I consider the most important part of the Mass. You know we can use that moment during consecration to thank Jesus for dying on that cross for us, for shedding His blood for us. We can even use that moment to ask for forgiveness, for healing, for salvation. A friend of mine told me that at the moment of consecration angels are completely covering the altar. Hovering above, behind, and to the sides of the priest. Wow – isn’t that an awesome picture to envision. Can you imagine if we actually truly saw them. Guess we wouldn’t need the bells then.
etc. by sarah: Sanctus Bells
– March 8, 2010Posted in: Daily Thoughts
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Affection for the altar (sanctus bells) fascinates me. I have known more than a few older Catholics who lament the loss of “the bells”. Frankly, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. A lot of the old customs were left behind in the aggiornameto.
If memory serves, these bells were not rung during Holy Week (perhaps even during the entire season of Lent). Instead a wooden clapper was used. And these signals were really used to wake the congregation up either from sleep or personal devotions. Folks were really disengaged from the Liturgy.
We also left behind things like black vestments at funerals, the somber elements of the rite of Baptism, Extreme Unction (the Last Anointing), no women in the sanctuary, no altar girls, patens, and speaking about a priests consecrated fingers.
But it wasn’t all things lost but things rediscovered. Liturgy became a celebration, music became an important part of that celebration and singing part of our public worship. Girls and women were invited to participate as ministers to the People of God. The Bible ceased to be a Protestant book. So many good and wonderful things happened.
As someone old enough to actually remember the old ways but who grew to maturity in the new, I don’t miss the altar (sanctus) bells. For me they represent a time to which I’d rather not return.
The Liturgy has two parts…the Word and the Eucharist… but they are intrinsically connected. It would be bad practice to come into Liturgy 15 or 20 minutes late simply to hear the bells and see the consecration.
If we look and feel carefully with our hearts, we will not simply be spectators seeing angels gathered around the altar. During the Liturgy, we are the People of God united with the entire Communion of Saints in a timeless celebration of God’s Love. We join with the saints and angels in that one unending chorus…holy holy holy Lord…the Sanctus.
Who needs bells.
I always loved the bells too. They still ring them at the church I grew up in. When I was a little girl, my mother told me the angels in heaven rang the bells. Even though I later learned they were rung by a human, I always considered them to be rung by angels, even when I had the honor of ringing the bells myself when I became an alter server. It was always my favorite part of Mass.