Ringing the Bells at Mass
Date: July 20, 2024
Author: Fr. Edward McNamara, LC
Question: I have a series of questions relevant to the role of acolytes/altar servers in their use of bells at Mass. 1) Can you please comment on the validity of the practice in some local churches here of: first, continuously ringing the bell during the entrance procession from the back all the way to the front until it reaches the sanctuary; second, ringing the bells during the Gloria all throughout the year; third, ringing the bell continuously during the "Great Amen." 2) What is the proper way of ringing bells at the consecration (how many rings, continuous or single or clusters, etc.)? 3) When is the proper timing of ringing the bell "just before the consecration"? Is it during the epiclesis when the priest directs his palms down toward the gifts on the altar? Or is it in that short pause in the Eucharistic Prayer just before the priest begins the words of consecration? -- M.S., Iloilo, Philippines
Answer: There is very little regarding the use of bells, especially handbells, in official documents. This is because, in general, these are questions of local uses and customs.
At the same time, one should not introduce an excessive use of these into the liturgy or at times which contradict other liturgical indications.
There are several reasons for the introduction of the use of handbells, especially during the consecration.
During the 11th through the 13th centuries, there was much debate regarding the precise moment of the consecration, coupled with a devotional desire on the part of the faithful to see the host. This desire led to the practice of elevating the host after the consecration and, about a century later, the elevation of the chalice.
While this practice was a generally positive development it was mixed with occasional superstitions, such as some preachers who told people that they did not age while contemplating the host. Some young devotees in medieval European cities would run from church to church to be present at as many elevations as possible.
In some places, the large bells of parish churches were also rung during the consecration, or during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, so that people in the vicinity could make a brief pause for prayer and adoration.
Some centuries later, with the advent of polyphonic music at Mass, it became common that the priest would quietly recite the Sanctus and initiate the Eucharistic Prayer while the choir continued to sing the elaborate Sanctus. As the consecration approached, the acolyte would ring the bell as a sign for the choir to remain in silence during the consecration. After the consecration, the bell would be rung again, and the choir would continue with the Benedictus as the second part of the Sanctus.
Today, the ringing of a small bell or bells at Mass remains a custom in many of our parishes although it is no longer required by law.
The only time that this handbell is mentioned is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal is in No. 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. If incense is used, a server incenses the host and the chalice when each is shown to the people after the Consecration.”
The Roman missal twice mentions the use of bells.
First, in the rubrics for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday:
“The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said. While the hymn is being sung, bells are rung, and when it is finished, they remain silent until the Gloria in excelsis of the Easter Vigil, unless, if appropriate, the Diocesan Bishop has decided otherwise. Likewise, during this same period, the organ and other musical instruments may be used only so as to support the singing.”
Second, during the Easter Vigil:
“31. After the last reading from the Old Testament with its Responsorial Psalm and its prayer, the altar candles are lit, and the Priest intones the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the highest), which is taken up by all, while bells are rung, according to local custom.”
The bells mentioned in the above two rubrics are primarily the church bells. However, it is a widespread custom to also ring the handbells for the benefit of the congregation.
With respect to the times and number there is no absolute set rule. When the consecration bells are used in papal Masses, especially when celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, they tend to be a solemn single chime at each moment, closer to the sound of a gong than a bell. A microphone is usually used to amplify the sound.
Most parishes, however, if they use bells at all, tend to prefer handbells with three or four bells.
I believe the most common practice is to ring the bells at the epiclesis when the priest extends his hands over the gifts, and then at each elevation. Practice seems to vary between a single ring each time or three brief rings. As mentioned above, there is no set rule.
As for our reader’s precise questions, we have already commented that the ringing of bells should not contradict clear liturgical instructions.
For this reason, although in many places a bell is rung to indicate the beginning of the entrance procession, I do not believe that it is a legitimate option to ring it during the procession itself. The missal contains detailed indications regarding the antiphons and hymns to be used during this moment (see GIRM Nos. 47-48). The ringing of bells is not contemplated. The same can be said for ringing bells during the Great Amen; the priority should be to encourage the faithful to sing this Amen with solemn fervor.
It might be argued that these bells serve as a cue for the people as to when to kneel and arise. This might have made some sense in the early stages of the liturgical reform. But after 54 years such props should no longer be necessary, and the living of each liturgical moment should be sufficient.
Likewise, as seen in the rubrics for the Holy Triduum cited above, the ringing of bells during the Gloria has a precise meaning in the context of those special days. To do so on other days would practically eliminate the spiritual significance of both the ringing and the silencing of the bells on those days. I do not consider this a profitable or legitimate custom.
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