When you hear a bell ring, what do you think of? 

For some, the dong of a bell means the start of some activity. Others the ring indicates a particular time of day. Depending on the setting, its monotonous tone is indicative of something more somber, or defining.

Our Church has also incorporated the use of bells- to summon the Christian people to prayer, or to alert towns and cities of important happenings in the community. The peal of the bells, then, is in a way an expression of the sentiments of the people of God as they rejoice or grieve, offer thanks or petition, gather together and show outwardly the mystery of their oneness in Christ. 

Not only are bells used outside, but inside as well. We use the sound of bells during our liturgies to announce moments of great joy- for instance you may hear bells run during the singing of the Gloria at Easter or at Christmas, or to mark the start of the Mass. 

In addition, bells can be used during the Mass to mark the moment when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. We see this take place after the Priest says the words of consecration and elevates the paten and chalice. 

In the coming weeks, you’ll begin to hear the bells rung during Mass, as the Priest elevates the paten containing the Sacred Host and the chalice containing the Precious Blood. Why? We as Catholics incorporate all our senses during our liturgical rites. The smell of incense recalls our prayers rising up to God. Blessing ourselves with Holy Water as we enter and depart physically reconnects us with the day of our Baptism. Liturgical artwork, such as statues, icons, or stained-glass windows, inspires us as it reflects the beauty of God’s creation. And if we are able to receive holy Communion, we taste and see that the Lord is good under the elements of bread and wine now fully become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. 

May the sound of the bells remind us all of the specialness and sacredness of the moment as Jesus comes to us and we are blessed to take part in His Eucharistic sacrifice.   

Peace,

Paul