Bells

“Tho’ I’m no Catholic, I listen hard when the bells in the yellow—brick tower of their new church ring down the leaves … ring in Sunday morning and old age which adds as it takes away. Let them ring, only ring! … Let them ring for the eyes and ring for the hands and ring for the children of my friend who no longer hears them ring … O bells ring for the ringing! The beginning and the end of the ringing! Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring Catholic bells—!” (Excerpt of a poem by William Carlos Williams, 1883-1963)

Bells form a distinct aspect of the Christian experience, stretching far back into history as an engagement of the auditory sense, beckoning us to attention of important moments. While Williams admits he isn’t Catholic, he still welcomes the ringing of the bells and pauses to listen to them, even just for the sake of hearing them ring. They connect us to the living history of our society, and call to people who may just be passing by. At OLMC, despite being redundant in the aspect of timekeeping as was necessary in times of yore, we still have bells that ring throughout the day signaling the progression of the hours.

Inside the church, too, we ring bells during the Mass. First is at the Epiclesis, which is when the priest begs the Father to send the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, so that the offerings may become the body and blood of Christ. Second and Third is at the elevation of the Sacred Host and the Precious Chalice in the act of offering the Body and Blood of Christ, respectively, to the Father. The bells are rung at these most important parts of the Mass, calling us to attention, and giving praise to God through joyful noise.

Starting next week, the altar servers will toll a bell twice to announce the start of Mass. This is a historic tradition of the Church, signaling that we have entered a sacred time, a time set aside from the world outside the church and given instead wholly to God. At this signal of the bell, after praying our pre-Mass preparatory prayers, we will stand for the Processional to the Altar.

Bells have a very important use and meaning in the church, and I hope we can further find edification and inspiration in them, just as Williams showed in his poem. The Church’s prayer for the Blessing of Bells sums it up well: “We praise you, Lord, Father all-holy. To a world wounded and divided by sin, you sent your only Son. He gave His life for His sheep, to gather them into one fold and to guide and feed them as their one shepherd. May your people hasten to your church when they hear the call of this bell. May they persevere in the teaching of the apostles, in steadfast fellowship, in unceasing prayer, and in the breaking of the bread. May they remain ever one in mind and heart to the glory of your name.”