Nothing says Catholic like church bells...we invented them for worship! In fact, in the Catholic tradition church bells are considered almost human for they are referred to as the Vox Dei or the Voice of God calling you to Mass and prayer. Catholic church bells are actually baptized before being installed into a tower or steeple and given a name. The bells of Saint Peter have names like St. Peter, the Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph and were cast at the Stuckstede Foundary at 8th and Allen Streets in Soulard. The middle bell is the oldest (1867) and named for Saint Peter and the other two were cast in 1922 with a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bloemker.

The ringing of the bells has been associated with Catholic worship for centuries. It is said that people never forget the unique sound of their own parish bells no matter how long they are away. Bells in church buildings were often referred to as “Gabriel Bells” in honor of the angel Gabriel, the messenger of good news.

The dedication of church bells, referred to as the “baptism of a bell,” is an elaborate ceremony, using holy water, blessed Chrism, and prayers of invocation. Blessed bells were regarded as a sacramental. The first known use of bells in churches was by a bishop named Paulinus in the year 400. By the Middle Ages, the ringing of bells had become an elaborate ritual rich with symbolism: the “Sacrament bell” was rung to get people’s attention before the sermon (it’s not known if this was as a warning or as a welcome or to keep them awake!), the “Ave Bells” were rung during devotions to Mary at certain times of the day and the “passing bells” solemnly tolled at funerals.

One of the other reasons for ringing bells during the liturgy was to announce the elevation of the host and of the chalice. An architectural feature of churches for many years was the separation of the sanctuary from the main assembly area by large, ornate partitions known as rood screens. (It was thought that only the clergy and choir could actually watch the sacred elevation and actions of the priest. Even the choir wasn’t always allowed to observe the elevation, and a curtain was drawn around the altar and priest at this time.) Some may actually remember the remnant of the rood screen, the altar rail. On the other side of the rood screen, the congregation involved itself in private devotions and prayers such as the rosary, since they were not active participants in the action of the liturgy or the Mass. The bells were rung by servers to announce that something important was happening behind the rood screen, so that the people could participate by ear, if not by eye. Often chalices were adorned with small bells so that the movement up and down would attract people’s attention. The use of bells during the consecration, while a tradition during the Mass, is no longer needed as we clearly see the priest and the altar and the elevation of the host and chalice. The rood screen is no longer a fixture in our churches. The assembly is encouraged to join in the dialogue and acclamations of the Eucharistic Prayer. Often our silence after each elevation is an act of adoration itself and a prayer of gratitude for what has just happened on the altar in imitation of Jesus at the Last Supper.

The ringing of outside bells is a marvelous and traditional way to call people to worship, to enhance liturgical processions or to announce the times of the morning and evening prayer. Our bells also ring for the traditional prayer of the Angelus at 12:00 noon and 6:00 in the evening and a reminder of the Annunciation Story of the Angel Gabriel appearing to the Blessed Mother announcing her to be the Mother of God and the beginning of our salvation in Jesus.

We also ring our bells at 9:00 in the evening remembering a Catholic Church tradition even older than the Angelus bell. It is the last bell of the day and it is called the “De profundis” bell. It is so named from the psalm prayed during a funeral Mass that began with the Latin phrase, De profundis ad te clamamus, Domine, which translates as, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.”

When one hears that bell, which is rung nine times to strike the hour of the day, it is rung like a funeral toll. It is meant to remind you of people you know who have died and to pray for them. Since it is also the last bell of the day, its distinctive ring is also meant to remind you to review your day, an Ignatian Examen, of how well you lived your day in Christ or did not.

St. Peter bells are one of the few Catholic churches in our area that actually rings the De profundis bell. Pay attention to it during your summer walks or listen for it if you live close by. It is meant to be a great meditation of remembering...your loved ones who have died and your day about to end.

Even when silent, bells evoke a certain attention to the place they adorn as they wait to summon the community to prayer. We are so fortunate to have real bells and bells of such quality and age as part of our St. Peter church sacramentals.