The Church Bell
For many decades, anyone living in North Judson has heard our church
bell ring at 7 AM, Noon, and 6 PM every day of the year except Good
Friday and Holy Saturday, but perhaps you did not know why it rings.
Actually, it's not to remind people when to eat breakfast, lunch and
dinner, but rather to remind Catholics when to pray, and in particular,
when to pray the Angelus.
The Angelus is a short practice of devotion proclaiming the Incarnation of Our Lord. It consists of three short verses or versicles, each followed by a 'Hail Mary', and concludes with another versicle and prayer. You may have noted that the bell tolls 3 times, pauses, tolls 3 more times, pauses, tolls 3 more times, pauses, and then peals for a minute or so. The pattern coincides with the structure of the prayer itself.
The Angelus is a short practice of devotion proclaiming the Incarnation of Our Lord. It consists of three short verses or versicles, each followed by a 'Hail Mary', and concludes with another versicle and prayer. You may have noted that the bell tolls 3 times, pauses, tolls 3 more times, pauses, tolls 3 more times, pauses, and then peals for a minute or so. The pattern coincides with the structure of the prayer itself.
The Angelus (Refer to Luke 1:26-38)
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, full of grace The Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women And Blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners Now and at the hour of our death. Amen. V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done to me according to thy word. Hail Mary... V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary... V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. For more information on the Angelus, check the link below. Angelus Bell |
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