We Are Back At St. Anthony Mission Church!
 

Resumption of Masses

Returning to Mass Guidelines

Mailing Check

St. Anthony Mission
21 Main Street
Hardeeville, SC 29927

(Remember to put your parishioner number on the check).

Via Website
 

Online Giving

(This requires that you set up an account).

Online Banking

You can set up, through your bank's Bill Pay, an online account that will mail your donation to the church for you. 
(Don't forget to include your parishioner number somewhere in the setup).

Why Do We Ring Bells at Mass?
Alice Cella - Liturgy Committee Member

Bells have purpose, either to proclaim joy or to call the attention of the faithful. Their use dates to the 6th Century when there were no conventional clocks. They were used to alert religious to prayer for the Liturgy of the Hours. This is an ancient practice rooted in Jewish prayer (Ps. 119:164) “Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances.” Then bells became larger and were placed in towers to alert the people of the time for worship. Large bells told the monks working in the fields that the consecration was taking place at Mass. They would kneel in the fields in reverence. The person who rang the bells was called a sexton. Bells tolled when someone in the town or village died, they also indicated festive occasions. They began to be used in churches when the faithful were crowded in and could not see the altar, so small bells signaled the time of consecration. They are rung today for that same purpose. The use of bells is suspended during Lent, sometimes a wood clapper is used in their place. Then at the Vigil Mass of Easter they are used to convey great joy and are rung throughout the Gloria.

In some churches, seminaries, or monasteries the bells are rung briefly at the Epiclesis, or calling down of the Holy Spirit, when the priest prays with his hands over the elements saying:

“... that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Years ago, a little bell was rung accompanying the priest bringing Communion (Viatcum)to a sick or dying person in a hospital.

Bells are messengers which call the hearts of the faithful to prayer.