Month Of The Rosary/Bells Will Be Ringing

Q October is referred to as the Month of the Rosary.  Why?

A The following is an excerpt from an article entitled “Why is October the Month of the Rosary?” written by Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg of Reno, Nevada on Sept. 25, 2018 for the Northwest Catholic Journal.

“The short answer is this: October is dedicated as the Month of the Rosary because we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary each year on Oct. 7.

“To understand this feast, we need to go back in time. In the 16th century, the Islamic Ottoman Empire presented a serious military threat to western Europe and sent a fleet of ships to attack Christian defenses in southern Europe. Pope Pius V recognized the grave danger and organized a fleet called the Holy League to confront the navy of the Ottoman Turks.

On Oct. 7, 1571, the two navies engaged in a pivotal battle that would determine who controlled maritime traffic in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. The fate of western Europe depended upon the success of Christians in this navy battle, which involved more than 400 warships (it was the largest naval battle in Western history for centuries).

“Pope Pius V knew he needed more than just military strength to defend Christian Europe, so he asked that all the faithful pray the rosary, requesting the intercession of the Blessed Mother. At the end of the Battle of Lepanto, the Holy League was victorious and the maritime expansion of the Ottoman Empire was permanently prevented.

“The next year, Pius V established a feast on Oct. 7 in honor of the Blessed Mother, originally called Our Lady of Victory. After a few centuries, the name was changed to Our Lady of the Rosary to more clearly recognize that prayer was the greatest power at work that day on the seas.”

The rosary is a powerful prayer.  Pray it often and with confidence.  Pope Pius V attributed more to the “weapon” of the rosary than to the power of cannons and the valor of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Lepanto.  This might be a good month to turn off your radio when you get in your car and to offer up your petitions to Mary as you pray the rosary. 

Q Why do we ring the bells in Mass?

A Ringing of bells during the Mass is an old custom, dating back to at least the 13th century.  It may have been inspired by changes in church architecture where the people were unable to see the altar during Mass.  Thus, ringing of bells became necessary to alert the congregation that something important was happening.

Since then, the practical reasons for ringing the bells have all but disappeared but bell ringing can still serve the purpose to call attention to the moment of the consecration, to reawaken wandering minds and a useful teaching tool for children and adults alike.  It also adds reverence and solemnity to the Mass; bell ringing is another way to praise God.

According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal ringing of bells is allowed in two places during Mass:

Shortly before the consecration, at the time of the epiclesis in the Eucharistic Prayer when the priest extends his hands over the bread and wine to be consecrated.  He prays that the gifts of bread and wine will be blessed so that they may become the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The ringing of the bell alerts the congregation that the consecration of the bread and wine is about to take place at the elevation of both the eucharistic bread and the chalice.   After the consecration of the host and the wine, the priest elevates the sacred host and the chalice of precious blood for all to see.  The ringing of the bells signals to the congregation that the bread and wine is now the body and blood of Christ.

For more information, Google  Catholic Straight Answers – When May bells be used at Mass?

Deacon Hooper is a deacon assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. He can be reached at [email protected].