Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 419 Jones Street, Moville, IA 51039-0802 US - GENERAL INSTRUCTION ON THE ROMAN MISSAL

THE NEW GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL was introduced in 2003, effective 17 March 2003. Since then there have been some changes taking place in the celebration of the Eucharist that affect all ministers. The implementation of many of these changes was put on hold when we had no bishop (January 2004-January 2006). With the arrival of Bishop Nickless in January 2006 these changes are slowly being implemented until the Sacramentary is issued in a couple of years. One of these changes regards bells used during the Eucharist Prayer. The GIRM of 1 November 1973 stated, “A little before the consecration, the minister may ring a bell as a signal to the people. According to local custom, he also rings the bell at each elevation.” [#109, emphasis added] As a result, in some Diocese and parishes the use of the bells ceased. Bishop Soens and Bishop DiNardo did not use the bells at Diocesan celebrations and at the Cathedral during their term. And most parishes only rang a “bell at each elevation.” However, the 2003 GIRM states, “A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the people. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chalice.” [#150] And thus the bells are being reintroduced at Diocesan, Cathedral, and parish celebrations of the Eucharist.

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