What's up with the clackers in Lent?

WHY DO WE DO THAT?

What's up with the clackers in Lent?

To begin with, the use of bells in the Roman Catholic Church has a long history, dating back to the early Middle Ages. Bells were introduced into Christian worship to signal important moments during the Mass and other liturgical events. The ringing of bells served both a practical and symbolic purpose, calling the faithful to worship, marking significant points during the Mass, and symbolizing the presence of the sacred.

The clackers, in the Mass, also known as ratchets or lenten clappers, are wooden devices used in place of church bells during Lent. The tradition dates back to the medieval period, when the use of bells during Lent was forbidden as part of a solemn period of penance and reflection leading up to Easter. The bells, which usually rang to signal Mass and other church events, were traditionally silent from Ash Wednesday until Easter Vigil to symbolize the mourning of Christ's death and the somber nature of the season.

In place of bells, clackers or ratchets, which are manually operated wooden devices that produce a loud, rhythmic noise, are used to call people to Mass or signal the liturgies during this time. The sound produced by these clackers are a more mournful or harsh noise, emphasizing the penitent nature of Lent, in contrast to the joyful sound of bells that typically mark other liturgical periods.

This practice helps to reinforce the penitential atmosphere of Lent, reflecting the somber tone of the season as Catholics focused on prayer, fasting, and penance in preparation for Easter.

Peace,

Deacon Bill Turner