Dear Catholic Exchange:
I am a member of a Catholic Church handbell choir. In addition to ringing at masses, our choir has been invited to and rang at hospitals, nursing homes, Memorial Day wreath laying services, retirement centers, ladies club luncheons, senior citizen lunches, concerts at churches of other denominations, hosted a patriotic concert and gone to AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers) instructional seminars. Naturally being a church choir the mainstay of our repertoire is sacred music. While performing our ministry at any one of the previously mentioned gatherings, in addition to our well rehearsed sacred music, we have added through the years such pieces such as “The Bells of Saint Mary's”, “Silver Bells”,”Hakuna Matata” selections from Phantom of the Opera, “We wish You A Merry Christmas”, “March from the Nutcracker”, “White Christmas”, “Jingle Bells” and patriotic music.
We were recently informed, much to the dismay of our handbell director and choir members, that the performing of ANYTHING but sacred music is no longer allowed because it is against Church rules that secular music be performed on the bells because they are blessed. I would appreciate input on this matter and/or information on where I would be able to get more information on this supposed rule. Thank you in advance for any assistance or information you can render.
Elizabeth C. Diver
Dear Mrs. Diver,
Peace in Christ!
Would you be able to get a copy of the blessing used for the choir's handbells? The blessing may have dedicated the handbells for liturgical use and/or for sacred music that glorifies God.
For example, the following is from the “Rite of Blessing an Organ” (which might have been modified for handbells):
Address by Priest:
“My dear brothers and sisters, we have come together to bless this new organ, installed so that the celebration of the liturgy may become more beautiful and solemn. The purpose of music in the liturgy is above all to give glory to God and to lead us to holiness. Thus the music of the organ wonderfully expresses the new song that Scripture tells us to sing to the Lord. To sing this new song is to live rightly, to follow God's will eagerly and gladly, and, by loving one another, to carry out the new commandment that Jesus gave us.”
Prayer of Blessing:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
beauty ever ancient, ever new,
who govern the world in your wisdom,
and cover it in splendid light by your goodness;
to you the choirs of angels sing, ever ready at your every signal;
to you the stars of heaven sing hymns in the constant rhythm of the cosmos;
the assembly of the redeemed proclaims you holy,
and with heart, voice and life, celebrates the glory of your name.
Now, we pray O Lord: bless this new organ,
so that it may sound to your glory,
and raise our hearts to you.
We your people, joyously gathered in this church,
wish to join our voices to the universal hymn of praise.
So that our song may rise more worthily to your majesty,
we present this organ for your blessing;
grant that its music may lead us
to express our prayer and praise
in melodies that are pleasing to you.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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