Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

Going to church while I was young were two of the most memorable parts of a Catholic Mass that I remember. They were the sounds that we hear and the scents we smell.

Bells have been used in the Church for centuries to call our attention to the most sacred moments of the Mass. When the bells ring during the consecration, they gently remind us that something extraordinary is taking place that ordinary bread and wine are becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. In busy or distracted moments that we live in these days, the sound of the bells invites us to refocus our hearts and minds on the mystery before us.

Often, the bells used during mass at Holy Spirit consist of One Bell to call out our attention followed by the ringing of three consecutive bells, and this is by no accident. The number three holds deep significance in our faith, most notably representing the Holy Trinity, The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Traditionally, the bells are rung at two distinct moments during the consecration, underscoring the sacredness of each action and reinforcing the Trinitarian nature of our worship. The presence of three rings reminds us that God is fully present, calling, redeeming, and sanctifying His people.

The importance of three also echoes throughout Scripture and Catholic tradition: Christ rises on the third day, Peter professes his love for Jesus three times, and many of our prayers and blessings are offered in the name of the Trinity. Each ring of the bells is a quiet proclamation of what we believe.

As we are awakened by the Bells of the mass, Incense, the “smells”, engages another sense. Its rising smoke is rich with symbolism, reflecting the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. When incense fills the church, especially on solemn feasts, it honors the altar, the Gospel, and the presence of Christ, reminding us that worship is meant to be reverent, prayerful, and lifted beyond ourselves.

Together, bells and incense draw us out of the ordinary and into the sacred. They awaken our senses and call our hearts to attention, reminding us that we are standing on holy ground. When the bells ring and the incense rises, heaven and earth meet, and we are invited to lift our prayers, our lives, and our very selves to God.

As Scripture reminds us: “The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.” - Revelation 8:4

May we never allow these sacred signs to fade into background noise, but instead hear the bells, breathe in the incense, and recognize the holy moment unfolding before us at every Mass.

 Joe Marateo