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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Ratchets instead of Bells for your Electric Angelus

Veronica Brandt · March 28, 2018

Ratchet with crucifix background N THE PAST I HAVE WRITTEN about setting up automatic Angelus bells with a Raspberry Pi computer. It is very handy to have this for anyone not living within earshot of a church that still rings the Angelus.

The Angelus is a prayer in honor of the Annunciation, traditionally said at 6am, noon and 6pm. During Paschaltide it is replaced by the Regina Caeli. In some places you can still here church bells ring at midday, or maybe a short reminder on the radio.

On Good Friday and Holy Saturday however, it is customary to silence the bells and use other noise-makers instead. Fr Z describes these in his Quaeriter: Rattlers in the Sanctuary. There are some very impressive noisemakers, mostly in European museums.

This year I am not quite as frazzled as usual and remembered in time to look for ratchet sound effects and found this collection of Orchestral Ratchets. You remember the sound of the ratchet in the Toy Symphony, but it also comes up in Respighi’s The Pines of Rome and more cacophonic work by Schoenberg and Carl Orff.

Bells are avoided from after the Gloria at the Mass of Our Lord’s Supper through to the Gloria at the Easter Vigil, when they ring again with gusto and organ and unveiling images, so set your ratchet sounds for Friday and Saturday. Or get clappers, castanets and other non-bell percussion instruments and make the most of these sombre days.

Happy almost Easter everyone!



Photo Credit:

Background photo from the Nationaal Archief, Collectie Eerste Wereldoorlog (World War One). “The British Advance in the West: Yet another instance of a crucifix escaping injury from shells.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Raspberry Pi Last Updated: October 29, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“We wish to express the hope that students of Gregorian Chant come back to the pure Vatican Edition, in the ancient block-note form, without the addition of any signs whatever, in order to achieve Gregorian unity.”

— Josef Gogniat (12 March 1938)

Recent Posts

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  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
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  • “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Brave Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording

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