Your Answers 

What is the significance, when ringing the Angelus bell, of ringing three sets of three and then a nine? Why that pattern?

The real significance of this pattern is not a hidden symbolism - trinitarian or otherwise - but the likelihood that it reflects the origins of the Angelus. This thrice-daily devotion in the Western Church has its roots in the spirituality and practice of the medieval Church, when the sound of bells constantly summoned both members of monastic communities and layfolk to set times of daily prayer.

Many of our best authorities, such as the late Fr H. Thurston SJ and Fr Esser OP, have led us to think that the Angelus and its accompanying bells derive, by imitation, from the night prayers of religious orders; at the close of the day, it became customary to use the angelic salutation.

A decree of a Franciscan General Chapter in the time of St Bonaventure actually ordered the laity to say Hail Marys when the Compline bell rang. The nine strokes at the Angelus seem to have been connected with the prayer bell for Compline, or possibly with the curfew, or both. The triple sequence during the recitation of the Hail Marys has also been connected with prayer times in the monks' horarium.

Several monastic customals mention a custom of ringing three separate peals of bells before some of the daily offices to call the brethren to assemble for what were known as the tres orationes. It seems that, once again, the laity were encouraged to associate their prayers with those of the monks, but, instead of their elaborate orations, the well-known Ave Maria became the lay people's choice.

It seems feasible that in this way the Angelus evolved, and the pattern of the nine bells from the late-evening devotion was joined to the triple peals at the morning and midday observance.

(Canon) Terry Palmer
Magor, Monmouthshire

Your Questions 

Should former canons who have ceased to hold office on moving out of the diocese or retiring, and who are not "Emeritus", still be addressed as such? Crockford seems ambivalent about this.

J. B.

The figure in best barbecue garb approached; huge hairy arms offered me the chalice. Sandals did not conceal socks ringed in more than all the colours of the raibow. Is this justified because half the congregation is similarly dressed? Is any direction given to those licensed to assist at communion?

J. C.

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