Author Topic: Question about Good Friday processional (Read 1141 times)

jhfromsf68 · « **on:** April 23, 2011, 01:08:50 PM »

When I attended Good Friday liturgy yesterday I noticed something that has my curiosity up. When the priests and altar servers processed back into the church with the Blessed Sacrament under the canopy, one of the subdeacons had a small wooden object in his hand , it's hard for me to describe it, but it looked almost like a little wooden gong and he would strike it hard causing a loud clanking sound as they were proceeding toward the altar.

Does anyone know what this object is? I've been to Traditional Good Friday liturgies in the past and never noticed this before.

Good bless
James

MaterDominici · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2011, 01:36:02 PM »

Are you asking what it's called or what it's for?

We call it the clacker.

My dh and kids were in our chapel hallway when Father processed out with the Blessed Sacrament yesterday. My 3-y-o later told me, "we had to kneel down because the clacker went by."

Um... yea... sort of.

jhfromsf68 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2011, 08:47:22 PM »

I guess I'm wondering what it's called and what it's purpose is.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2011, 09:27:15 PM »

I do not know what it's officially called, but it serves the same function as bells during the period of time when bells are not allowed in the liturgy -- from just after the Gloria on Holy Thursday until the Gloria in the first Mass of Easter.

So, it would be used during the consecration on Holy Thursday, in moving the Blessed Sacrament away from the main altar after Mass on Thursday, processing the Blessed Sacrament in order to distribute Communion on Good Friday, etc.

jhfromsf68 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2011, 12:33:28 AM »

Thanks for your response Mater. Happy Easter to you and your family !

romanitaspress · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:11:06 AM »

In Latin it is called a crotalus, which means rattle, though we tend to call it a clacker or clapper.

It is used to replace the usual bell (which signifies joy) to impress the sorrowful mood of Our Lord's Passion.

Hope this helps.