What a lovely story about St Conall, especially as the little egg was layed in his hand while he was sleeping. A true gift!! A true sign of forgiveness .... I am also wondering if handbells could be re-introduced again in churches, I just love the idea of ringing bells (which we still have on continental Europe) and miss their alerting-celebrating sounds in Scotland where I live now. I am not sure if they are used more as part of the Orthodox liturgy? (I am Catholic).
In most Catholic services (at least in the UK) there is still the ringing of a handbell during the liturgy of the Eucharist, usually three short rings for the body of Jesus (the bread) and three for the blood of Jesus (the wine).
The ringing is typically done by an altar boy or girl.
Thanks Rockylives, I did remember it as I was writing my comment. I suppose what I had in mind was also someone standing outside the church, ringing a handbell vigorously in intervals before the mass starts. (Funnily, a Gandalf figure came to me - stern but kind, old but ageless..... oh, the fantasy of an old woman in the 21st century!)
Bell ringing in the Orthodox Church can be quite elaborate indeed and is seen as very important. Sadly, many of us in the far West are in small parishes who are struggling financially and can't afford bells. In the old country, it was often the practice of tyrannical powers to confiscate church bells to melt down, which gave rise to the practice of using the Symantron, which is a wooden board which is hit with a mallet as a call to prayer. I think we only see their use today in monasteries.
It is my personal belief (haven't seen it said anyplace) that the ringing of bells or the banging of the Symantron is an act of spiritual warfare. Its something I can perceive and would be interested to find if I am on point about this.
I believe that in some folkloric traditions a swallow is said to have comforted Jesus on the cross by chattering away to him as he died. I wonder if that connection was known in Ireland, hence the significance of St Conall receiving a swallow's egg as he slept?
The 'stations' described in the schoolchild's account refer to 11 cairns. Interesting to know whether they remain or have been dismantled in the intervening years.
In Ireland, there's a folk belief that the Robin consoled Christ on the Cross and tried to pull out the crown of thorns. A drop of Christ's blood fell on the bird, hence his redbreast. Hadn't heard a story re swallows but perhaps someone else has.
Reading this was like worshipping in a quiet church. Hand bells were a favorite in many of the churches I have attended (Evangelical Churches in the U. S.), now sadly and derangedly supplanted by Rock 'n Roll cacophonies. I refuse to attend them now.
Such a sweet story; thank you for sharing, Paul. How fitting was St. Conall's penance--for not only his soul, but his very hands to be humbled and gentled enough that a bird would lay an egg in them.
(Paul, I've been meaning to recommend a book about the life of St. Patrick, "Flame Over Tara." We did a lot of reading aloud with our four children in our homeschooling years, and that was one of our favorites. Very well-written.)
The Healing Path- by Jim Finley arrived today and I have not been able to put it down. A must read for those who are seeking and needing guidance- we can all learn from this living humble mystic still amongst us.
What a lovely story about St Conall, especially as the little egg was layed in his hand while he was sleeping. A true gift!! A true sign of forgiveness .... I am also wondering if handbells could be re-introduced again in churches, I just love the idea of ringing bells (which we still have on continental Europe) and miss their alerting-celebrating sounds in Scotland where I live now. I am not sure if they are used more as part of the Orthodox liturgy? (I am Catholic).
In most Catholic services (at least in the UK) there is still the ringing of a handbell during the liturgy of the Eucharist, usually three short rings for the body of Jesus (the bread) and three for the blood of Jesus (the wine).
The ringing is typically done by an altar boy or girl.
Thanks Rockylives, I did remember it as I was writing my comment. I suppose what I had in mind was also someone standing outside the church, ringing a handbell vigorously in intervals before the mass starts. (Funnily, a Gandalf figure came to me - stern but kind, old but ageless..... oh, the fantasy of an old woman in the 21st century!)
Bell ringing in the Orthodox Church can be quite elaborate indeed and is seen as very important. Sadly, many of us in the far West are in small parishes who are struggling financially and can't afford bells. In the old country, it was often the practice of tyrannical powers to confiscate church bells to melt down, which gave rise to the practice of using the Symantron, which is a wooden board which is hit with a mallet as a call to prayer. I think we only see their use today in monasteries.
https://youtu.be/qbn_Fzcxw3o?si=WwGBFV335KErFysm- bells
https://youtu.be/34WHPjqSPr8?si=prq1A3lHXR_MSDaR - Symantron
It is my personal belief (haven't seen it said anyplace) that the ringing of bells or the banging of the Symantron is an act of spiritual warfare. Its something I can perceive and would be interested to find if I am on point about this.
Beautiful, and moving, this morning when I am not in church. Thank you.
A beautiful story.
I believe that in some folkloric traditions a swallow is said to have comforted Jesus on the cross by chattering away to him as he died. I wonder if that connection was known in Ireland, hence the significance of St Conall receiving a swallow's egg as he slept?
The 'stations' described in the schoolchild's account refer to 11 cairns. Interesting to know whether they remain or have been dismantled in the intervening years.
In Ireland, there's a folk belief that the Robin consoled Christ on the Cross and tried to pull out the crown of thorns. A drop of Christ's blood fell on the bird, hence his redbreast. Hadn't heard a story re swallows but perhaps someone else has.
I hadn't heard that swallow story. That's great.
This reminded me that the Irish for ladybird/ladybug is "Bóinn Dé" which means "God's little cow"
Same name for ladybirds in Russian too.
Wow, that's lovely!
I LOVE YOU
Reading this was like worshipping in a quiet church. Hand bells were a favorite in many of the churches I have attended (Evangelical Churches in the U. S.), now sadly and derangedly supplanted by Rock 'n Roll cacophonies. I refuse to attend them now.
Such a sweet story; thank you for sharing, Paul. How fitting was St. Conall's penance--for not only his soul, but his very hands to be humbled and gentled enough that a bird would lay an egg in them.
(Paul, I've been meaning to recommend a book about the life of St. Patrick, "Flame Over Tara." We did a lot of reading aloud with our four children in our homeschooling years, and that was one of our favorites. Very well-written.)
Thanks so much for these beautiful reflections! I am enjoying them.
"By the time you emerge from all that, you’ll be just about ready to become a Protestant."
Ha! Made my morning, thank you.
The Healing Path- by Jim Finley arrived today and I have not been able to put it down. A must read for those who are seeking and needing guidance- we can all learn from this living humble mystic still amongst us.