Harmony School Road, a mile west of Flemington, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, is a quiet, residential area. A few cars pass along the road, and from time to time a jet flies overhead on its way to or from the Newark airport. The singing of birds is more noticeable than the drone of machines. But there is one sound which rings through the air of the neighborhood several times a day: the sound of the Monastery Bells.
For centuries, church bells have rung out over towns and villages, monasteries and cities, calling the people to lift up their hearts in praise and thanksgiving to God. This custom continues at the Carmel of Mary Immaculate and Saint Mary Magdalen as the bells summon the Nuns to Choir throughout the day.
The monastery has two bells, named for its two patrons: the smaller, soprano bell is the Saint Mary Magdalen Bell, and the larger, deeper toned bell is the Mary Immaculate Bell. Church bells have names, and they are christened, that is, “anointed,” in a special ceremony when they are blessed.
The bells ring for Mass, for the Liturgy of the Hours and for other prayers.
Three times a day, at morning, noon and evening, the monastery bells ring the Angelus. This is a very ancient and much loved custom, for it recalls to our minds the moment when God became Man for our sake. The Fathers of the Church taught that “God became man so that man may become God,” and the Angelus reminds of this truth of our faith.
Through the ages, the Angelus continues to spread through the world the knowledge of God’s love and power shown in the Incarnation.
Join the Nuns in praying the Angelus!
The bell rings 3 strokes. “The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
The bell rings 3 strokes. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word. Hail Mary,…”
The bell rings 3 strokes. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Hail Mary,…”
The bell rings 7 doubles. “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech you, O God, your grace into our hearts that we to whom the Incarnation of your Son was made known by the message of an Angel may, by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.”
