Angelus the Church Bells of Angels in Provence

Ginger and Nutmeg live near to the village church. When they first return to France it takes several days to get adjusted. Between the 8-hour time change and the village bells, there is no need to wear a watch. The clock tower bells chime every hour, day and night. Angelus is the Latin word for angel. The number of rings at the top of the hour, indicate the time of day and a single chime designates the 30-minute mark.

Twice a day, there is an exception to that routine, at noon and 19:00. At these hours, the Angelus bells are rung in the church. Angelus is the Latin word for angel. The practice seems to surround biblical verse, and religious devotion Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ  “… the Angel of the Lord declared on to Mary.”

In the Catholic Church, the tradition revolved around the call to prayer three times a day, morning, midday and evening. The experts and historical writings seem to indicate that the Hail Mary was repeated three times followed by other prayers. However, the exact origins of this convention and even the precise prayers are ambiguous. What is certain is that the practice is deep-rooted and tethered to the church.

Regardless, of the historical details it is a lovely tradition and marker of the day’s passing. The ringing is quite distinct, commencing with a sequence of 18 rings. Continue reading here for further the original Ginger & Nutmeg article and a description of the ringing of the Bells of Angels.

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).