After the Gloria in excelsis is sung on Maundy Thursday, bells in the church are silent. Instead, a “Crotalus,” popularly known as the “clacker,” is used in place of bells until Gloria in excelsis resumes at the Easter Vigil.

Since bells customarily signify joy, during this most solemn time of the Triduum when we focus on Christ’s Passion, Death, and repose in the tomb, the Church has traditionally used the stark and shocking sound of the Crotalus instead.

Below are pictures of the two Crotali that St. Michael’s possesses. Below them is a brief video highlighting their sound.

(above) Saint Michael’s Old Crotalus

(above) Saint Michael’s new Crotalus

(above) What the Crotalus sounds like.