At my local church the bells chime at 12pm.Why? What is the origin? Is it strictly a catholic thing?

Answer 1

Likely the Angelus, an ancient prayer.

For more, go here:

http://www.lmi.utvinternet.com/angelus.htm

Answer 2

I don't share the same experience as you but when I was studying in a convent, I remembered a nun recounting her childhood in Italy. She said her village church bells would chime five times a day. Back then, people were really pious and church leaders were revered more than politicians. She said the church bells chimed to help villagers keep track of the time each day. Very few wore watches, so the chime came in handy to remind them when to start work in the fields, when to eat lunch and when to stop work. Also, the chimes reminded people when to pray because Italian catholics were expected to pray quite a few times a day in those days.

Answer 3

Those are the Angelus bells. Rung in the morning, noon, and evening. It is not only RC's, but you usually hear it at an RC church. It is a time to remember the incarnation of Jesus. At noon, you can also think of the hour he hung on the cross. There are prayer that you can say as the bells are ringing.

Answer 4

Weird.Why would church bells peal at midnight.Now 12am noon that I can understand.12pm beats me,unless it's to get the bats out the belfry

Answer 5

I think it has something to do with the hour that Jesus was raised upon the cross, mid day. (I am not catholic, but student of the Word.)

Answer 6

Shure..