My fellow Catholics, are you offended by the phrase "smells and bells"?

Question

I've heard this phrase used to describe Catholic traditions like bells and incense being used in Church. A friend asked me why I wasn't offended by it. I said it didn't bother me at all, because the "smells and bells" are something that I really love about our faith. The incense is a reminder of our prayers rising up to God. It is also a sign of purification. And the bells are a way of calling us to worship, and also a symbol of our joy. What's wrong with that?

What do you think? Are you offended by this phrase?

Answer 1

I think it is a great phrase. It reminds us that Catholicism has very tactile traditions - we try to be very physical in our worship, mindful that God has given us physical forms to work with.

Answer 2

I haven't heard this one before, but like someone else said, "Fish eaters", "mackerel munchers" but not "smells and bells".

It doesn't bother me, I have been called worse in my faith - sometimes by my own family (I am the only Catholic in my family).

I don't remember who it was here that said "When we have to depend on bells and incense to remind us about what God has done for us we are in direr [sic] trouble" perhaps you should read the book of Revelations:

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.

Answer 3

I've never heard that used before, but no, I'm not offended by it. I consider those wonderful "smells and bells" and other sacramentals (that's their proper name) to be a plus of the Catholic religion. All of the outward signs of God's grace. Another I like is when the priest goes thoroughout the congregation and throws holy water on everyone, blessing them. All of these things actually have ancient origins, going back to the earliest days of the Church. Ancient traditions of the Church connect us back to the early apostolic days.

Answer 4

As an ex-Catholic atheist I am still offended by those that claim Catholics aren't Christians because "they worship Mary and pray to the saints". I have never heard the "bells and smells" quip.

Answer 5

No, not at all. I love our Mass, smells and bells included.

As Scott Hahn said so perfectly, the Mass is heaven touching earth.



Don't mind Don S - he's a rabid anti-Catholic.

Answer 6

Doesn't offend me at all. Most Catholics I know, including myself, use the phrase affectionately, and it may even have been coined by Catholics themselves. It's a meaningful part of liturgical worship, inviting us to use all of our senses -- not just hearing and sight -- in praise and thanksgiving.

Answer 7

No, not offended at all. The catholic faith incorporates all of the senses as part of worship. It reinforces our belief that God made all things and He made them good. God is experienced through His creation, including us.

No one can insult you unless you let them.

Answer 8

Never heard "smells and bells" before. I have heard Catholics referred to as "fish eaters". Honestly, neither really bothers me.

Answer 9

No, I'm not offended by that.

Don S - tell that to the early Christians.

Answer 10

i am not offended at all about it because our faith a is a very traditional one. but i am offended by people calling thmeselves "recovering catholics"