Crotalus (instrument)

Today, Crotalus (instrument) is a topic that is gaining relevance in different areas of society. Its impact has extended to multiple sectors, generating debate and controversy around its implications and consequences. From the economic to the social spheres, Crotalus (instrument) has captured the attention of experts and citizens alike, who seek to better understand its influence and find ways to address its challenges. In this article, we will comprehensively explore the meaning, scope and implications of Crotalus (instrument), as well as possible strategies to address its challenges.

This article is about the liturgical rattle. For the genus of rattlesnakes, see Crotalus. For the antique musical instrument, see Crotalum.

A crotalus on display

A crotalus (Spanish: matraca),[1][2] also known as a crotalum or clapper, is a wooden liturgical rattle or clapper that replaces altar bells during the celebration of the Tridentine Paschal Triduum at the end of Lent in the Catholic Church.[3][4][5] It is also occasionally used during the celebration of the Ordinary Form Roman Missal during the Paschal Triduum, but its popularity decreased following the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council.[6] The crotalus is also sometimes used in Episcopal Church parishes.[7][8]

Etymology

The Latin word crotalus (and the less frequently referenced liturgical instrument crotalum) derive from the Ancient Greek krotalon (κρόταλον). The latter term referred to a type of clapper, rattle, or castanet as used in Ancient Greece and Egypt.[9]

Appearance and use

A matraca from Mission Santa Barbara, c. 1900

Made of wood, the particular construction and manner of noise-making varies between different clappers. Some use an integral hammer that strikes the wood, while others use a piece of wood that rides over a gear to make a clicking noise.[10] Historian James Stevens Curl considered the crotalus a descendant of earlier sistrum, an ancient Egyptian ritual instrument. Historically, the crotalus was common in Maundy Thursday Ethiopic liturgies.[11]

The Memoriale Rituum, a former Roman Rite liturgical book for parochial usage in certain times of the liturgical calendar, has rubrics saying the altar bells may not be rung after being used to announce the Gloria at Mass on Maundy Thursday until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, a custom still observed in many places.[12] The Memoriale Rituum also noted the crotalus should replace bells announcing the Angelus following both the Mass and the Stripping of the Altar.[13] Ritual books do not specify the crotalus' use in other instances where bells would have been rung, but rattling it each time in place of bells is the accepted practice for the Paschal Triduum liturgies.[3][14] Among these are the elevations during the Mass of the Lord's Supper, where the unpleasant noise made by the crotalus reflects the morose character of the Paschal Triduum.[6] The 1595 Union of Brest establishing full communion between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Catholic Ruthenian Uniate Church, mandated the Latin practice of prohibiting bells on Good Friday would not be required of Byzantine Rite Catholics.[15]

Sephardic Jews immigrating to Spanish imperial holdings in the Americas following their 1492 expulsion from Spain would bring ceremonial objects with them, including gragers for Purim, which could pass as the matraca of Catholic usage.[1]

In Rome, the instrument sometimes appears similar to baby rattles.[6] The crotalus is used during the Austrian Holy Week tradition of Ratcheting (German: Ratschen), wherein children will alternate between ratcheting and chanting, with a reward typically following.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Tenorio, Rich (16 August 2016). "When the Spanish Inquisition expanded to the New World". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  2. ^ Winer, Lise (16 January 2009). Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago: On Historical Principles. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. p. 390. ISBN 978-0-7735-7607-0.
  3. ^ a b Schulte, A.J. (1907). "Altar Bell". Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York City: Robert Appleton Company. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2022 – via NewAdvent.
  4. ^ Broderick, Robert C., ed. (1944). "Crotalum". Concise Catholic Dictionary. Catechetical Guild Educational Society. p. 104.
  5. ^ Russ, Jennifer M. (1983). German festivals & customs. London: O. Wolff. p. 47. ISBN 9780854963652.
  6. ^ a b c Sonnen, John Paul (2 April 2018). "The Art of the Paschal Triduum: The Crotalus". Liturgical Arts Journal. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  7. ^ "A Glossary of Churchly Terms". Boston: Church of the Advent. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  8. ^ Beckwith, Tom (9 April 2022). "The Crotalus". Denver: St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  9. ^ A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, CRO´TALUM
  10. ^ Nevins, Albert J., ed. (1965). "Clapper". The Maryknoll Catholic Dictionary. New York City: Dimension Books. pp. 131–132.
  11. ^ Curl, James Stevens (7 March 2023). "A Marian Odyssey". Anglicanism.org. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. ^ Rousselle, Christine (2 April 2023). "Holy Week leads the faithful to Easter Sunday: Here are the special days observed and what they mean". Fox News. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Part IV: Thursday, the Day of the Lord's Supper". Memoriale Rituum. Glasgow: R. & T. Washbourne, Ltd. 1906. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  14. ^ Attwater, Donald (1958). "Clapper". A Catholic Dictionary (3rd ed.). New York City: Macmillan Company. p. 100.
  15. ^ "Full Text of the Union of Brest-Litovsk". Munster, IN: St. Josaphat Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Ratcheting During Holy Week". Austria: UNESCO. 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2022.