Crotalus (instrument)

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]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference ES was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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. ^ Cite error: The named reference CathEn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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. ^ Cite error: The named reference Art was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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.