Editing Avalon Canonical Hours

 
==Canonical Hours & Bells  ==
The Liturgy of the Hours follows a structured cycle of prayers throughout the day, often accompanied by church bells to mark the time.  

*Matins (Midnight or pre-dawn) – (No bell or soft bell chimes)  
**The long night vigil, originally prayed before dawn.  
**In monastic traditions, bells were not always rung loudly to avoid disturbing those not in prayer.  

*Lauds (Dawn, around 3:00–6:00 AM) – (Loud bell to awaken monks)  
**The morning praise, welcoming the new day.  
**Bells rang loudly to wake monks for prayer.  

*Prime (6:00 AM, First Hour) – (Moderate bell chime)  
**First hour of the day; a preparatory prayer before work.  
**Sometimes marked by a single chime or a brief peal of bells.  

*Terce (9:00 AM, Third Hour) – (Single or triple bell peal)  
**Mid-morning prayer, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  
**Typically, a short chime or three bells rung in succession.  

*Sext (12:00 PM, Sixth Hour, Noon Prayer) – (Angelus Bells or three chimes)  
**Midday prayer, marking the Crucifixion.  
**Traditionally, the Angelus bell was rung three times, pausing in between.  

*None (3:00 PM, Ninth Hour, Afternoon Prayer) – (Moderate bell tolling)  
**The prayer of the afternoon, recalling the hour of Christ’s death.  
**A steady, slower chime in some monasteries.  

*Vespers (Sunset or 6:00 PM, Evening Prayer) – (Major bell peal)  
**The evening prayer, marking the completion of the day's work.  
**Typically a grand peal of bells calling people to prayer.  

*Compline (Night, before retiring, 7:00–9:00 PM) – (Soft, slow chime or tolling bell)  
**The last prayer of the day, an examination of conscience before rest.  
**Some churches rang a final "Great Silence" bell or a deep, solemn toll.  

==Special Bells & Traditions  ==
*Angelus Bells (6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM) – Three chimes, pausing in between, calling the faithful to recite the Angelus prayer.  
*Death Knell (After Compline or for funerals) – A slow, solemn toll to mark the passing of a soul.  
*Sanctus Bell (During Mass) – A small bell rung at the consecration of the Eucharist.