In Christian liturgy, the ratchet was once used as an alternative to bells during the three days before Easter. The silence of the bells, a sign of mourning, reminded the faithful of Christ’s Passion and death. The rasping sound of the ratchets further emphasized the anguish and sorrow of these holy days.
This tradition is still observed for the announcement of the Angelus in the small Ardennes village of Rossart. This video is not meant to convey the full meaning and richness of the ratchet tradition; it simply shows how the practice continues today.