Where did the church bells go?

On Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter) the church bells in each village are silent. They are said to have flown away to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. Three times a day (when tge bells would normally ring) the village children walk around with wooden noise makers to let the people know what time it is. Sometimes they will come by your door as well. Traditionally, we should thank them with eggs, candy or even Euro. The children will do this until Easter morning when the bells return.

As the bells fly back to their respectable churches they scatter chocolate eggs (or other chocolates) in the yards for children to find on Easter morning.

This year we are going along with German and Traditional Catholic traditions. I want the kids to learn about other traditions and customs, so I figured this would be the best way. The Easter hare will bring the kids a simple basket with German items children would normally receive around here as well as a few other items. The Easter hate will not be hiding eggs this year, that's the American Easter Bunny's job and I don't think he will be making a trip here. The church bells will drop plain white boiled eggs on its way back to the church. Easter morning the kids will find them and we will color them that day. I think the kids are excited for the Easter Hare :)


Please excuse the poor quality iPhone picture, but here are the children walking past with the wooden noise makers.