Ratschen#

Ratschen: rattles,springy small boards or small wooden hammers hitting on a rotating wooden roller which is ribbed or serrated; there are various forms, portable, mobile and fixed (Fahnenratschen, Kurbelratschen, Schubkarren-Ratschen etc.). From Maundy Thursday to Holy Saturday "Ratschen-Buam" ("rattle boys", usually altar boys) call for prayer at hours which were common prayer time in former days. They use rattles since all bells are kept silent during this period (based on an ancient belief that "all bells fly to Rome"). In the western part of Austria, Ratschen are used within the church while in the rest of the country they are only used on the streets.

Literature#