In the California mission system of the 18th and 19th centuries, bells served as the primary communication tool, functioning as the "voice" of the mission to organize every aspect of daily life. Because the residents—both the Spanish friars and the converted Native Americans—did not have personal clocks, the bells set a rigid rhythm for the community. The day began with the "Angelus" at sunrise, calling everyone to morning prayer. Throughout the day, specific bell patterns signaled the start and end of work in the fields or workshops, meal times (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and times for rest. The bells were also used for ceremonial and social purposes: joyful, rapid ringing celebrated weddings or the arrival of honored guests (with specific codes for different types of visitors), while slow, somber tolling announced a death or a funeral. In times of emergency, such as a fire or a pending attack, the bells rang a frantic warning to gather the community for protection. Being a bell ringer was considered a highly skilled and prestigious role, as the ringer had to memorize dozens of unique rhythms and tones to ensure that the correct message was broadcast across the valley, often reaching distances of several miles.