Bell Book

Bell, Book, and Candle (Cursing by), the popular name for excommunication from the ceremonies used. The "book" was that from which the sentence was read; the candle was kept burning during the reading and extinguished at its close, as a sign that the sinner's light in the Church was extinguished unless he should repent; the bell was rung to announce what was going on. Similar ceremonies were used in exorcism, with, of course, a different meaning.