Being silent during mass

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Rejoice_Always said:
Can silence at Mass be considered full, active, and conscious participation? I think so, for I don’t think the decibel level of such participation is clearly stated (if you know what I mean).
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Internal, silent prayer is most certainly active participation. Let me rephrase that… just because you are silent does not mean you’re not actively participating. Obviously, you can be silent and daydreaming as well, but we should not chritcise those who wish to unite themselves to the sacrifice in their silent prayer.
 
Rejoice_Always said:
I thought we were talking about parishoners, not choir members?

I’ve heard plenty of priests who couldn’t carry a tune …

ah, Father, during the Agnus Dei, would you please just, well, you know, not sing. If you can’t do it well, don’t. You understand, Father?
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Well actually… the priest probably shouldn’t sing anyways during the agnus dei, because he is supposed to be praying other prayers quietly at that time.

But I know that wasn’t your point. :D:D
 
superamazingman said:
Internal, silent prayer is most certainly active participation. Let me rephrase that… just because you are silent does not mean you’re not actively participating. Obviously, you can be silent and daydreaming as well, but we should not chritcise those who wish to unite themselves to the sacrifice in their silent prayer.
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liturgyluver has quoted the GIRM, which is liturgical law. The faithful are obligated to make responses and sing when physically able, just as the priest is obligated to say the prayers of the Mass out loud in a voice for all to hear. Could you have a valid Mass if the priest did not make use of his voice to say the prayers out loud? No. Could you have a valid Mass if all the assembly refused to make responses or sing out loud? Yes, but it would be illicit.

Please read my signature for more information. It is an excerpt from the Post-Synodal Exhortation On the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church’s Life and Mission: Sacramentum Caritatis, dated March 13, 2007. Author: Pope Benedict XVI. No-one can claim that it is not current or authoritative.
 
7_Sorrows said:
our priests AND deacons are constantly scanning the congregation to see who is participating in the prayers and singing. so it would be awkward if at every Mass each time they gave you a glance you were just standing there or kneeling and not participating.
i guess you could say that you are there in spirit and sharing in the communal experience, although silent.
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Sounds like you need to find an Ad Orientam Mass! 😃
 
IrishRush said:
If I do sing, it’s VERY quietly so as not to upset those around me. 😃
I have a ROTTEN singing voice.
But I do pray aloud.
I think the important thing is that you’re praying.
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Pfft, please for my sake sing aloud. I don’t care if you’re tone deaf. I have a beautiful Tenor, but I get completely embarrassed when the only voice I hear in the Church is my own, cause the congregation wants to sing the dog-whistle hymn. I feel it makes me stand out and I don’t like that. :o
 
Elizium23 said:
liturgyluver has quoted the GIRM, which is liturgical law. The faithful are obligated to make responses and sing when physically able, just as the priest is obligated to say the prayers of the Mass out loud in a voice for all to hear. Could you have a valid Mass if the priest did not make use of his voice to say the prayers out loud? No. Could you have a valid Mass if all the assembly refused to make responses or sing out loud? Yes, but it would be illicit.
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There is more to the liturgy than what is in the GIRM. It should not be read in a vacuum.
Elizium23 said:
Please read my signature for more information. It is an excerpt from the Post-Synodal Exhortation On the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church’s Life and Mission: Sacramentum Caritatis, dated March 13, 2007. Author: Pope Benedict XVI. No-one can claim that it is not current or authoritative.
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No one is advocating the OP stand as a “silent spectator.” Spectator is the key word here. He is praying silently and uniting himself with the Mass. You most certanly don’t need to raise your voice to do so. Some people like to, and I have no problem with that, but some people are more silent and meditative, which is perfectly ok during Mass as well.
 
Mass is not a spectator sport - we are not at a Nascar race, a baseball game; nor are we at a Broadway play. We are a part of the Liturgy, an active and integral part of the Mass. We are nto watching actors on a stage; we are on the stage and we all have our part to play. We are before the throne of God as the People of God, and we are gathered there to offer praise to God, admit we have sinned and ask for His mercy, listen to His Word, then pay attention and speak or sing our parts during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Liturgy means public worship by the community; we are in public, publicly worshiping our God and thus we are supposed to do our part and publicly speak out or sing out.

We can pray in silence at home, alone. When two or more pray together it is best to pray out loud in communion.

God bless you.
 
The_Curt_Jester said:
A Mass in which the priest is not facing the people. For me, I prefer the TLM, though you can find an occasional NO that is Ad Orientam.
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thanks. that makes sense. in the TLM, there is not much participations from the parishoners anyway is there? and the priest has his back to you throughout much of the Mass.
 
7_Sorrows said:
thanks. that makes sense. in the TLM, there is not much participations from the parishoners anyway is there? and the priest has his back to you throughout much of the Mass.
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Active participation doesn’t mean having to say responses out loud, so I would not say that the people are not participating. However, if you’re talking just about vocal responses, then you would be correct. There are some dialogue TLMs (people respond), but I don’t attend those. In regard to the priest “having his back to you”, one priest I know explains it as not turning to his back to the people, but rather leading them in worship.
 
I cann’t sing to save my life so I just say the Gloria, Response Psalm, & Hosannah to myself. Everything else (opening, closing, etc.) I sit (or stand) and enjoy those who were blessed with a great singing voice.
 
garn9173 said:
I cann’t sing to save my life so I just say the Gloria, Response Psalm, & Hosannah to myself. Everything else (opening, closing, etc.) I sit (or stand) and enjoy those who were blessed with a great singing voice.
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You yourself would have a great singing voice if you practiced every Sunday. I have been in choir for 12 years with no professional training, but the director picked me out of a crowd and recruited me because I had received crucial experience in public singing in my Catholic school upbringing. I strongly encourage anyone who can’t sing now to exercise their voice, yes quietly at first, but as you grow in confidence you will be able to project your voice and sing boldly with the choir. The only difference between you and me is experience!
 
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