Do we have enough (any?) quiet in our Mass?

[The_Reginator]

Having just read this in another thread (forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=384940)
got me to thinking:

basenji Re: Fasting After Mass?
Sadly enough, Coffee Hour is practically considered to be the Eighth Sacrament at my parish and there is no such thing as quiet prayer time after Mass.

Our old parish priest always had everyone sit down and have a minute or so of silent contemplation after everyone had received and before he finished the Mass. Now it seems that we have no peaceful moments – we HAVE to have music at all times – no time for quiet.

What have other people experienced?

 

[CatholicZ09]

In my church, after each Mass it’s hard to get silent prayer time in afterwards. During the Recessional Hymn, people will start trying to talk over the organ and it’s really distracting. Then, after Mass is all over people talk and socialize. I remember going to my cousin’s church for her First Communion, and people were gabbing very loudly before Mass. It was so disrespectful. It’s like people don’t know where they are.

 

[Beachcomber]

You have a point.

It seems to me that there was always a time after communion, while the priest did his thing of putting away the vessels, ect, that people were quiet and prayerful, a time for reflection of the reception of the Eucharist. This was really rather nice and I thought special.

Well, after I returned to the Church after a long absence, I was somewhat surprised to notice that whenever it seems that there is a ‘vacumn’ of silence, it had to be filled with music or some other noise. That doesn’t mean that music can’t be an aide to prayerful reflection in certain circumstances, but quiet time has its place, too, I believe.

 

[ljubim]

A lot of foreigners say that Americans seem to feel awkward with silence, so they’ll do anything to fill it, even if it’s mindless jabber.

I agree, the “modern choir” at my church has gotta go. The lead choir directors (more like a hippie band ) made a video recently about the parish, and the scene they staged of people sitting before mass was really strange, they had protestant-y country-church music blaring and every single person’s mouth was blabbing, and everybody was fidgeting like they had each just drank an entire pot of coffee. Not much, but this really does show their view of the mass

I actually talked to my priest after mass one day because I was so upset at the loud applause & cheering that went on after the band (like I said, they don’t deserve to be called a choir) after communion! I told him that Pope Benedict would die on the spot if he heard such a ruckus at a mass. And the priest told me that “he’ll just have to die then, because I like it”

Anyway in less than a year I’m off to college where a lovely Latin Mass awaits me. Can’t wait to meet some really devout catholics for a change

 

[Cluny]

Remember that the Recessional Hymn is NOT part of the Mass, which ends with the final “Thanks be to God” after the Deacon’s dismissal.

The Mass is also primarily a vocal prayer.

 

[baltobetsy]

You have to learn to make your own personal quiet space amidst the noise. Kneel down, fold your hands, close your eyes and don’t let yourself be annoyed by the talking. In a minute or two, the people will clear out of the church and you’ll have real quiet for as long as you want, until people start coming in for the next Mass.

Betsy

 

[KarenElissa]

Our priests do a good job of allowing a few quiet moments in Mass. There is usually a pause after the homily for reflection. Also after Communion there is also usually a pause. The length depends on the priest, but all of them have at least a short one.

 

[Cat]

It’s awkward for those of us who play (piano, in my case). I’m not always sure what to do, because either way, I’ll offend someone.

As far as I know, a Prelude and Postlude are both allowed, except during Lent and Advent.

I feel strongly that I need to do a good job when I play, and that means including a Prelude and a Postlude. To me, since it is allowed, it is important to play these to provide the congregation with a “complete” experience at church. I especially feel obligated to provide these pieces if I am being paid.

My Preludes and Postludes never last more than a few minutes, usually around 2 minutes, except on special holidays like Christmas and Easter, when I go all out to play something really good.

So anyone who wants to pray quietly before Mass should have time if they arrive even five minutes early, because I play my Preludes until the lector is ready to begin. And anyone who wants to pray after Mass will have time after I’m finished, and it will only take me a few minutes to finish.

Last night I played a very short prelude, an arrangement of two simple gospel hymns. There is no contradiction of Catholic theology in the hymns.

Afterwards, an older gentleman approached me and said that he had come early to pray, and when I started playing, he thought it was so beautiful and full of feeling that he was moved to tears.

I was very touched by this, and awed that God had led me to play these particular hymns.

I’m guessing, though, that somewhere in that large congregation, there were others who probably thought that the prelude was too “Protestant,” or who thought that the Prelude was too old-fashioned and dull, or who thought that I shouldn’t be playing at all.

It’s really, really difficult for musicians to please everyone. I feel that if I stick with the liturgical requirements, at least I can’t be blamed.

One thing that I refuse to do is “noodle” during those “silent” times in the Mass. I try to play the Communion Hymn until all the congregation has received, and then I end it. So there’s silence while the priest is taking care of the Body and Blood of the Lord. I like this.

As far as I know, there is nothing forbidding the pianist or organist from continuing to play during this time. But I give the people silence.

Or when the Offertory Hymn is finished, if the priest is still busy at the altar preparing the Holy Communion, I don’t keep playing. I stop, and the congregation watches in silence.

Again, I don’t think that it is forbidden to play during this preparatory time. After all, we sing an Offertory (or Preparation) hymn, and if we do too many verses, the priest steps back and waits.

But I give silence.

I do know that there is not supposed to be music during the actual Consecration.

I think that during the times when silence is built into the Mass, the musician(s) should not intrude.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Well, in my church, after the First Reading, before going into the Responsorial Psalm, there is about a 10 second pause when the reader sits down and before the Cantor is ready to sing. This goes for the Second Reading also, there is a 10 seconds pause until the reader sits down and the Cantor is ready to sing the Gospel Acclamation. Then, before the recitation of the Creed, there is a pause. There is also a pause after communion before the priest is ready to say the announcements and then closing prayer.

 

[The_Reginator]

It’s awkward for those of us who play (piano, in my case). I’m not always sure what to do, because either way, I’ll offend someone.

As far as I know, a Prelude and Postlude are both allowed, except during Lent and Advent.

I feel strongly that I need to do a good job when I play, and that means including a Prelude and a Postlude.

So anyone who wants to pray quietly before Mass should have time if they arrive even five minutes early, because I play my Preludes until the lector is ready to begin. And anyone who wants to pray after Mass will have time after I’m finished, and it will only take me a few minutes to finish.

Last night I played a very short prelude, an arrangement of two simple gospel hymns. There is no contradiction of Catholic theology in the hymns.

Afterwards, an older gentleman approached me and said that he had come early to pray, and when I started playing, he thought it was so beautiful and full of feeling that he was moved to tears.

I was very touched by this, and awed that God had led me to play these particular hymns.

…

I think that during the times when silence is built into the Mass, the musician(s) should not intrude.

Personally, I do not find that instrumental music is a distraction to prayer and meditation. As another poster noted music can also be helpful. Especially Gregorian chant (as I have a poor grasp of Latin). I find that words are hard to ‘tune out’. (Pun not intended.)

 

[Cat]

Personally, I do not find that instrumental music is a distraction to prayer and meditation. As another poster noted music can also be helpful. Especially Gregorian chant (as I have a poor grasp of Latin). I find that words are hard to ‘tune out’. (Pun not intended.)

That’s good to hear. I feel the same way, but I realize that others are extremely sensitive to any noise, even reflective music.

BTW, as a rule, I play reflective, peaceful Preludes, and joyous, victorious Postludes. I figure that before Mass, people appreciate a quiet bridge from their world into the “heaven on earth” that Mass is. And after Mass, they appreciate a lively encouraging song to get them out the door and back into their world to serve Christ.

 

[The_Reginator]

I just came across a related article. Here it is in part:

zenit.org/article-9180?l=english
Sounds of Silence

ROME, JAN. 20, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum.

Q: What is the role of silence in a Mass? When should there be silence? – J.C., Perth, Australia

A: Silence has a very important role to play in the celebration as indicated by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 45.

“Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times,” the GIRM says. “Its purpose, however, depends on the time it occurs in each part of the celebration. Thus within the Act of Penitence and again after the invitation to pray, all recollect themselves; but at the conclusion of a reading or the homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise and pray to God in their hearts. Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence [to] be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.”

To this we would add that silence should also be observed after Mass until one is outside the Church building, both for respect toward the Blessed Sacrament, and toward those members of the faithful who wish to prolong their thanksgiving after Mass.

 

[TheDoctor]

While visiting my mom in Brookyn we went to Mass at her parish. The new pastor has “angered” several of the old timers by (1) Having the lector welcome everyone 5-6 minutes before the Mass and request that they maintain respectful silence from then until the Mass begins and (2) inserting 1-2 minutes of silent reflection time after communion and before the final blessing. I have been to that parish before and while the Masses were always done well, these new changes add a wonderful sense of holiness.

My point: It can be done, all Father has to do is to do it. Not everyone will like it, but if done consistently they will come to accept it.

BTW, whenever I get grumpy at some song or talking or kid running along the pew while I am trying to pray, it helps me to think of a photo I saw of Pope John Paul II sitting in the Priests chair, head down, eyes closed, deeply praying during Mass at a stadium with 60,000+ people. If he can tune out 60,000 people and talk to Jesus, maybe I can too.

 

[EasterJoy]

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2002, currently posted by the USCCB:
usccb.org/liturgy/current/GIRM.pdf
“Silence
45. Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times.54 Its purpose, however, depends on the time it occurs in each part of the celebration. Thus within the Act of Penitence and again after the invitation to pray, all recollect themselves; but at the conclusion of a reading or the homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise and pray to God in their hearts.
Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.”

But also:
“88. When the distribution of Communion is finished, as circumstances suggest, the priest and faithful spend some time praying privately. If desired, a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may also be sung by the entire congregation.”

Having said that…if some of the faithful ask their priest to ask others to leave church quietly after Mass and to save visiting until they have left the main sanctuary, he might well be amenable to that. He might also be willing to have the cantor or music leader make a general announcement a few minutes after the last hymn is finished, asking that Father has asked for quiet be observed for those still praying after Mass, when that is necessary.

I know, sometimes the musicians are the worst offenders, but sometimes having the worst offender be the reminder of others is a very gentle way to ask them to be a good example to others. Again, they would probably be amenable, if reminded that their behavior matters to somebody.

 

[acadian]

We do. Our pastor does a wonderful job with this. Our church is silent before Mass starts, save for a short period of organ music sometimes. The silence is wonderful - gives you time to think or to pray.

We have more than a split second during the penitential rite to actually call to mind some sins. One of my pet peeves is when the celebrant says “Let us call to mind our sins.” and then in the very next breath (or maybe the same breath) launches into the “Lord have mercy…”. OK…so he didn’t have many sins to call to mind, but I have a few…

After the homily, Father usually sits down for a minute and there is a short time there to reflect.

During the offeratory, there is usually a hymn, but often there is silence following the hymn.

During Communion, there is often music, but sometimes it is instrumental or a chant, and does not require a lot of participation. So it is possible to pray when one returns to one’s place after receving. Also, when all have received, and Father sits down, there is a minute or so of silence. I think that a lot of people were just looking at this as an “intermission” before the dismissal, and recently for several weeks, Father would invite all of us to use this time to give thanks to the Lord for the unspeakable gift we had just received. Sometimes he would pray aloud from his heart (kind of modeling what we might do).

Now after Mass is over, all bets are off. There is socializing and talking on the way out of the church and into the parking lot.