Periods of Silence within the Eucharistic Celebration

[M-Dent]

Periods of Silence within the Eucharistic Celebration

OFFICE FOR THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF

Number 45 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third and Emended Typical Edition, 2008) prescribes:

Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times. 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 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.

vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/details/ns_lit_doc_20091117_silenzio_en.html

I’m curious, Do you have a moment of silence after Holy Communion? Or do you typically have a Hymn or instrumental music after Holy Communion with no period of silence?

 

[Oneofthewomen]

My parish is attempting to add more sacred silence, after the homily and after reception of communion, but before the prayer. There has been some resistence from some parts of the parish because “we always sang a song after communion”, but for the most part, it has been a welcome addition.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

We have silence in a few places, including after the homily and after communion.

 

[LittleFlower378]

I’m curious, Do you have a moment of silence after Holy Communion? Or do you typically have a Hymn or instrumental music after Holy Communion with no period of silence?

I know of a priest that gives a good long silence more so after Communion but after the homily too. It’s very refreshing. It gives you time to realize the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is essential. The minutes after Communion Is the most important time of the week/day.

 

[Richard_White]

I think that during Communion, the choir should play some instrumental music on the organ or a choral meditation that’s not too distracting. In this way, we can focus more on the awesome gift that God has just given us.

May God bless you all!

 

[amsjj]

We’ve had a short silence both after the homily and after the communion music ends. I like the quiet opportunity of thinking about what Father just said and of thinking about the Lord’s presence in that special time.

 

[Arizona_Fat_Gir]

No, they have non-stop singing and noise. Then at the part where everyone shakes hands, you have people waving to each other up and down the aisle, etc. Then the real fun begins at the end of Mass. They all move on, talking and laughing. Instead of walking at a good clip, they shuffle down the aisle, blocking the way and more than likely forming little groups all along the exits. The guy that does the music carries on until at least the whole hymn is in and then he will start again from the beginning.

I honestly don’t care what they do, but what worries me is it is hard not to be distracted.

 

[CB_Catholic]

We have a period of silence after the Communion hymn. This is when Communion is distributed to those who cannot come to the altar for it (we have an area for the disabled, but no one likes to use it) and the Blessed Sacrament is reposed. It is usually a few minutes long.

 

[Brendan]

I think that during Communion, the choir should play some instrumental music on the organ or a choral meditation that’s not too distracting. In this way, we can focus more on the awesome gift that God has just given us.

May God bless you all!

The advantage to having a period of silence is that it allows all participants to have a time of reflection, including the choir.