Silence Before Mass

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paramedicgirl

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Our church has a very noisy, social atmosphere right up to the entrance procession. People chat, laugh and socialize like they were at a party. There is no reverence.

A few years ago our priest tried to correct this, but he had very little support from the party-goers. I recently asked a holy member of our parish council to try another attempt at sacred silence before Mass. The result was a very small notice on an already crammed bulletin board that requests 10 minutes of silence before Mass. (He did his best, he just had no support)

In discussion with a former nun, now married to a former priest, about the need for silence before Mass, she said she believes that conversation prior to Mass is not offensive to God, and He actually approves of people fulfilling their social needs. She mentioned the lonely widow and the elderly needing the conversation of others.

What about those of us who are talking to God and really need that time to communicate spiritually to Him? The not so dull roar in the church makes it nearly impossible to pray.

What happened to Sacred Silence?
 
Unfortunately, many people do not understand the value of silence both before and after mass.

It helps a lot if the priest emphasis the need and that it is courtesy to those who want to pray in preparation and thanksgiving.
 
Do what our church does: a coffee & cake meeting in the parish-hall after Mass! It’s very popular and everybody gets to talk as much as they want 👍

Anna x
 
I got to listen to a man talk about his investments for TWENTY MINUTES before Mass this morning. He was directly behind me, but his voice had to be carrying at least 2-3 rows.

Our church varies from week to week on loudness before Mass, but it’s NEVER quiet after Mass. People begin socializing while in their pews instead of waiting to get into the parish hall. The earlier Masses are quieter than the later ones. I’ve come to appreciate dailiy Mass more and more…dead silence before Mass and after, very prayerful atmosphere. I even like not having any music. It’s very peaceful.

On ‘special’ days like Holy Communion and Confirmation it borders on a circus atmosphere before Mass with the talking, laughing, yelling across the Church to get someone’s attention, sitting on the arms and backs of the pews, cell phones out . It’s horrid.
 
WELCOME
JESUS - Our MASTER is present in the TABERNACLE.
HE welcomes you into His Holy Presence.
With the ANGELS and the ARCHANGLES
let us ADORE Him.
Walk quietly - Speak softly - Listen to Him
Remember what peace there may be in
SILENCE

Why not make up a large sign and ask your PP to place it in a prominent place. You could also suggest that the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet be prayed before Mass.
 
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paramedicgirl:
In discussion with a former nun, now married to a former priest, about the need for silence before Mass, she said she believes that conversation prior to Mass is not offensive to God, and He actually approves of people fulfilling their social needs. She mentioned the lonely widow and the elderly needing the conversation of others.
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Sorry but that sounds like a load of bunk to me. There’s plenty of time after Mass in the “gathering” area for socialaizing, for young and old alike. Most parishes have coffee & doughnuts afterward, people should use that time to chat. Before Mass we are in the presence of God and should be in silent prayer & Thanksgiving, respectful of those around us. I really cannot stand to attend a Church where everyone is talking out loud before Mass, it’s very distracting and rude. My Parish is so quiet you could hear a pin drop before Mass (except for the cry of a baby). Besides, we have an elderly Lady that will give a great big SSSHHH!!! and a stern look if she hears any talking!!!😉 Maybe your Priest should write a few paragraphs in the Bulletin about WHY we need to be quiet before Mass or better yet, talk about it from the pulpit, not just suggest, but tell Why it is necessary.
 
Eileen T said:
WELCOME
JESUS - Our MASTER is present in the TABERNACLE.
HE welcomes you into His Holy Presence.
With the ANGELS and the ARCHANGLES
let us ADORE Him.
Walk quietly - Speak softly - Listen to Him
Remember what peace there may be in
SILENCE

Why not make up a large sign and ask your PP to place it in a prominent place. You could also suggest that the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet be prayed before Mass.
Click to expand...

We used to have a sign posted in the entrance. That was when the priest made his attempt 2 years ago to silence the party atmosphere. It has since come down because most people disregarded it.

I really like the sign you posted here. I think I will give it to the priest and see what he says.
 
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Lucania:
Besides, we have an elderly Lady that will give a great big SSSHHH!!! and a stern look if she hears any talking!!!😉
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God Love her!!!
 
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Elzee:
I got to listen to a man talk about his investments for TWENTY MINUTES before Mass this morning. He was directly behind me, but his voice had to be carrying at least 2-3 rows.

Our church varies from week to week on loudness before Mass, but it’s NEVER quiet after Mass. People begin socializing while in their pews instead of waiting to get into the parish hall. The earlier Masses are quieter than the later ones. I’ve come to appreciate dailiy Mass more and more…dead silence before Mass and after, very prayerful atmosphere. I even like not having any music. It’s very peaceful.

On ‘special’ days like Holy Communion and Confirmation it borders on a circus atmosphere before Mass with the talking, laughing, yelling across the Church to get someone’s attention, sitting on the arms and backs of the pews, cell phones out . It’s horrid.
Click to expand...
And was everyone listening??

Our pastor goes and kneels before the tabernacle for about 5+ minutes before Mass… the noise level has gone from rock-concert when he came, to an almost bearable volume in the last 7 months.
 
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paramedicgirl:
{God} actually approves of people fulfilling their social needs. She mentioned the lonely widow and the elderly needing the conversation of others.
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God does approve of people fulfilling their social needs. He especially approves of the lonely widows and the elderly fulfilling their social needs through attendance at Daily Mass. That’s why He inspires them to all go out for breakfast together AFTER Mass has finished.

I have a grandmother who has been the “lonely” widow in this nun’s example for 20 years. She goes to Mass every day, and then breakfast with her other Mass going friends. Some are also lonely widows, some are lonely widowers, and some are elderly couples enjoying life together. They all attend Mass every day and follow it with breakfast after to socialize. If you don’t observe silence before Mass, they’re the ones who turn and shush you too.
 
Our parish says the Rosary starting a half hour before Mass. There is no talking as people trickle in while the Rosary is being said. Then, when the Rosary is finished, the organist quietly plays music (no singing), until just a couple of minutes before the processional.

So, the atmosphere is very prayerful in our parish. No one talks, unless it’s a quick whispered message to the person next to them.
 
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MrS:
And was everyone listening??
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They didn’t have much choice. I can usually block out just about anything I don’t want to hear, but not this time.
 
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MrS:
And was everyone listening??

Our pastor goes and kneels before the tabernacle for about 5+ minutes before Mass… the noise level has gone from rock-concert when he came, to an almost bearable volume in the last 7 months.
Click to expand...
Our tabernacle is in a side chapel, no surprise there. People think they can have a ho-down in the church because there is silence observed in the chapel before Mass. It’s very frustrating. and, still, you need earplugs to drown them out, even with the chapel doors closed.
 
The Mass should bring us into contact with God. I know the Novus Ordo loves to focus on man, but I am old fashioned.
 
We used to have a huge problem with noise before and after Mass. About a year ago our priest asked someone to lead the Rosary, starting about 25 minutes before Mass. When it finishes, somone stands up and gives the hymn numbers, the verse numbers for the readings and Gospel for those using their own Bibles. This solved the probem before Mass but we still have the after Mass noise. At least it is getting better.

Gearoidin
 
My in-laws parish in London used to have a ‘noise-polution’ problem, and I noticed last time I was there they have started to pray the rosary before Mass, Fr Pat said it had done what lots of sermons on the subject and a weekly announcement in the church-bulletin in BOLD print from him had not managed to do! So, yes, I would suggest that to your priest…besides, for a lot of churchgoers that might be the only time each week they pray the rosary!

Anna x
 
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Fast_ed75:
The Mass should bring us into contact with God. I know the Novus Ordo loves to focus on man, but I am old fashioned.
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WHAT A LOADED STATEMENT !!

and

I tend to agree when an “innovative” or “un-trained” priest is involved.

😉
 
Originally Posted by paramedicgirl
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In discussion with a former nun, now married to a former priest, about the need for silence before Mass, she said she believes that conversation prior to Mass is not offensive to God, and He actually approves of people fulfilling their social needs. She mentioned the lonely widow and the elderly needing the conversation of others.
Click to expand...
First of all, why are you cavorting with an Ex-priest and an Ex-nun that are married. Obviously Satan stole them away from Christ’s holy Orders! :eek:
 
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