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reidtgang
Guest
Are there actual rules regulating silence before mass or just during.
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PhilipCal
Guest
No actual “rule” that I know of. I think the thing we need to remember is, that we’re in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
J
JohnnyK
Guest
Someone needs to remind some of the folks in my parish, 4pm Sat mass especially. social time before & after mass. I had a hard time concentrating on my rosary yesterday prior to mass. i usually go to a different mass, folks are much more reverent at it (same parish)
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paramedicgirl
Guest
Silence is mentioned in the GIRM five times. And from Zenit, here is something good on silence:
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.” (More…)
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.” (More…)
B
Biblioassistant
Guest
I long for silence before Mass, but alas I don’t get it. Many of the congregation chat and visit and carry on. I’ve tried giving them a glare, but they are oblivious.
I usually stay in the adoration chapel as long as I can, then go to the church. That way I get my silence.
I usually stay in the adoration chapel as long as I can, then go to the church. That way I get my silence.
B
Brooklyn
Guest
Prior to Mass today, there were a couple of ladies and a child talking about what they are going to eat, and how one store prepares better cold cuts than another store, blah, blah, blah, and all in a very loud manner. It seemed most people had no problem with visiting with each other and talking about the most mundane things. I have to say it really got on my nerves, too. I wanted so much to say, “Don’t you know you are in the presence of our Saviour?”
Mary
Mary
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paramedicgirl
Guest
Someone told me that their solution to this is to meditate on Jesus carrying His cross to Calvary with the centurions and the persecutors jeering and shouting at Him, making all kinds of noise, and how Jesus was able to keep his mind focused on His Heavenly Father, and how he was able to fulfill His will, even with all the distractions and insults.
Ever since I heard that, it has been easier to block out the dull roar that is predominant in our Churches today.
B
Brooklyn
Guest
That is an excellent idea. Thanks so much!
T
tigster
Guest
I think out of respect your not to talk in mass. As far as i knew we are to go in a pray first. Let me say that after mass at my church they sell mexican hot food, thats strange .
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reidtgang
Guest
But this does not state that it has to be silet before mass.
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paramedicgirl
Guest
There is a recommendation for silence before Mass in Father McNamara’s article. Maybe you missed it. His text is taken from the GIRM.
But no, it’s not prescribed in Canon Law, as far as I know. Unfortunately.
C
Cat
Guest
Find interior quiet.
There is nothing evil about people loving each other. Friendly chat is a way to get to know each other, and this leads to friendship and love, which leades to the world knowing that we are Christians, which leads to knowledge of Jesus and His Church.
I agree that the chatter would be best carried out in the parking lot for the sake of those who long for peace and quiet in this noisy world. But we are humans, not angels, and we forget. We should be slow to criticize and quick to forgive each other’s faults.
There is nothing evil about people loving each other. Friendly chat is a way to get to know each other, and this leads to friendship and love, which leades to the world knowing that we are Christians, which leads to knowledge of Jesus and His Church.
I agree that the chatter would be best carried out in the parking lot for the sake of those who long for peace and quiet in this noisy world. But we are humans, not angels, and we forget. We should be slow to criticize and quick to forgive each other’s faults.
P
paramedicgirl
Guest
K
KatieD
Guest
I would love it if some of our parishioners would just talk softly! Today I forgot about a certain group and unfortunately sat right behind them. The big talker, who also by the way has taught in a Catholic school for years and is also a lector and thus knows better, talked non-stop about everything from getting her nails done to what she was having for breakfast until our choir director asked us to take a moment of silence to prepare to celebrate the Eucharist. Our pastor has asked for some meditative music to be played before Mass. While beautiful, quiet music is played, the loud talking continues. I guess we’ll just have to keep praying.
C
Cat
Guest
paramedic girl, I do NOT believe it is irreverent or disrespectful to the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to talk to our brothers and sisters before or after Mass.
Please read my entire post.
We are human beings, and we connect with each other by talking, often about seemingly insignificant topics. This is the “human” way of communicating; cats touch noses, dogs sniff butts, whales “sing”, and we chat.
The Lord Jesus was a human being. According to the Bible, He was in all respects like we are, yet without sin. It also says in the Bible that our High Priest, Jesus, sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Jesus understands what it is to be human and doesn’t condemn us for it.
Chatting and talking with each other is a way of reaching out and showing love to our fellow man. Immediately before the Last Supper, Jesus demonstrated love by taking on the role of a servant and washing the disciples’ feet. This was definitely NOT on the list of Passover rules, but Jesus often broke rules in order to demonstrate love.
The Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the “law” because He touched lepers and healed people on the Sabbath. Again, Jesus was more concerned about loving people than He was about the laws.
There are many people who come to Mass lonely. Even people who have families are often lonely and isolated. When someone touches them on the shoulder, gives them a hug, asks them about their family or their hobby or their favorite sports team, and perhaps invites them over for dinner, this is a marvelous way to show respect for Jesus–by reaching out to His children.
There are also “visitors” who come to Mass out of curiousity. It is a kindness to welcome these people with a handshake and a “hi.”
I agree that it is not polite to launch into a detailed discussion of anything right before Mass. Many people come to Mass seeking a respite from their harried, noisy world, and I think we should respect their desire for peace and quiet.
But to simply greet people in the Lord either before or after the Mass–this IS respectful to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Right after He established the Eucharist, Jesus gave us a new commandment–Love one another.
And why do you think we must “ignore” Jesus in order to be kind to our fellow parishioners and guests by greeting them and chatting for a minute? On the contrary, it is because of Jesus that we give a hoot about any of these people sitting around us. The Holy Spirit fills us with the Fruit of the Spirit, which includes love for others.
As far as I know, Canon Law does not demand silence before Mass. No one is breaking any “rules” to greet others and chat quietly before Mass.
With humility, I would question those who are willing to sacrifice love in their quest for “silence” before Mass. Someone above said that they “glare” at those who make noise before Mass. Where is the love in that approach? “Glaring” is hurtful and demeaning. Wouldn’t it be better to seek interior quiet in the midst of the chatter, and pray for your fellow parishioners rather than condemning them? Silence is a great privilege, but it is not our “right.”
Please read my entire post.
We are human beings, and we connect with each other by talking, often about seemingly insignificant topics. This is the “human” way of communicating; cats touch noses, dogs sniff butts, whales “sing”, and we chat.
The Lord Jesus was a human being. According to the Bible, He was in all respects like we are, yet without sin. It also says in the Bible that our High Priest, Jesus, sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Jesus understands what it is to be human and doesn’t condemn us for it.
Chatting and talking with each other is a way of reaching out and showing love to our fellow man. Immediately before the Last Supper, Jesus demonstrated love by taking on the role of a servant and washing the disciples’ feet. This was definitely NOT on the list of Passover rules, but Jesus often broke rules in order to demonstrate love.
The Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the “law” because He touched lepers and healed people on the Sabbath. Again, Jesus was more concerned about loving people than He was about the laws.
There are many people who come to Mass lonely. Even people who have families are often lonely and isolated. When someone touches them on the shoulder, gives them a hug, asks them about their family or their hobby or their favorite sports team, and perhaps invites them over for dinner, this is a marvelous way to show respect for Jesus–by reaching out to His children.
There are also “visitors” who come to Mass out of curiousity. It is a kindness to welcome these people with a handshake and a “hi.”
I agree that it is not polite to launch into a detailed discussion of anything right before Mass. Many people come to Mass seeking a respite from their harried, noisy world, and I think we should respect their desire for peace and quiet.
But to simply greet people in the Lord either before or after the Mass–this IS respectful to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Right after He established the Eucharist, Jesus gave us a new commandment–Love one another.
And why do you think we must “ignore” Jesus in order to be kind to our fellow parishioners and guests by greeting them and chatting for a minute? On the contrary, it is because of Jesus that we give a hoot about any of these people sitting around us. The Holy Spirit fills us with the Fruit of the Spirit, which includes love for others.
As far as I know, Canon Law does not demand silence before Mass. No one is breaking any “rules” to greet others and chat quietly before Mass.
With humility, I would question those who are willing to sacrifice love in their quest for “silence” before Mass. Someone above said that they “glare” at those who make noise before Mass. Where is the love in that approach? “Glaring” is hurtful and demeaning. Wouldn’t it be better to seek interior quiet in the midst of the chatter, and pray for your fellow parishioners rather than condemning them? Silence is a great privilege, but it is not our “right.”
C
Conciliar
Guest
Cat,
Your notions about Mass, I gather, are influenced by some of the unfortunate ways in which the liturgy has been manipulated in the name of reform so as to lose its central meaning. We have, in too many places, become a community turned inward, glaring upon ourselves. Our “worship spaces” are theaters in-the-round. We no longer look beyond ourselves to He who is to come; the King of kings, Lord and Judge of all.
Lots of words in your post, but I think this one sentence sums up the disconnect between your good intentions and the destructive self-centerednesss of your thinking, “Self” in this case can mean community as well as individual.
There are many people who come to Mass lonely.
Mass is not simply a place to go when you need a hug, or need to give a hug in order to feel good about yourself. There are any number of places a lonely person can go to find Christian fellowship. In what way is the Catholic Mass, if it reduced to what you wrote, any different than the Methodist prayer gathering down the street? I’ll give you the answer - it isn’t any different.
The truly needy who come to Mass are not best served when they encounter people who will give them *passing comfort *by asking them about their gout and their in-laws. They are better served encountering people who are well-formed enough in their faith to give witness to the Real Presence of Christ among us; to the extraordinary sacredness of both the space and what is about to take place (or just took place) so they might find *enduring comfort *in Him. Sure, some may come simply for human comfort, but you have done them no favors if that is all you give them when so much more is available.
Of course it isn’t an either / or propostiion. Show them love and concern by all means, but it isn’t all about you. There is a reason we are told to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord and one another” (in that order) at the conclusion of Mass. The “sacred mysteries” and the nourishment of Christ’s Body and Blood is what enables us to truly love and serve one another. Jesus is the Source of true communion. Reverence to Christ as King prepares us to imitate Christ the Servant.
Again, I think this blurring of the Heavenly liturgy and the community gathering is one of the unfortunate fruits of “liturgical renewal.”
Your notions about Mass, I gather, are influenced by some of the unfortunate ways in which the liturgy has been manipulated in the name of reform so as to lose its central meaning. We have, in too many places, become a community turned inward, glaring upon ourselves. Our “worship spaces” are theaters in-the-round. We no longer look beyond ourselves to He who is to come; the King of kings, Lord and Judge of all.
Lots of words in your post, but I think this one sentence sums up the disconnect between your good intentions and the destructive self-centerednesss of your thinking, “Self” in this case can mean community as well as individual.
There are many people who come to Mass lonely.
Mass is not simply a place to go when you need a hug, or need to give a hug in order to feel good about yourself. There are any number of places a lonely person can go to find Christian fellowship. In what way is the Catholic Mass, if it reduced to what you wrote, any different than the Methodist prayer gathering down the street? I’ll give you the answer - it isn’t any different.
The truly needy who come to Mass are not best served when they encounter people who will give them *passing comfort *by asking them about their gout and their in-laws. They are better served encountering people who are well-formed enough in their faith to give witness to the Real Presence of Christ among us; to the extraordinary sacredness of both the space and what is about to take place (or just took place) so they might find *enduring comfort *in Him. Sure, some may come simply for human comfort, but you have done them no favors if that is all you give them when so much more is available.
Of course it isn’t an either / or propostiion. Show them love and concern by all means, but it isn’t all about you. There is a reason we are told to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord and one another” (in that order) at the conclusion of Mass. The “sacred mysteries” and the nourishment of Christ’s Body and Blood is what enables us to truly love and serve one another. Jesus is the Source of true communion. Reverence to Christ as King prepares us to imitate Christ the Servant.
Again, I think this blurring of the Heavenly liturgy and the community gathering is one of the unfortunate fruits of “liturgical renewal.”
D
Donna_Mc
Guest
It’s great that people are friendly but you can have a conversation
after Mass, outside.
after Mass, outside.
P
pray4peace
Guest
Our priest came out and made an announcement one day that there should be no talking while sitting in pews waiting for mass to start. I think it has been much quieter now at our mass.
Maybe you could let your priest know your concern so he can make an announcement.
Maybe you could let your priest know your concern so he can make an announcement.
P
paramedicgirl
Guest
I would like to see priests kneel and pray before Mass, as it would set a good example of holiness to the people. Who would dare talk if the priest was praying before the Blessed Sacrament? This is what our bishop does when he visits, and it has made a very good impression on some of the youth, who then imitate him.
St Alphonsus de Liquori says that priests are the mirrors by which we should view ourselves.
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