Silence in Church

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Diana_Catherine

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I am wondering if anyone else struggles with some of the talking that goes on before and after mass? I like socializing and I like to talk but when I go to mass I like to pray and meditate before and after mass but I find that, especially after mass, it can be difficult. It seems as soon as mass is over people forget where they are and start talking and laughing loudly.

I found this at the Vatican website. It doesn’t mention after mass but I think it could apply then also.

*GIRM: 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.*

Do you think this could apply to after mass, also, so people wanting to give God thanksgiving could do so?
 
I think it certainly should apply to after Mass. People should, in all charity, take their talk to outside the church and let those who wish to do so make their thanksgiving in peace. There are plenty of places to talk, such as the church hall, the narthex (assuming they close the doors), or outside if it’s nice weather. I always remember the sign one priest put up at the entrance to the church:

“Respect for the Blessed Sacrament includes silence in the church.”
 
The lack of silence and respect for our Lord’s presence is a real problem in the Church today.
[When I became a Catholic at an EF Mass it was in a church that had the word ‘silence’ in large letters right outside the nave.]

I just can’t understand it … how people can carry on as if it were just some meeting hall when they are in the actual presence of God. So many people come into our parish, genuflect, and then socialize. They act as though they have no idea that they are in a holy and sacred place and that their attention **must **be on Jesus in the tabernacle.

And then when the priest actually says "Let’s have a big round of applause for ____ " I almost loose it. That’s when I start to pray all the harder.

I’d love to hear either Gregorian Chant or silence during Communion. No hymns or songs thank-you.

I could go on for a few pages, but I don’t want to miss Maundy Thursday. (Wouldn’t it be nice if the priest obeyed the Vatican and only **he **washed the feet, and only the feet of men?)
 
Not all (as that would be a sinful statement) but too many people are today concerned about themself and only themself. It shows too clearly in church before and after masses. To me this is a lack of respect for The Lord and the blessed sacraments.

Let us pray for those souls and forgive them for not understand any better in this current time.
 
Diana_Catherine said:
I am wondering if anyone else struggles with some of the talking that goes on before and after mass? I like socializing and I like to talk but when I go to mass I like to pray and meditate before and after mass but I find that, especially after mass, it can be difficult. It seems as soon as mass is over people forget where they are and start talking and laughing loudly.

I found this at the Vatican website. It doesn’t mention after mass but I think it could apply then also.

*GIRM: 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.*

Do you think this could apply to after mass, also, so people wanting to give God thanksgiving could do so?
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I attend an FSSP parish. You could hear a pin drop before, during and after Mass.
 
Diana_Catherine said:
I am wondering if anyone else struggles with some of the talking that goes on before and after mass? I like socializing and I like to talk but when I go to mass I like to pray and meditate before and after mass but I find that, especially after mass, it can be difficult. It seems as soon as mass is over people forget where they are and start talking and laughing loudly.

I found this at the Vatican website. It doesn’t mention after mass but I think it could apply then also.

*GIRM: 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.*

Do you think this could apply to after mass, also, so people wanting to give God thanksgiving could do so?
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Concern yourself with things that you can control, not with things you can’t control. You can’t control the noise levels in your Church; you can control your reaction to the noise.
 
I usually find it okay if it’s done in a quiet, respectful manner. Not saying I think it’s right to have a full fledged conversation. One of the key things that I relied on when becoming Catholic was the fact that I can whisper to my parent’s or sponsor next to me with questions about whats going on.

So, I think it’s fine in regards to talking about church related subjects.
 
It’s true. People have forgotten where they are. I find this happening less, if at all in Churches which celebrate the Tridentine / Traditional Mass. Elsewhere, I have found more conversation IN Church afterwards. It’s so rude to those remaining who want to pray silently - and disrespectful to the Blessed Sacrament. People forget that they’re not in a stadium - They’re in God’s House. (Anyone remember that’s what Church is?) If you want to talk there - talk to God. Speak to His Mother. If you need to speak with friends, ask them to wait outside !
 
When people are still in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, at any time they should be respectful and talking loudly about commonplace things doesn’t fit that criteria. I may be a hypocrit for all the other times I fall short, but it pains my heart to see Our Lord iignore that way, and I can’t pray through it. I’ve stopped attend Mass at a certain place before, because the talking before and after Mass was so loud.
 
Incidentally, one of the blessing I’ve experienced since I began attend the EF Mass every Sunday is a sense of sacred silence, even among the little kids. It’s prayerful and warms my heart.
 
Splagchnizomai said:
Concern yourself with things that you can control, not with things you can’t control. You can’t control the noise levels in your Church; you can control your reaction to the noise.
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You’re right. I can’t control the noise and I do believe God is probably working on my character in such instances to maybe pray harder drawing closer to Him, to pray for myself to learn control in my reactions (I haven’t ever said anything or gotten angry, I just get frustrated) and to pray for myself and the people there and everywhere that we will remember where we are when in God’s house and also to pray for the Church.
 
Thank you for your responses. They have made me feel better.
 
I was very impressed yesterday at my Church. There is usually a fair amount of talking that goes on before and after Mass. We had Stations of the Cross and then the Good Friday service. In between both, was an interval of about 15 minutes. It was completely quiet, I was totally amazed and happy! I guess Stations of the Cross has a way of causing people to pause/think/pray.
 
rich c said:
when people are still in the presence of the blessed sacrament, at any time they should be respectful and talking loudly about commonplace things doesn’t fit that criteria. I may be a hypocrit for all the other times i fall short, but it pains my heart to see our lord iignore that way, and i can’t pray through it. I’ve stopped attend mass at a certain place before, because the talking before and after mass was so loud.
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Indeed.
 
Rich_C said:
Incidentally, one of the blessing I’ve experienced since I began attend the EF Mass every Sunday is a sense of sacred silence, even among the little kids. It’s prayerful and warms my heart.
Click to expand...
Where’s the Like button?

A very Holy Saturday to all…
 
Each and every Sunday I struggle with parishioners chatting up a storm, not to mention the cell phones going off and other things. My husband and I are the only two people who stay after Mass to pray, so we are in no position to complain about the noise. After all, it is only the two of us.

What I don’t understand, and which seems diabolical to me, is that out of the whole church, they will choose to stand either in the aisle beside us or stand behind our pew to hold their oh-so-important conversation that they can’t be bothered taking out into the “gathering space” (isn’t that what it is supposed to be for?). They don’t even attempt to keep their voices low.
 
Just wait till tomorrow (Easter Sunday Mass) if you think people are disrespectful during Mass. The same goes for Christmas eve Mass. Now we get to add all the people who know nothing about the new translation of the Mass to it. I have been going at different times and different parishes the past few years because of this.
 
Lormar said:
.What I don’t understand, and which seems diabolical to me, is that out of the whole church, they will choose to stand either in the aisle beside us or stand behind our pew to hold their oh-so-important conversation that they can’t be bothered taking out into the “gathering space” (isn’t that what it is supposed to be for?). They don’t even attempt to keep their voices low.
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Exactly. That is the very thing that caused me to ask this question.
 
My mom is elderly and plays the TV loudly. I have some commercial, industrial ear plugs that drown out the noise when I am trying to read, pray, or whatever.

here is one style that I’ve used:
pronto.com/user/search.do?displayQuery=industrial%20ear%20plugs&SEM=true&query=industrial%20ear%20plugs&adid=1192016215-4497717-0-p_mes&ref=industrial%20ear%20plug&matchtype=e&keywordid=5828057251&creativeid=618399852&loadingComplete=true&owl=false

they’re the little yellow foam earplugs. You roll them up and put them in your ears. They expand to block incoming noise.

I have a different version made out of a type of rubber. I wash them off and reuse them.

I don’t see any reason not to use them when appropriate, even in church.
 
Matthew 7:1-5

If everyone leaves a parish every time there is something that bothers us, there will be no one left in our church. Step 1: Pray about the things that bother you. Step 2: Talk with your priest, and if that doesn’t work return to step 1. Your fellow parishoners are your brothers and sisters in Christ–i.e., your family. My family (parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles) get on my nerves daily, but I would never switch my last name. Same with my parish. Find the things about your parish that you love and concentrate on that. After all, there must have been a reason (hopefully more than one) you went there and kept going back. I’m military so I understand visiting different parishes in a new area to find one that “fits,” but every parish will be made up of people who are not perfect and therefore will not be perfect. Every parish is also made up of Christians, so great things can and will happen there.

I don’t mean to offend anyone or sound overly harsh, but I keep seeing more and more examples of Catholics who seem to be taking paths that are leading them away from the faith. I work with many fallen away Catholics who quit going to mass or went Protestant because of this or that (one even cited the topic of this thread) and it breaks my heart.
 
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