The "Participation" Myth

[Brendan_64]

“Active participation does not preclude the active passivity of silence, stillness and listening: indeed, it demands it.” --Pope John Paul II

Personally I would find it extremely difficult to actively participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass without silent, still, personal reflection. I attend the OF Mass and the opportunities for such reflection varies greatly, depending on the priest celebrating the Mass, Some priests include plenty of silent time during the Mass, others seem to view silence as something that ought to be minimised.

 

[Aramis]

Personally I would find it extremely difficult to actively participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass without silent, still, personal reflection. I attend the OF Mass and the opportunities for such reflection varies greatly, depending on the priest celebrating the Mass, Some priests include plenty of silent time during the Mass, others seem to view silence as something that ought to be minimised.

Oh, brother Brendan, how I don’t miss the silence!

One of the wonderful things for me in the Byzantine liturgy is the almost total lack of silence. Someone’s singing (priest, deacon, cantor, or the assembled faithful) at almost every point except the homily… For me, the music sweeps me along, the chant draws me in. (I suspect you’d find it a bit much, based upon the above.)

This exemplifes one of the many reasons why the Church preserves and protects the Eastern Churches in Union… and why the rubrics are as lax as they are for the Roman, to a degree … so that the many different reasonable needs to attain that unity with the Sacrifice at the Altar are available to the People of God.

 

[Brendan_64]

This exemplifes one of the many reasons why the Church preserves and protects the Eastern Churches in Union… and why the rubrics are as lax as they are for the Roman, to a degree … so that the many different reasonable needs to attain that unity with the Sacrifice at the Altar are available to the People of God.

A body has many different parts, each with its own role and function. Sometimes we are guilty of forgetting that.

 

[johnmann]

Pope Francis:

“‘But, Father! This is for the Renewal in the Spirit folks, not for all Christians!’ No: prayer of praise is a Christian prayer, for all of us. In the Mass, every day, when we sing the Holy, Holy, Holy … This is a prayer of praise: we praise God for his greatness, because He is great. We say beautiful things to Him, because we happy for His greatness. ‘But, Father! I am not able…I have to…’ Well, you’re able to shout when your team scores a goal, and you are not able to sing praises to the Lord? To come out of your shell ever so slightly to sing? Praising God is completely gratis. In it we do not ask: we do not express gratitude for anything; we praise Him!”

I’ve been to my share of Protestant praise sessions as a youth and it always struck me as odd when they sing loudly, “Every knee shall bend…” but they never do actually bend their knees. They’re empty words.

Likewise, at Mass the priest says, “And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim…” Silence. Empty thoughts.

 

[johnmann]

Sacrosanctum Concilium:

“To promote active participation, the people should be encouraged to take part by means of acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and songs, as well as by actions, gestures, and bodily attitudes. And at the proper times all should observe a reverent silence.”

Which implies there are improper times for observing silence.

The evidence is overwhelming. Can we finally put to rest the mistaken idea that “active participation” can mean refusing to physically participate?

 

[Corki]

Sacrosanctum Concilium:

Which implies there are improper times for observing silence.

The evidence is overwhelming. Can we finally put to rest the mistaken idea that “active participation” can mean refusing to physically participate?

As long as we can simultaneously put to rest the mistaken idea that the only kind of ‘active participation’ that is acceptable is that which is externally observable.

 

[digitalpapist]

To keep peace of mind at my own parish Mass, I pray the rosary through most of it. It’s a laudable exercise recommended by Pope’s and Saints, and I found that I am very much participating in the Holy Sacrifice.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

To keep peace of mind at my own parish Mass, I pray the rosary through most of it. It’s a laudable exercise recommended by Pope’s and Saints, and I found that I am very much participating in the Holy Sacrifice.

I have resorted to this many times, particularly during homilies. I agree, often it’s the best thing we can do. I have a feeling, however, that we’re about to catch a beating for admitting this!

 

[ProVobis]

To keep peace of mind at my own parish Mass, I pray the rosary through most of it. It’s a laudable exercise recommended by Pope’s and Saints, and I found that I am very much participating in the Holy Sacrifice.

Okay, but do realize the presence of rosaries offends many in the church. Just saying.

 

[Corki]

Okay, but do realize the presence of rosaries offends many in the church. Just saying.

If the mere presence of a Rosary offends a Catholic in Church, they have much more serious issues to deal with.

Seriously, there are many, many people who hold their Rosaries during Mass. Even if they aren’t saying the Rosary prayers while Mass is going on, they still have the beads in their hands. The “presence of rosaries” should not be any more offensive to a Catholic than the “presence of a crucifix”, the “*presence *of a medal” or the “presence of a Bible”.

 

[Brendan_64]

If the mere presence of a Rosary offends a Catholic in Church, they have much more serious issues to deal with. .

I really have never understood that, but I do think that it is true that there are some Catholics who seem to disapprove of Rosary beads. A bit like the way the use of incense seems to annoy some. It seems that some Catholics would rather we were more like the Methodists and I mean no offence to Methodists by that (most Methodists I have met seem to be very decent, Christian people). But we are Catholics and the Rosary, incense and votive candles are part of the way our faith is expressed.