Silence is not empty space in the Mass — it is part of the celebration. Dr. Brant Pitre explains where sacred silence belongs in the liturgy and what the faithful are meant to do in it.
Sacred Silence in the Mass: When and Why the Church Falls Silent
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal teaches that "sacred silence, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times" — its meaning changing with the moment. Dr. Pitre maps those moments: the pause after the invitation to pray in the Penitential Act, the meditation after the Homily, the reverent listening during the Eucharistic Prayer, and the silent prayer after Communion, when "they praise God in their hearts." He roots this in Scripture — "For God alone my soul waits in silence" (Psalm 62:1) and the half-hour of silence in heaven when the Lamb opens the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1-4) — and in tradition, from the well-ordered silence of the Temple (Letter of Aristeas), to St. John Chrysostom rebuking noise in church, to the Second Council of Lyons, to Pope Francis' Desiderio Desideravi.
Key passages & sources examined: Psalm 62:1 (LXX 61:2); Revelation 8:1-4; GIRM nos. 45, 56, 66, 78; Roman Missal, Order of Mass nos. 4, 138; Letter of Aristeas 92-95; St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 Corinthians 36; Second Council of Lyons, Constitution no. 25; Pope Francis, Desiderio Desideravi no. 52; CCC 2717.
What is sacred silence in the Mass? Prescribed moments of silence — recollection, meditation, and silent prayer — that the GIRM treats as an active part of the celebration, not a gap. Dr. Pitre identifies each one.
When is silence observed during Mass? After the invitation to pray, after the Homily, during the Eucharistic Prayer, and after Communion — plus the praiseworthy silence before Mass even begins.
Why is silence after Holy Communion so important? The session draws on Pope Francis' Desiderio Desideravi and the Catechism's image of silence as the "symbol of the world to come" (CCC 2717).
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Hi David, I see you do have a subscrition. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
I have inherited leading a Bible Study based on the Mass Readings for each Sunday. The videos are very helpful in facts and insights to add to my research and prayerful preparations. Thank you for offering these teachings.
I subscribed and offered payment
but I have received nothing I requested???
Please advise
dgbaugh
Hi David, I see you do have a subscrition. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
I have inherited leading a Bible Study based on the Mass Readings for each Sunday. The videos are very helpful in facts and insights to add to my research and prayerful preparations. Thank you for offering these teachings.
