Eucharistic Prayer in Silence?

[thessalonian]

This is from Benedict XVI (formerly Card. Ratzinger's) book Feast of Faith: Approaches to a Theology of the Liturgy (Paperback)

Interesting.

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Regrettably, the silence before Communion is very rarely observed, contrary to the intention of the Missal. I must add, though it conflicts with the accepted view, that it is not essential for the entire canon of the Mass to be recited aloud on every occasion. The idea that it must rests on a misunderstanding of its nature as proclamation. Where a community has undergone the requisite process of liturgical education, the congregation is well acquainted with the component parts of the Church's eucharistic prayer. In such a case it is only necessary to pray aloud the first few words of each section of the prayer—the headings, as it were; in this way the congregation's participation (and hence the quality of the
proclamation) will be often far greater than when its internal appropriation of the words is stifled by an uninterrupted loud recitation.
The unhappy multiplication of eucharistic prayers which we see in other countries and which has long been under way here too [in Germany], is symptomatic of a very serious situation, quite apart from the fact that the quality and theological content of some of these productions are hardly bearable. The continual recitation of the canon aloud results in the dmand for “variety”, but the demand is insatiable, however much these eucharistic prayers may proliferate. There is only one solution: we must address ourselves once again to the intrinsic tension of the reality itself. In the end even variety becomes boring. This is why, here especially, we are in such urgent need of an education toward inwardness. We need to be taught to enter into the heart of things. As far as liturgy is concerned, this is a matter of life or death. The only way we can be saved from succumbing to the inflation of words is if we have the courage to face silence and in it learn to listen afresh to the Word. Otherwise we shall be overwhelmed by “mere words” at the very point where we should be encountering the Word, the Logos, the Word of love, crucified and risen, who brings us life and joy.
- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
- _Feast of Faith: Approaches to a Theology of the Liturgy_ — pp. 72-73

[Aloysius]

awesome.

I remember the first time I took my girlfriend to Tridentine Mass, her first comment was how great it was to have so much time for private reflection and prayer while she knew what was going on at the altar.

[MilesChristi]

I love our Holy Father!

[Era Might]

I prefer the Eucharistic prayer spoken aloud. It makes it easier to keep your mind focused on what is happening at hand. Although adequate pauses are definitely important, particularly at the words of institution.

[Aloysius]

the bells keep me focused enough :

it actually seems to me that when they are not spoken, it forces people to be more attentive to what is happening. if they are spoken, then it's pretty easy to just sit back and listen to the priest do all the work.

[Era Might]

[quote name='Aloysius' date='Oct 17 2005, 03:54 PM']the bells keep me focused enough :

it actually seems to me that when they are not spoken, it forces people to be more attentive to what is happening.  if they are spoken, then it's pretty easy to just sit back and listen to the priest do all the work.
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I suppose you could chalk this all up to personal style, but I find it just the opposite. The silent canon makes me feel detached from the most important moment of Mass. By "detached", I don't mean fuzzy warm feelings about being included, but just what you say; the Priest is doing everything, I'm just sitting back waiting for him to intone the mysterium fidei.

The spoken canon is also important, IMO, because it allows immediate reflection on the beautiful prayers being offered. Nothing irritates me more than flipping through a missal while I'm trying to pray.

Edited October 17, 2005 by Era Might

[thessalonian]

I do hope they do something about the proliferation of Eucharistic prayers. It really bugs me and is a major distraction when the priest goes off on something I've never heard before.

[Aloysius]

you don't have to flip through a missal. you know what's happening, you know what's being said. watch. pray.

it's interesting how we both have the same criticism for the other way though. to me, when the priest is saying it out loud it's like we can just sit back and let him do all the work, whereas we must really be paying attention (not necessarily with our missal) to that important part of the mass.

[son_of_angels]

I see the main problem with speaking the first part of the Canon (up to the Consecration, after the Epiclesis) as being (1) a devotional problem and (2) a liturgical problem.

Devotionally, I find that the profound silence connects me more to the ACTION of the Mass and less to the words. I can mentally, and physically adore that same action, free from its accidents, mispronunciations, etc. The silence also enhances the creation of a worshipping community that is ALIVE, that is, one that, while having a common language of worship to communicate with one another, nonetheless has a silent, personal Soul to guide its worship. You don't love your spouse from the marriage vows itself. If you simply followed, daily, the vows in a precise manner it would lead to no true relationship with her, except a living, moving, and free soul animates those vows into daily living. Silence and adoration do the same thing for churches in creating a living fellowship and participation which can grow and change.

Liturgically, the practice of forcing the first part of the Canon to be said aloud also has its problems. When the Sanctus is being sung, for example, none of the ornate or beautiful polyphonic, classical, or even Gregorian Santus chants can be reasonably used, because they leave the priest just standing behind (or in front of) the altar with a silly grin on his face. The same problem also goes with forcing the priest to stand at the chair during the Kyrie and Gloria rather than having him ascend the altar and commit to a certain series of actions. SOMETHING must be done. I rather think this problem was the reason for the secret tone in these cases anyway.

Now, I am not entirely opposed to the priest saying EP II on weekdays, when a shorter Mass is often desirable, and perhaps even saying it all aloud when there is absolutely NO singing (Low Mass), simply saying that opportunities need to be created in the rubrics for greater musical gravity and freedom.

It also makes sense that the number of secret prayers which are said by the priest in general need to be increased, and required to be said such that the server may indistinctly hear them, so as to keep the priest busy during the Mass, rather than simply indulging the community in a series of worthless liturgical nonsense.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='thessalonian' date='Oct 17 2005, 04:12 PM']I do hope they do something about the proliferation of Eucharistic prayers.  It really bugs me and is a major distraction when the priest goes off on something I've never heard before.
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I didn't think there were THAT many different ones.

[dspen2005]

[quote name='Aloysius' date='Oct 17 2005, 03:49 PM']awesome.

I remember the first time I took my girlfriend to Tridentine Mass, her first comment was how great it was to have so much time for private reflection and prayer while she knew what was going on at the altar.
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the reflection is great... but the private prayer aspect can lead one to fall into the trap of the faithful in years past -- reciting the Rosary during the Mass. We must follow the counsel of St. Pius X, we must not pray at the Mass, we must PRAY the MAss.... this is key and ultimately foundational in the theological understanding of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='dspen2005' date='Oct 17 2005, 04:37 PM']the reflection is great... but the private prayer aspect can lead one to fall into the trap of the faithful in years past -- reciting the Rosary during the Mass.  We must follow the counsel of St. Pius X, we must not pray at the Mass, we must PRAY the MAss.... this is key and ultimately foundational in the theological understanding of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
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absolutely. I am old enough to remember the continual clank of rosaries and whispered Hail Marys, and other people dozing off til the bells rang.

[thessalonian]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Oct 17 2005, 03:36 PM']I didn't think there were THAT many different ones.
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I will say I haven't run in to it alot. A few times. It is like a discordant note. But I have heard that it is pretty bad in some parishes in our diocese. Parishes I don't and wouldn't attend. Evidently it is somewhat widespread in the Church according to Ratzinger's words.

Edited October 17, 2005 by thessalonian

[morostheos]

that is so cool! silence is so important!

[Aloysius]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Oct 17 2005, 04:39 PM']absolutely. I am old enough to remember the continual clank of rosaries and whispered Hail Marys, and other people dozing off til the bells rang.
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I'm young enough to remember Tridentine Indult Masses where most everyone is passionately attentive to the great mystery unfolding before them contstantly following the priest's actions with their eyes, lips, and prayers. :