Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

We pray through the first Wednesday of Lent and reflect on why silence is essential before and during Mass. Drawing on the General Instruction, we map where quiet belongs, how it forms the heart, and what simple habits help a parish honor the sacred.

• opening prayers and Lenten focus
• where silence occurs in the liturgy
• silence as recollection, meditation, and praise
• quiet before Mass as praiseworthy practice
• the language of God as silence
• practical guidance for choirs and ministers
• questions for personal examination
• closing devotions and blessing

If you found this time of prayer and reflection fruitful and would like more opportunities to grow in your faith this Lent, consider joining the Cristeros and purchasing our Lenten Reflection booklet, now available on Amazon.com
The Cristeros app is available on the Apple app and Google Play Store
More information on the Cristeros can be found at the Cristeros.org

Transcript

Preparing For Mass

The Theology Of Sacred Silence

Practical Guidelines For Quiet

Examination And Devotions

Closing Blessing And Resources

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Wednesday in the first week of Lent. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the remission of my sins, for the intentions of my family and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen. Preparation for Mass. The general instruction of the Roman Missal gives us another important way to prepare for Mass, especially once we have arrived at the church. Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times. Its nature, however, depends on the moment when it occurs in the different parts of the celebration. For in the penitential act, and again after the invitation to pray, individuals recollect themselves, whereas after a reading or after the homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard. Then, after communion, they praise God in their hearts and pray to him. Even before the celebration itself, it is a praiseworthy practice for silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in the adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration in a devout and fitting manner. Clearly, there are meant to be moments of sacred silence throughout the Mass, so as to foster recollection, meditation, praise, and, as is the case before Mass starts, a proper and prayerful disposition. This is important, for it has been said in various ways throughout the centuries that the language of God is silence. Yes, we know that God has spoken words, as the scriptures attest repeatedly, but we must recognize that God in himself speaks his word in silence. He utters his word quietly, and it takes a quiet heart to hear him speaking. Everyone then, from servers to choirs warming up, to individuals seeking to pray, should ensure that there is silence in the church for at least twenty to thirty minutes before Mass, that all can prepare to meet the Lord. Sure, musical preludes are appropriate and can actually lend themselves to fostering devotion and deeper silence once completed. But talking, vocal exercises, instructions, etc., from a choir loft or a sanctuary can communicate all the wrong things about what is about to take place. Do you observe silence before Mass and during prayer? Do you talk before and after Mass with others? Is the church treated like a social parlor or the house of God? All that I have and all that I am, I give to your hands, Jesus, through the heart of Mary, your blessed mother. Amen. Sacred heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. If you found this time of prayer and reflection fruitful and would like more opportunities to grow in your faith this Lent, consider joining the Cristeros and purchasing our Lenten Reflection booklet, now available on Amazon.com. The Cristeros app is available on the Apple app and Google Play Store. More information on the Cristeros can be found at the Cristeros.org.