Sounds of Silence
A parishioner gave me a copy of the following sign found in a nearby Traditional chapel. I sure would like to post it in our church.
Recent generations have not been taught the reverence and devotion which is necessary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament; children run around, teens chat about their dates, adults discuss which restaurant sounds good for lunch, the choir carries on like at a rock concert. . . where does it end?
No wonder there are few, if any, statues and quality art in modern Catholic Churches with their emphasis on man and not God. Rather, one finds abstract art of questionable taste and quality, cloth banners, cardboard signs, and photo montages which litter the modernist "sacred space" where the community gathers for its happy meal.
Recent generations have not been taught the reverence and devotion which is necessary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament; children run around, teens chat about their dates, adults discuss which restaurant sounds good for lunch, the choir carries on like at a rock concert. . . where does it end?
Please
HOLY SILENCE
in the Presence of God
in the Blessed Sacrament
His House is a Place of Prayer,
not a Meeting Hall
No wonder there are few, if any, statues and quality art in modern Catholic Churches with their emphasis on man and not God. Rather, one finds abstract art of questionable taste and quality, cloth banners, cardboard signs, and photo montages which litter the modernist "sacred space" where the community gathers for its happy meal.
posted by Fr LWG at 1:50 PM
4 Comments:
Oh Father I hope you can and will place that sign in your church. I can't say how many times I have been interrupted trying to have a Holy Hour in my church. I find that sometimes it is easier to go somewhere where people don't know you just so that you don't get the distractions or to be dragged into needless conversation. They ignore the priests when they once in awhile remind folks to have silence in the presence of The Blessed Sacrament. You don't want to be rude to people, because they think you are if you don't carry on a conversation with them in church, but I rather not offend Our Lord. They just don't have a true grasp on what is truly indeed in that Tabernacle.
That is one of the many disrespectful things that I notice at church.
I hope this trend doesn't continue...Jesus deserves our utmost respect and we should humble ourselves in his presence and in his house.
I feel torn on this. Well not torn, perhaps I feel guilty because I'm in a position where I have to break the holy silence.
I'm in a new parish that hasn't actually built its church yet. The building being used as the church will eventually be the parish hall (and is designed as such) once the real church is built. In the meantime, the church doubles as a meeting area. There aren't even pews; it's simply chairs that are moved around according to what's going on in the church. They even have garage sales in the church! Thankfully the Blessed Sacrament is off to the side and a movable wall separates it from the area that is used for other functions, creating a sort of chapel. Don't take that to mean I think the Tabernacle should be at the side, but in this instance perhaps it's best. . . especially if they're using the main part of the church for dinners, meetings, and garage sales!
My problem is that I teach catechism and because of lack of space I've been assigned to teach in the church (we only have two small classrooms in the basement). My class is held in the chapel with the Blessed Sacrament. One of the grades was going to be put in there so I volunteered because I'm teaching the children preparing for their First Communion. This way we pray before the Blessed Sacrament before and after class and learn about the Eucharist with Christ present. I am often reminding them of His presence in the Tabernacle and directing their attention towards Him. That being said, I still feel at unease about having my class there. Try as might, I can't maintain holy silence with twenty seven year olds!
Anonymous: God bless you for serving Him through the little flock you lead. I am certain you have taught them the utmost respect for our Eucharistic Lord. It is also an opportunity for you to catechize their parents.
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