Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has written a series of excellent books in recent years. One of these books was a Christmas gift from Bishop Stika to all of the clergy of our diocese a couple of years ago, The Power of Silence, and reading it had a profound impact on my spiritual outlook. One of the things that Cardinal Sarah talks about is silence in the church itself, especially in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Of course, unless it's Good Friday, whether it is concealed in the Tabernacle or openly exposed, the Blessed Sacrament is always present in the sanctuary of the church, and within sight of everyone in the nave here at Holy Trinity.
As we celebrate today's feast of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, it might do us well to remember the general importance of an atmosphere of silence in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. It is precisely because of the physical presence of Our Lord in the Sanctuary that, barring an emergency, silence should be observed in the sanctuary and the nave (seating area) of the church prior to Masses, and a general atmosphere of quiet should be observed at all other times within the church itself, including the period after Mass.
This atmosphere of silence and quiet is important to maintain for several reasons over and above the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, but there are two that come immediately to mind. First, there are people who are a part of our parish community who are only able to visit the church when they can come for Mass on Sunday. Some of them have busy work schedules or other family or personal obligations. I know from personal experience that it can be difficult when you have such obligations to find time for quiet prayer. There is and should be no better place for that kind of prayerful solitude then in the presence of Our Lord in His Sanctuary, in His Holy House. Because of this, we should try to keep in mind those who have come to the House of God for prayer, and maintain an atmosphere conducive to prayer at all times.
In addition, it is especially worth noting that lay people are not the only ones who have come to the Church for Mass and for prayer. Father Patrick, Father Alex, and all of the deacons need some spiritual solitude as well, and the clergy do not often have the opportunity to pray in the church itself before Mass. For this reason, it must be remembered that the Sacristy is more than merely a dressing room or a place where we store the supplies for the Liturgy. At the very least, the priest and deacons say vesting prayers prior to Mass. Often, if time allows, we will use the lead up to Mass as a time to pray our Liturgy of the Hours, or pray a preparation prayer before celebrating or assisting at the Lord's Altar. There is a crucifix and a kneeler in the Sacristy for a reason, and that is because the Sacristy, too, is a place of prayer, and a prayerful etiquette should be observed there. That includes a respectful atmosphere of quiet prior to Mass by those who may be in the narthex near the Sacristy.
Many parishioners may be disposed to ask: "When might we enjoy fellowship with one another? Isn't fellowship with other believers an important part of the Christian life?" The answer to that question is yes, it absolutely is. The Church has another word for this kind of fellowship-communio, and communio is very important indeed. Our love and hospitality toward one another and our welcome of visitors and the stranger is a reflection of who we are, so it reflects poorly on us if we fail to extend that welcome to one another. I will discuss the importance of this in some future column, but it is important to remember that we have two halls (Whitman Hall and Trinity Hall), a pavilion, an outdoor garden, a playground and a walking area between two buildings, all of which can and should be utilized for fellowship and social time among parishioners after Masses.
Scripture tells us of the House of God "my house shall be a House of Prayer for all peoples." (cf. Isaiah 56:7) On this feast of Corpus Christi, let us remember that the real presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist is always with us in the Tabernacle, and treat his Holy House with the reference that is due when God Almighty is present with us.
Note: This is the unedited version of the column that appeared in the bulletin at Holy Trinity Parish this weekend. On occasion, I will "fill in' for Father Patrick in writing the featured column, normally written by him as pastor. This week was one of my weeks to write the bulletin column.
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