QUESTION & ANSWER CONDUCTED BY Fr. JOHN SYMON

QUESTION. I wander if you can offer any explanation or defence for the latest liturgical innovation, the saying of the Canon of the Mass aloud. Experience of the vernacular and the incessant dialogue of the first part of the Mass has been bad enough, but at least we were able to look forward to the one blessed haven of peace and recollection after the "Sanctus." Now even that has been taken from us. Why can't we have silence at least at this most sacred time?
—K.M., Ipswich Answer. Not unexpectedly, the recent liturgical changes have inspired quite a few questions and eventually I hope to deal with all the points raised by correspondents up and down the country. This week's question has implications regard. ing our attitude to the central prayer of the Mass and I would summarise my reply in two points.
First, the desire to have a very definite time of silence during Mass is both psycho
logically sound and based on an ancient Catholic tradition but, second, equally clearly the time for such silence is not the Canon for then, if ever, the people of God should be intent on what is being done and said on their behalf.
As things stand at present, there are several points in the Mass when provision is made for recollection, as desired by the enquirer. There is the meaningful pause the priest is supposed to make at the beginning of the Collect and Postcommunion; again, at least in England and Wales, there is a silent pause during the Bidding Prayers; finally, since the very date (June 29th this year) when it happily became possible to say the Canon in the only logical tone, namely aloud, the Church also provided for an extended period of silence after the distribution of Holy Communion.
During all the years since the introduction of the low voice for the Canon (about the eighth or ninth century), we have correspondingly felt little need for other periods of silence during the liturgy. Thus, the "Rectamus genus" for instance has become a meaningless formality; with the Canon said aloud once more, we may hope that the other periods of silence during Mass will be better appreciated.
Just as it is clear that there should be flexible provision for silent prayer at Mass, it is equally clear that, logically at least, such silence should not extend to the Canon. It is a prayer that concerns us all and, although the celebrant says it alone, he is speaking on behalf of all present.
It expresses our thanks to God for the benefits of creation and redemption, it recalls the Last Supper and repeats what was done there: above all, it makes present on our altar here and now the unique sacrifice of Calvary. Far from being the sole concern of the priest, it is of the greatest importance to the whole people of God and so it is altogether right that the laity should hear it and take in its meaning.
One further word. To alter people's devotional habits is a delicate matter and so the logically correct course is not always the most practical. This is why the Church has made the tone of voice for the Canon a matter for the celebrant's discretion and it may happen quite often, especially at daily morning Masses, that a priest who appreciates perfectly the reasons for saying the Canon aloud will choose to say it silently so as not to disturb his elderly parishioners.