A tradition has grown up in my lifetime of deliberately placing silences at various points during the Mass. Those in charge of compiling our liturgies obviously think this is a good thing, but it strikes me that unless we have some idea how we are going to use these silences they can become embarrassing and irritating.

Silences can occur at various points:

1) Before the service begins

It seems an eminently good idea that we should try as far as possible to begin the Mass in a recollected attitude. I know that is not always possible, but it should not stop us trying!

2) Before the penitential rite

We will be invited to "call to mind our sins" (or some such words). This is not an invitation to wallow in our own unworthiness, but rather to reflect on the compassion and loving mercy of God as shown in Jesus. We come to the Mass with grateful hearts knowing that we have been forgiven.

3) At the Collect

The priest says "Let us pray". This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the liturgy. First of all let us be clear that it does not mean kneel down. The priest is actually giving an instruction to the congregation to pray and signalling a change of direction in the liturgy. Prior to this point in the service we have been singing or confessing our sins, but we have not actually been praying. Now we are invited to do so, and for the first time in the Mass we come together as a praying community. So there is a pause whilst we all pray. And what shall we pray about? I suggest whatever is laid upon your heart at that moment. Bring that to our loving, heavenly Father. After a moment of prayer, the priest collects all our prayers together and concludes this moment of prayer by saying the Collect (hence the name). This is a moment not to be rushed, and we need to understand the reason here for this very special and personal silence.

4) At the Intercessions

We are now very used to the idea of lay people composing and leading the intercessions, and this is good because the intercessions are "The prayers of the People". But I would urge all those who lead the intercessions to leave spaces, either in each section of the prayers or at the end. We need to balance the idea of the prayer of the gathered Church with the needs of each one praying - the corporate and the individual co-existing. A matter of sensitivity and space, I think.

5) After the Eucharistic Prayer

There is often a pause whilst the priest "gathers breath", so to speak. This is a moment for us to reflect on the fact that God who lived on earth in Jesus Christ, who was born as a baby in Bethlehem and died on a cross in Jerusalem, is now present with us on our altar.

6) During Communion

Communion can actually be quite busy. For very practical reasons silence is not usually possible. People are moving around, and unless you are the sort of person who can "switch off" there is really no opportunity for interior silence. That is why we use quiet music and suitable hymns and motets to foster an attitude of devotion to Jesus in the Holy Sacrament.

7) After Communion

Immediately Communion has ended, the altar has been cleared and the music has finished, the priest says "Let us pray". Again this is an invitation to corporate prayer. This time it is different because here we have an opportunity not to pray for ourselves, or indeed for anything, but just to rejoice in God's presence within us (literally).

If the silence goes on for longer than you expect - (more than a minute!) - then sit or kneel and relax for a moment. Enjoy being with God. Our loving Saviour is in us and wanting to share in our hearts and lives.

8) Why?

And why should we do all this? I think the reason is to do with meeting Jesus. Many things happen in the course of the Mass but one of the most important is that we meet Jesus - in prayer, in his Word and in the Bread and Wine. All these meetings are important and we need to give ourselves space so that they are more than brief encounters. And we need to give Jesus space to use those meetings in the way that he wants.

And then we go out from church, changed because we have been with Jesus. We are now ready to meet him again, this time in each other and those in need. That's the whole point of coming to Mass - the "Sending Out" Service.

Father Ian.