Sacred Silence

You may have noticed some quiet times in the Liturgy. These are times for reflection on what has taken place either in the readings or the celebration itself.
The following is from the Sacramentary – or the priests’ prayer book – used at Mass. The following is taken from the Sacramentary, #23. It is part of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

"Silence should be observed at the designated times as part of the celebration. Its function depends on the time it occurs in each part of the celebration. Thus at the penitential rite and after the invitation to pray, all recollect themselves; at the conclusion of a reading or the homily, all meditate briefly on what has been heard; after communion, all praise God in silent prayer."
With the above in mind as background, the following times for sacred silence and pauses in the liturgy will be observed:

• After Invitation to the Penitential Rite:
• After Invitation to the Opening Prayer
• After First Reading is concluded
• After Second Reading is concluded or prior to the Gospel Acclamation
• After General Intercession that invites us to pause and add our own in silence.