Tell me the reason behind praying an entire rosary out loud during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Isn’t this the time we should be praying in silence, even listening? The proper time for common prayer is at the close of exposition as we receive the benediction of Our Lord.
Don’t get me wrong. The rosary is a beautiful, wonderful way of praying but it’s a private devotion and should not be used to fill up the time spent before the Blessed Sacrament. Vocal prayer should have another time, even another place.
I celebrate Mass in the AM at a church where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration. Before and after the celebration of the Eucharist, there is not a moment of silence. The Divine Mercy devotion follows a recitation of the rosary, then a marian hymn or two followed by intercessions. All these interventions are led by people in the chapel with an agenda. One after another they interject their favorite prayers out loud. It’s a rush of vocal prayer which misses the point of exposition.
The Blessed Sacrament is displayed to give us an opportunity for praise and reflection. I’d like to see more reverence for the awesome presence of the Lord by observing extended periods of silence. Prayer is a two-way avenue. I pray silent words in my heart and He listens. He speaks and I listen for His Voice.
I walked out to begin the entrance hymn for the Mass today and the fellow leading the rosary ended — so help me– ten seconds before the Mass was to begin. He had it timed. There would be no opportunity for silence before the greatest prayer of the Church.
One of the most irritating interventions of vocal prayer is now said at the end of every Mass where I live. It is the old prayer that begins “St. Michael defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the malice and snares of the devil.” Barely five seconds elapse after the concluding verse of the final hymn of the Eucharist when this prayer is rattled off with a compulsion that is, to me, unhealthy. WHERE IS THE SILENCE? WHERE IS THE RESPECT FOR THE DIVINE PRESENCE?
I am reminded of the biblical admonition: “If today you hear His Voice harden not your hearts.” How can we hear Him if are hearts and voices are not silenced so that we can rest in Him?