The importance of silence in the liturgy as an element of active participation. A study of Sacrosanctum Concilium no. 30 to a qualification of silence in the liturgy, its relationship with the Liturgical Movement, the monastic tradition and the pastoral tensions and challenges.

This research project focuses on Article 30 of Sacrosanctum Concilium and, in particular, on silence as an element of active participation in liturgy.

In a first phase, the genesis of this article is presented. The author of this contribution is situated in his context and the possible influences that have taken place in order to make silence a place in the conciliar document are taken in account.

In a second phase, the influence of the liturgical movement on the implementation of silence in liturgy as an element of active participation is examined. Analyses are made how the liturgy theologians from the liturgical movement thought about silence in liturgy and how the Magisterium thought about this before the Second Vatican Council.

Then the qualification of silence is studied from the influence of Benedictine liturgical tradition. The hypothesis is that the Benedictines in the liturgical renewal have been decisive for the perception and implementation of silence in liturgy.

Finally, we assume that this monasticization of silence, through its continuity with Benedictine tradition, also becomes a pastoral qualification for post-conciliation liturgy. The pastoral opportunities are considered for silence in liturgy, the implementation at specific relevant places and at right moments in liturgy or at the prescribed places according to the order of services.