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The Mystery of
Christ by Father Thomas Keating Appendix II Contemplative Liturgy For members of contemplative communities, the celebration of the Eucharist in a contemplative setting and mode is extremely refreshing. Shared silence is genuine liturgy. The practice of exterior and interior silence as an integral part of liturgy needs to be restored. Just as the Word of God emerges from the silence of the Father, so the sacred texts of the liturgy should emerge from the silence of the community. It is then that they achieve their full effect.To prepare the congregation to worship in this fashion, a vestibule to pass from our hearts may be helpful and even necessary. The community of Taize has developed a series of chants which are available in English.1 If one of these is changed by the congregation for five or ten minutes at the beginning of the liturgy, preferably in four parts, a suitable atmosphere of recollection and prayer can be created. After each lesson or group of lessons, a period of ten minutes of silence might be introduced. After the reception of the Eucharist, a similar period of silence, up to twenty minutes, might also be shared, depending on the amount of time at the disposal of the assembly. Hymns and sung responses are omitted and movements are reduced to a minimum. If the group is small sitting around the altar table may help to sustain the atmosphere of recollection and silence. The texts are read slowly and deliberately. The gestures of the celebrant and the words of the Eucharistic prayer are done with the utmost reverence and simplicity. A brief homily could invite the people to identify and commune with the presence of the risen Christ among them and within them. __________
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