The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass

Kimberly Novak reviews The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass by Father Boniface Hicks, OSB. 

The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass

by Father Boniface Hicks, OSB
Published by Sophia Institute Press

As a woman of faith, I am always seeking ways to grow closer to God. I especially like it when I stumble upon resources that allow me to do that in my everyday life. The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass is a roadmap to encountering God in the silence of our hearts as we participate in the liturgy.  

A great aspect of The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass is a behind-the-scenes look into the priest's quiet prayers. Normally, we see those prayers only if we pay attention to the whisper over the microphone. Father Hicks explains the importance of these silent prayers:

The priest’s silent prayers give us an indication of the texture of the silence the liturgy provides for us to enter into and can be a guide for the entire congregation on how to pray in that silence.”  

When I put this into practice and allowed myself to silently focus on the priest's movements and veiled payers, I felt a deeper connection to God. Reflecting on how that felt afterward, I realized how much beauty I missed out on in letting distractions take a front seat. Once I stopped and paired silence with the movement, I was able to breathe in Christ.   

The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass describes five movements of the liturgy inviting us into the silence of God’s heart.  Quoting Pope Benedict IVI, Saint John Paul II, and Saint Ignatius, to name a few, Fr. Hicks gives us many examples of how beautiful the experience of the liturgy becomes when we set the noise aside and enter more deeply into the Mass.  

Settling a snow globe 

The images and analogies Fr. Hicks shares in this book are easily applied to both those in religious life and the laity alike.  My favorite comes early on in the book and puts into perspective not only how difficult it is to find silence but also how beautiful it is once the silence takes over. This example is easily adaptable for our little ones to grasp what being silent with God during Mass looks like.  

Shaking the snow globe stirs up the little white flakes so that they obscure the scene inside until they slowly settle back to the bottom. Like the flakes, the many whirling things, including the thoughts and feelings, that swirl around within us obscure the presence of God. There is no way to simply stop all the things that are moving around in us. The only way is to hold the snow globe still and let it settle. Trying to shake it in order to speed up the process will only make it worse.  

Fr. Hicks concludes each chapter with Mary’s example by illustrating her experiences of silence with God. How they weave in the five different movements of silence, God is inviting us to during the Mass. This is especially wonderful for those with a strong devotion to Mary, as it gives the reader a chance to place him or herself into Mary’s experience and prayerfully consider where God is taking them through prayer.  

In addition to Mary’s reflections, at the end of each chapter, there are movements or reflections for the reader to take into practice. These are written so that the reader can choose to focus on one or all. I found this to be a gift and a way for me to be consistent in my quest to open my heart to God's silence.  

Throughout the chapters, Father Hicks often references Personal Prayer, A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love, by Father Thomas Acklin, OSB, and Father Boniface Hicks, OSB. Having read and reviewed both, I find that the two books together are perfect companions for the reader looking to quiet the noise and grow closer to God.   

The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass is designed to give the reader a closer look into the meaning of movements and how each one connects to the Eucharist.  All with an overarching goal of our self-offering. Letting go of struggles, placing our wounds in God's heart, and offering them to God through the silence of our hearts.  

I recommend The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass for anyone looking to go deeper into the liturgy or those who are looking for the power of silence to have a greater connection with God in the liturgy. Whether you struggle with silence or long for it, this book will draw you into a greater love for Jesus and transform the experience of the liturgy into a glimpse of the sacred silence of Heaven.  

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Kimberly Novak
Images: Canva