"It is also necessary to safeguard without let-up the essential contemplative function of the liturgy, which demands an appreciation for [(le sens de)] sacred silence. Silence and song are the privileged expressions of human communion. A liturgical celebration that culminates [(s'achever)] spontaneously in silence gives proof of its religious quality. Monastic wisdom knows how to effect [(sait)] this, for it always mixes silent prayer into the divine office"."It is necessary to respect profoundly the freedom of the Holy Spirit. If there is no Church, are no Christians without sacraments; if there is no fundamental spiritual formation without incorporation into Christ dead and risen—[an incorporation] accomplished organically via the sacraments and the grace of Pasch experienced in the liturgy—, there are, however, very different ways and degrees of leading the life of the liturgy. In fact, practically [speaking], silent prayer can center a life more than the liturgy. There is no spiritual formation that does not aim at the one as well as the other. Meanwhile a grave deficiency in liturgical life [such as a lack of silence] would be a fundamental omission in spiritual formation".
Bernard-Marie Chevignard, O.P., "Formation spirituelle," Dictionnaire de spiritualité 5 (1964), cols. 710-711 (cols. 699-716).
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