As part of the celebration, Sacred silence is to be observed at the designated timesduring Mass. Its nature, however, depends on the moment when it occurs in the different parts of the celebration.
For in the Penitential Act and again after the invitation to pray, individuals recollect themselves;
Whereas after a reading or after a homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard;
Then after Communion, they praise God in their hearts and pray to him.
Even before the celebration itself, it is a praiseworthy practice for silence to be observed… so that all may be prayerful and dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration in devout and fitting manner.