DEPORTMENT OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE SERMON

The behavior of the people during the sermon was nearly always of the most edifying kind. Sometimes a little inattention or carelessness would be observed in some, while others in rare instances might be seen engaged in frivolous conversation. Whenever this was noticed it was the duty of the deacon to stand up in the sanctuary and call for attention and order by exclaiming: “Silentium habete!”—“Keep silence.” St. Ambrose had frequent occasion to give this order at Milan, and many bitter complaints did he make of the people of that city for their want of propriety in this respect.