C
catholic-rcia
Guest
How do you feel about a community church picture before the procession out of the Mass Easter Sunday? Then many people leaving after the picture …then the Procession out of the Church.
I’m shocked to hear you say this.I don’t see a major problem, since by that time the Mass is technically over. That is, the procession/recession is not actually part of the Mass and so it really isn’t regulated. In fact, there doesn’t even have to be a procession/recession.
I don’t think it’s prudent to hire the local photographer to drag out his equipment so the parish can have a picture party, nor do I think it’s prudent that this happen all the time or even very often at all, but once in a great while for some special reason isn’t really a big deal, since by that time, yes, Mass is over. In fact, I think the best way to do it would be to make a small announcement at the end of the homily requesting people stay in their pews for two minutes after Mass, have a normal recession, then have the priest and deacon and whoever else come back up the nave to take the picture. That way, the normal flow of the Mass is not interrupted, while at the same time making it possible to have the picture. That is how it would happen if it was up to me.I’m shocked to hear you say this.
A picture of the entire Church family after partaking in the Eucharistic meal? What a wonderful thought.
Next thing you know we will be holding hands.
Oh… wait…
-Tim-
I would hope you can accept that, although a closing procession is the normal manner of ending things, sometimes unique circumstances, like a once-yearly parish photograph, will create occasional variances in standard practice. And that is fine, especially when it comes to things like the closing procession, which are not (much to many people’s surprise) governed by liturgical law or actually a part of the Mass. I agree with you; I like the recessional, and when I have been to Masses without them – typically EF (pre-Vatican II-style Latin Masses) where the priest just sort of sneaks off into the sacristy after Mass – it feels like something is missing. But let’s not put too much importance on something the Church has never seen fit to deem vital.I just had the opportunity to be part of a very reverent Mass for fourteen years. That would be my problem. Now I am in a new Parish. In my mind the ending procession after the Mass is a beautiful way to leave after the encounter with Christ. I guess I was looking at it as a vital part of the Most Holy Mass. Now I know I don’t really have to wait. If I have something else that is more important I can just leave before the procession out behind the Cross. Can I leave right after receiving Holy Communion as well? I used to be LDS until I was Baptized Catholic 14 years ago. What helped me in my own conversion was the Mass. I think I was spoiled in Logan Utah. The reverence means all to me. Including the procession out behind the Cross. But that’s just me. As to holding hands I know no different. Always have.