Anxiety with mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter eddybthatsme
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

eddybthatsme

Guest
hello everyone. i recently started going to mass again and joined the rcia (convert from a catholic schism). I have had some extreme anxiety about going to mass which is unusual for me. i guess it stems from the fear of doing something stupid. prayers would be appreciated and if anyone has got any tips for me that would be much appreciated.
 
Not exactly a tip, but if any of us do something wrong or say something wrong, we tend to assume that the entire congregation is looking at us and wondering what’s wrong with us. The truth is, nobody else even notices. So if you do find yourself standing when you should sit or whatever it might be, just smile and forget about it. You’re doing the best you can and God is so pleased you’re there.
 
If you don’t know what posture to assume, just see what someone else is doing that looks like they’ve been there before.

If you don’t know the prayers or responses, keeping quiet is an option.
 
eddybthatsme said:
any tips for me that would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Keep going, even if you do something stupid. I also had a lot of anxiety put off going for a couple months before getting up the courage to go to my first Mass. My second time going, I looked even more out of place, to the point where the old guy next to me had a little pity and made sure I knew it wasn’t a big deal. Over time, things will get more familiar and easier.
 
Don’t worry at all about what others think, as I have learned. If you don’t say or do the right thing, no one will care at all. Sometimes when I have gone to mass, I had to be the only one standing or kneeling in order to follow the rubrics, even though I am very familiar with the mass already.
 
Hi, I suffered from anxiety in my teenage years. I joined the service and found that I wasn’t that important that people paid attention to me or I was not a bad person. People are not paying that much attention to you during Mass. Think Positive. Good Luck.
 
eddybthatsme said:
hello everyone. i recently started going to mass again and joined the rcia (convert from a catholic schism). I have had some extreme anxiety about going to mass which is unusual for me. i guess it stems from the fear of doing something stupid. prayers would be appreciated and if anyone has got any tips for me that would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
If your worry is a matter of form over function, lay it aside…Christ will NEVER see anything you do in the worship of Him as “doing something stupid”…and yes, prayers are forthcoming!
 
God bless! Remember, you are fulfilling an obligation. You are pleasing God by going. Plus, you are growing spiritually by hearing the Word of God and receiving Communion. Did you know in the Bible it says “Do not fear” 365 times? Not a coincidence. Just go to Mass and do your best!
 
A tip, since your anxiety might stem from fear of judgment, is to learn to be less judgmental of others. I think some anxiety in this area can come from the fact that we ourselves are judgmental and thus assume others are. Likewise make sure you aren’t gossiping about others. And look into whether you tend to be a perfectionist. The cure for that is finding opportunities to humble yourself.
 
I used to have a lot of anxiety, after going to counseling for awhile it’s a lot less. I do recall one time though when all I could think about was everyone else around me and if they were looking at me or something. I guess fear of judgement, I’ve been dressing a bit better now to mass. Was just throwing a polo (untucked) and jeans on. Got some slacks and tucked in polo so makes me fell a bit more confident. That may seem a bit silly, I’m just not used to dressing up much from home parish. Though I don’t go to show off my appearance, I go for Jesus.

Realizing that we’re all sinners and all in the same boat is a bit more calming to me. Always had in my head that everyone was so much holier than me or something. Had to let that go, things can appear fine from outside but you don’t know what one may be struggling with internally.
 
While you are working through this, try sitting in the back row. It may make things a little easier just to know that there isn’t anyone behind you to see if you do mess up.
 
Thank you everyone. What a blessing it was to go to mass today. Once I was there in the presence of our lord my anxiety disappeared. I ended up praying for those whos anxiety stopped them from going today. Thank you all for you kind words and prayers.
 
Closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing could be beneficial. It’s helped me in the past with intense anxiety at Mass.
 
some time has passed. I hope you have attended Mass. If you still haven’t, perhaps you could sit in the rear of the church and follow along. Personally I think you have nothing to fear about not doing something correctly.
 
eddybthatsme said:
hello everyone. i recently started going to mass again and joined the rcia (convert from a catholic schism). I have had some extreme anxiety about going to mass which is unusual for me. i guess it stems from the fear of doing something stupid. prayers would be appreciated and if anyone has got any tips for me that would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
If Jesus gives you anxiety, you need to keep trying and praying and he eventually will allow you to join his army of believers across the land. Keep Praying eddy keep trying buddy. Trust me you dont want to not make it to heaven, hell is eternal punishment and if you give up on JC now you will never ever make it
 
Nobody is saying that Jesus gives them anxiety. I have an anxiety disorder diagnosed by my GP. I was providing an example of something that has worked in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety for me at Mass in the hope that others who struggle with something similar may find benefit or comfort in it.
 
Something to ponder: Do you suffer from social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety? I ask because 1 in 5 suffer from some form or degree of anxiety. If so (you might ask your doctor), drug-free help is available via cognitive behavioral therapy. You deserve to live in peace.
 
Your anxiety is understandable. I’ve felt that way myself sometimes. Roman Catholicism is quite fussy about what is “correct” behavior during Mass, and that stands in the way of a natural state of mind. Most Catholics don’t understand this because they’ve never worshipped in environments that foster a more loosely defined formality, so to most Catholics the rigid routines of the Catholic Mass feel “normal”.

My advice: if you feel anxious, sit in the back and keep quiet. Go to Masses that are moderately busy. Avoid busy Masses as well as very quiet Masses. And if you don’t want to walk up the communion line, then don’t. Don’t feel bad about “not participating”. True participation does not depend on your “correct” behavior. It depends on you heart’s disposition to commune with God.
 
The Mass is supposed to bring peace because it’s when heaven meets Earth. 🙂 Good for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top