Are there rules about proper behavior before mass?

[jebojora]

Hi

I was wondering if there are any rules about proper behavior, attitude and reverance before mass begins. I know we all have our ideas of what is right and wrong, but are there any written guidelines or rules?

Also, what about prior to the Good Friday service or the Easter Vigil Mass? Since the Body of Christ is not in the Tabernacle before these services begin, does this change the expectation or rules of how we should act while sitting in the pews?

Thanks

 

[Ockham]

We are expected to maintain reverenet silence inside the nave. Sadly, that’s rarely experienced in NO Masses these days.

 

[Chellow]

In the General Instruction of the Missal you will find all your questions answered, see link below.

usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

( I copied what you requested below from the GIRM)

Silence

1. Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times.54 Its purpose, however, depends on the time it occurs in each part of the celebration. Thus within the Act of Penitence and again after the invitation to pray, all recollect themselves; but at the conclusion of a reading or the homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise and pray to God in their hearts.

Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

 

[Lycoming]

We are expected to maintain reverenet silence inside the nave. Sadly, that’s rarely experienced in NO Masses these days.

In no way is irreverent (or reverent) behavior limited to the OF Mass. I’ve see it at the extraordinary Mass too. Usually in the form of people putting on their own shows of “piety.”

 

[japhy]

In no way is irreverent (or reverent) behavior limited to the OF Mass. I’ve see it at the extraordinary Mass too. Usually in the form of people putting on their own shows of “piety.”

Hey, that sounds like “judging”. I thought we weren’t supposed to be doing that.

 

[Lycoming]

We are expected to maintain reverenet silence inside the nave. Sadly, that’s rarely experienced in NO Masses these days.

Hey, that sounds like “judging”. I thought we weren’t supposed to be doing that.

It sure is. It’s downright sad how people attack the “NO Mass” simply because they do not care for it. The use of that moniker alone is terribly negative. It saddens me to see people making clearly false remarks as a means to attack what they personally dislike.

 

[dixibehr]

Even in my Baptist days, there was a big sign that said “Silence” just outside the door into the Church.

Even though the narthex is part of the Church itself, people at the local EF mass jabber away in it just before they go into the nave.

 

[jebojora]

1. Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times.54 Its purpose, however, depends on the time it occurs in each part of the celebration. Thus within the Act of Penitence and again after the invitation to pray, all recollect themselves; but at the conclusion of a reading or the homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise and pray to God in their hearts.

Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

Thank you for this, it is helpful. But what about irreverent silence? Is there anything pertaining to what should be going on in our hearts and minds as we wait for mass to begin?

Suppose someone is doing a cross-word puzzle, reading a romance novel or texting on their cell phone? All perfectly “quiet” but still seemingly irreverant…is there any specific instruction or guideline as to what we should be doing as individuals prior to mass?

And does anyone think the level of irreverence has any relation to the tabernacle being empty? In other words, if someone is doing a cross-word puzzle in the pew, an hour before Easter Vigil, when the tabernacle is empty is this the same level of irreverence as someone doing the same action when Christ is in the tabernacle?

What is “reverent” and “irreverent” behavior seems to be subjective. I was hoping the Church has some specifics.

Thanks for your help

 

[japhy]

Thank you for this, it is helpful. But what about irreverent silence? Is there anything pertaining to what should be going on in our hearts and minds as we wait for mass to begin?

That isn’t something that can be governed by rubrics. Rather, pastors (and others) should teach the faithful about the liturgy so that they can participate in it properly.

Vatican II put it this way:
11. But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain. Pastors of souls must therefore realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.

1. … In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit; and therefore pastors of souls must zealously strive to achieve it, by means of the necessary instruction, in all their pastoral work.

Yet it would be futile to entertain any hopes of realizing this unless the pastors themselves, in the first place, become thoroughly imbued with the spirit and power of the liturgy, and undertake to give instruction about it. A prime need, therefore, is that attention be directed, first of all, to the liturgical instruction of the clergy.

1. With zeal and patience, pastors of souls must promote the liturgical instruction of the faithful, and also their active participation in the liturgy both internally and externally, taking into account their age and condition, their way of life, and standard of religious culture. By so doing, pastors will be fulfilling one of the chief duties of a faithful dispenser of the mysteries of God; and in this matter they must lead their flock not only in word but also by example.
   If only this part of the the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy had been as zealously applied as other parts (and other non-existent parts)!

 

[jebojora]

Thanks Japhy -

That does help.

At Easter Vigil service, there were two young men next to me. Prior to the service starting they were both playing games on their cell phones. They were quiet, holding the cell phones down in their laps, not making a scene or a distraction. I believe this to be inappropriate, but as I said they were quiet.

The lady behind them had noticed they were playing games when she knelt to pray, she then leaned forward and in loud whisper (in a very critical and judgmental tone)said “Do you realize you are in Church?” and then “I cannot believe you are playing video games.” The one young man didn’t say anything but did put the phone away. He was visibly embarrassed. The other one ignored her. She leaned up again and said “I want you to put that game away right now it is disrespectful.” He said something back to her, like “thanks” or something but continued playing. She and her mother then whispered back and forth in disparaging tones and eventually slid down the pew away from the young men. That other young man put his phone away a few minutes before mass began.

I was unsure as to her “right” and/or “obligation” to have said something. I also considered playing games to be inappropriate and irreverent, but I didn’t know if it would be my place to say something since their behavior wasn’t directly distracting me and the tabernacle was empty. That’s why I asked if it made a difference with the tabernacle empty.

My impression was that these young men were not fully aware that what they were doing was disrespectful. One could argue that they should have been, but sometimes things that seem obvious to some are not so obvious to others. I felt she was rather harsh. I’m sure she was offended by their lack of respect for God, but sometimes gentle correction can do a world of good, where a stern reprimand has the opposite effect.

So to round out my question here, is it our obligation to correct others in Church?

 

[jeanne71350]

Thank you for this, it is helpful. But what about irreverent silence? Is there anything pertaining to what should be going on in our hearts and minds as we wait for mass to begin?

Suppose someone is doing a cross-word puzzle, reading a romance novel or texting on their cell phone? All perfectly “quiet” but still seemingly irreverant…is there any specific instruction or guideline as to what we should be doing as individuals prior to mass?

And does anyone think the level of irreverence has any relation to the tabernacle being empty? In other words, if someone is doing a cross-word puzzle in the pew, an hour before Easter Vigil, when the tabernacle is empty is this the same level of irreverence as someone doing the same action when Christ is in the tabernacle?

What is “reverent” and “irreverent” behavior seems to be subjective. I was hoping the Church has some specifics.

Thanks for your help

Well, even if Jesus is not present in the tabernacle, we still believe that it is God’s house. Crosswords and reading nonsecular books could wait, but if someone is texting and it is an emergency, I don’t see a problem with that.

-Jeanne

 

[Ockham]

Suppose someone is doing a cross-word puzzle, reading a romance novel or texting on their cell phone? All perfectly “quiet” but still seemingly irreverant…is there any specific instruction or guideline as to what we should be doing as individuals prior to mass?

What is “reverent” and “irreverent” behavior seems to be subjective. I was hoping the Church has some specifics.

Thanks for your help

Wow. I’ve never thought about it like that. You’re right, I’ll stop reading romance novels during Mass. Hmmm…what will I do with myself instead - say the Rosary? I hope Pope Benedict writes a sequel to “Spirit of the Liturgy” outlining the guidelines of which irreverence is permissable and what is just too far out there - like Ipods, Blackberries and DS during the Consecration and stuff.

 

[jebojora]

Wow. I’ve never thought about it like that. You’re right, I’ll stop reading romance novels during Mass. Hmmm…what will I do with myself instead - say the Rosary? I hope Pope Benedict writes a sequel to “Spirit of the Liturgy” outlining the guidelines of which irreverence is permissable and what is just too far out there - like Ipods, Blackberries and DS during the Consecration and stuff.

I’m sorry, is your sarcasm directed at me? I’m not sure what your point is. I was not saying there should be permissible irreverence, I was just asking if there were written guidelines. The reason being, that we always have the secular pushing it’s way into our Church, and the lines blur and what becomes acceptable, or irreverant can change over time. If there were written rules we could use that as a basis for disallowing certain behaviors.

Irreverence can be subjective. When people don’t realize their behavior is irreverant, it would help if there were specifics we could point them to instead of giving them a whole lot of opinions on the subject.

 

[Ockham]

If I misinterpreted your intentions then I apologize. In the GIRM we are asked to establish reverent silence before, during, and after Mass. In the nave we are in the presence of Christ. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is like being at Calvary. Our Saviour is being put to death in the most painful way in order to save us. If you were at the foot of the Cross two thousand years ago I’m sure a romance novel or Blackberry wouldn’t be something you’d be thinking of doing.

 

[jebojora]

If I misinterpreted your intentions then I apologize. In the GIRM we are asked to establish reverent silence before, during, and after Mass. In the nave we are in the presence of Christ. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is like being at Calvary. Our Saviour is being put to death in the most painful way in order to save us. If you were at the foot of the Cross two thousand years ago I’m sure a romance novel or Blackberry wouldn’t be something you’d be thinking of doing.

And I agree with you. Actually, you make my point. You are basically saying it should be obvious what is reverent, and what is not. But, since we all see irreverence prior to Mass…it must not be as obvious as we think.

I do not think that all those who are irreverent, are trying to be disrespectful. I think maybe they’ve fallen into indifference, or it could be a result of poor teaching or poor example, or they could be new Catholics not fully aware of the proper way to behave prior to Mass. Not an excuse, but it can explain the behavior.

If I were to attempt to correct someone, I would hope to do so lovingly, not attack them but teach them. I was only trying to find out if there was something in writing that I could point them to so they could learn for themselves what and why reverent silence is expected prior to Mass. I also wondered if it is our place to say something…I’m still not clear on that. I am trying to learn something here.

I’m a convert to Catholicism. I attended RCIA in a Church that was not so traditional and they allowed many abuses. But I had no idea at the time, since I was learning Catholicism from them, I thought they were teaching me correctly. For instance, when I came into the Church our priest told us we did not need to go to confession because our first Eucharist was cleansing. So, none of us went to confession. Now I know, from reading and learning, that this was wrong, very wrong. But I wonder how many of those in my RCIA class continue to believe they were taught correctly.

So, since I have learned so much more about the Catholic faith through reading apologetics, books, the Catechism and Scripture, I only wondered if there was something I had not come across that might address proper attitude and behavior before Mass. When we have something in writing from the Church to back us up, it is not likely to be seen as a personal opinion or correction, but more of a sharing of information.

I was certainly not looking to make irreverent behavior acceptable.

 

[Ockham]

I share your confusion and frustration. Sadly, proper Church teaching is rare in our Western parishes. The abuses at the NO Mass I attend have got me to the point of wanting to do something, but like you I’m not sure what that will be. My first pet peeve is the chatter before Mass. One of the worse offenders is the head usher. I think I’m going to write a short essay citing GIRM, popes and other authorative statements and hand it to him in a respectful and peaceful manner. Yet as in any other organization, leadership comes from the top. Our Holy Father is trying to lead by example, yet faces challenges from many sides (ex: Holland, Austria, California). We need to pray for him, for our Church, and each other.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

jabojora

sounds like if the lady was “critical and judgemental” she reaped what she was sowing.

 

[Holland]

In no way is irreverent (or reverent) behavior limited to the OF Mass. I’ve see it at the extraordinary Mass too. Usually in the form of people putting on their own shows of “piety.”

[SIGN][/SIGN]

Good Grief! What in the world is irreverent piety?

 

[Ockham]

Praying too hard, I guess.

 

[surfgirlusa_200]

Without trying to sound judgemental, I have been surprised by the amount of chatter that occurs before Mass.

I recently went to the parish in my home town for the first time in ages (I became Catholic at college, and hadn’t gone to the Catholic church in my hometown since going with a friend in middle school). At first, it was very reverent and quiet; there were many elderly adults praying the rosary, kneeling and prayer, or simply sitting quietly in the pews. However, many people were chatting just outside the door, and would continue to chat as they made their way in. These tended to be middle aged adults. The younger adults and children were actually fairly quiet.

This made me wonder: why is it that some of the middle aged adults (I’m guessing Gen X and the younger Baby Boomers) are more disrespectful than the young adults (Gen Y and some Millenials). Thoughts?

This was a Saturday evening Mass, if that makes any difference.