Armed men at Mass

[Penitent60]

I recently saw an image of Templar knights presumably attending Mass in battledress. The image is likely to be a collage but I was wondering…has it ever been acceptable unless on a battlefield for soldiers to attend Mass armed. What were the exceptions?

 

[Fauken]

has it ever been acceptable unless on a battlefield for soldiers to attend Mass armed.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

From the beaches of Normandy, 1944.

 

[7_Sorrows]

The Knights of Columbus are armed when they are at Mass in their uniform.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Police officers attending Mass during their shift.

 

[vz71]

I don’t think many people realize it when those of us with a permit are carrying.

Any given Sunday, our church is rather heavily armed. Of those that know, no one is concerned; of those that do not…

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Police officers attending Mass during their shift.

Also bailiffs, security guards, and anybody else with appropriate carry permissions and licenses.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

When and if one of those crazy gunmen bursts in, we will be glad to have all the fine Catholic police officers and other armed people at Mass.

 

[tad]

When and if one of those crazy gunmen bursts in, we will be glad to have all the fine Catholic police officers and other armed people at Mass.

I don’t know, I’ve committed myself to that if that ever happened, that’s exactly the place where I’d like to die.

I told my wife the same as we went into mass a couple of weeks ago, and she asks me, “What if we get shot?”

 

[Tis_Bearself]

At my age I’m more concerned that I’ll have a heart attack in the middle of Mass to be honest.

 

[tad]

Police officers attending Mass during their shift.

I had a police officer friend who would carry his issued sidearm inside what looked like a bible case.

 

[JulianN]

Our bishop has specifically prohibited that unless you’re a police officer.

 

[vz71]

Fortunately, ours prefers not to let everyone know we are unarmed.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I have a friend that is a Catholic and a veteran. You better believe there have been armed people at Mass. When you are constantly at threat of being attacked, you kind of need to be packing.

 

[Penitent60]

obviously on a battlefield. I love this. Friends of mine have a son who was in some forsaken hole in the Middle East who was man enough to recite his rosary amongst his fellows who ranged in all aspects of religiousity. He was regarded as “good luck” even by the athiests. Truly a fearless chap.

 

[Penitent60]

thanks for that, I didnt know that happened.

 

[Penitent60]

I would be horrified if that is the case, but I live outside of the USA. I would happily go into battle armed with rosary and my handbag which is rather heavy with a daily missal.

 

[Penitent60]

That has crossed my mind on occasion when there is an unusual noise. The priest is offering the Mass and doesn’t lollygag, so I don’t either. There are much worse places to die.