Awkward moments during mass

[GJD]

The most awkward moment in church happened before Mass had even started. I was serving with a friend of mine (I never was actually trained, but just followed along) and a visiting priest was there that day. I had met him before. We were all getting our robes on in the sacristy and we began to talk about family life. As the priest talked about my parents divorce, I began to notice an echo. The priest’s lapel microphone had been turned on! Everyone in the church could hear our conversation. I pointed this out to the priest, who said something along the lines of, “Eeh, nobody out there is going to care”. He then proceeded to talk some more.

Second moment - a priest at a different church I think accidentally skipped the response after the memorial acclamation (In memory of his death and resurrection we offer you Father this life giving bread and this saving cup…) and might have even skipped the Lords prayer from what I remember and went straight into the sign of peace. He flipped through his book during the sign of peace and then realized what happened and appologized to the congregation and went on.

Third moment - a serious, yet unexpected one. An older women EMHC was to distribute the Blood at mass at the National Basillica in Wash. D.C. and tripped down the marble steps and smacked her head on the floor with a resounding thunk. The Precious Blood spilled and she also bled, which began to dribble down a few steps. An ambulance was called and the priest continued Mass without missing a beat. Distributing communion even as the paramedics strapped her to a board and took her out. Everyone was concerned, but she appeard ok.

 

[silicasandra]

I’ve been at a few Masses where the priest forgets the names or mixes the name order of the babies to be baptized, and either the parents, Godparents and/or the congregation has to remind him of the correct name.

When our son was baptized the priest pronounced his name incorrectly the entire time. It wasn’t a big deal to me (I have an unusual name, so I am used to this kind of thing and know that people don’t mean disrespect by it), but I would catch my husband glaring now and then and I sure hope no one in the congregation noticed!

One time in college, during the consecration, the priest messed up which species he was talking about. Afterwards, right before communion began, he said, “Wait - I messed that up, didn’t I?” and looked incredibly embarrassed. I felt bad for him.

Once when I was in graduate school I attended a Mass at the Cathedral (which was actually my local parish at the time) celebrated by the Bishop. I forget exactly what it was for, but there were many, many people in attendance from multiple denominations. As the bishop began the homily, a youngish man (30 at absolute most) stood up and demanded to speak. I had noticed him before as he was only a few pews ahead of me and he had seemed…agitated (now I recognize that he was probably mentally ill.) The bishop ignored him at first but as the man got louder and repeated his requests, he said, “Sir, this is a celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ.” and then the man was escorted out by two very big, burly ushers. (Seriously, all they would have needed was earphones and I would have thought they were Secret Service or something.) Apparently this man had been to a few other Masses too (which he was also escorted out of), but that was the first and last time I ever saw him.

(This is a great thread!)