Before Mass Silence

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I remember a trip to Italy that I took, where I was talking to someone in the church. I was a teenager. She told me I should always be silent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament unless the mass is in process and it is time for responses.
 
With that being said, my pastor reminded me that different churches are different, different cultures sometimes have stricter observance than others, but that all Catholic Churches have certain rules that are to be adhered to. I am not sure exactly what the rules say about it, but I limit my talking to the vestibule of the church and keep it minimal unless some emergency necessites otherwise.
 
Onthisrock84 said:
You make a good point but I’m not in Church to listen to people make small talk. And half the time they gossip as well! Right there with Christ! That is not appropriate.
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May I recommend earplugs, then, and a bit of charity to realize that one day you will be that older person in the pew, God willing?

My mom is 83 and does a few “old lady” (her words, not mine, LOL) things that get on my nerves (and it’s funny because I can remember her complaining about her mother doing the exact same stuff) - and I bite my tongue and remember that one day I’ll get my turn too.
 
I don’t know if you have a spouse or someone that you are in love with.

If you do, you’ll understand when I say that there are times when you are with that person and nothing else matters (except maybe your crying baby).

You stare into their eyes, and the whole world just disappears and you forget all your problems, your work, your extra 20 pounds, your financial situation…everything. It’s as if you and your beloved are the only people in the entire universe. A dinosaur could run by you both, and neither of you would even notice.

When we love Jesus, being near the Blessed Sacrament is so amazing that all else fades. It doesn’t matter that two elderly ladies are gossiping loudly, or that a teenager is wearing a pair of shorts and tank top, or the musicians are running through the Psalm.

There’s an old Protestant hymn that you would probably like, especially the chorus:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full int His wonderful Face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the Light of His glory and grace.”

Just look upon Jesus and the extraneous noises will get much softer.
 
Yes.Pope John Paul Ii had his private chapel and he would work and write in there before the Blessed SacramentSource: Witness to Hope by G. Weigel.
 
Peeps said:
When we love Jesus, being near the Blessed Sacrament is so amazing that all else fades. It doesn’t matter that two elderly ladies are gossiping loudly, or that a teenager is wearing a pair of shorts and tank top, or the musicians are running through the Psalm.
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Well said. We need to discipline our eyes and ears toward Christ and not others. Question: when you say near the Blessed Sacrament are you talking about the tabernacle or are you talking about when the Blessed Sacrament is displayed. Thanks.
 
anon64350612 said:
Offer to lead the Rosary half an hour before Mass starts.
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Now I wouldn’t like that, but others might. I prefer to pray the rosary alone. I like to pray silently before Mass and find it difficult with the rosary going on. Yet, I have two friends in their 80s who chat for a bit. We all pray for each other and our wayward adult kids. No gossip, just about prayer/health concerns. We also call each other during the week for special prayers. I feel it bother other folks who are trying to pray, but it is also kind and loving to help these dear ladies.
 
Ear plugs ? Do Catholic churches sell them now - at the entrance ? " You may need these "

‘No gossip’ - ohhhhhhh - that’s a good one, Dlee.

""Elderly people (and even people in their 60s like me)
are very aware of their own mortality and impending death. “”
Well, Peeps, that’s not exactly a free pass card -

I did hear Father Groscheal - talk about - a time -
when a person could have a heart attack - fall down -
and people still wouldn’t talk in church - old school !
He says those Catholics, back then, were that very respectful - of God and others.

Talk in the church parking lot.

I have noticed - when mass is over - people hurry off - no talking then - lol
 
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Both, but before, during, and after Mass, we are near Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, other than those few moments when we received Him in Holy Communion.

Only during Benedictions and in the Adoration Chapel are we privileged to be near the exposed Blessed Sacrament–amazing and beautiful!
 
Of course awareness of impending death is not a free pass to chat casually in the nave in the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

But it’s an explanation, and it’s a better one than some people on this thread have offered–people who explain the chatter by accusing these older folks of committing a mortal sin.
 
margaret42 said:
then there are those times when the noise comes from antsy kids.
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I don’t mind the kids - that’s almost a given - and quite honestly - music to my ears.
And even little believer kids - have a certain style of behavioral etiquette -
it’s like notes on a harp -
But older people - and they just loudly saw each other 24 ago - at the last mass !
 
Onthisrock84 said:
Why on earth would I read a heretics hymn?
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LOLing a bit because there are a lot of Protestant composed hymns in Catholic hymnals…

And I guess you don’t much care for Christmas music either.
Onthisrock84 said:
It’s the principle. Why would someone tell me to read a Protestants hymn on a post about Christ in the tabernacle on a website for Catholics. I come here to escape the heretics propaganda, not embrace it.
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Seriously?

Lighten up, man.
 
Seagull said:
I have always liked showing up to mass an hour and a half early.
Rosary is at 11:30 am. Mass is at noon.
Large church. Only an older woman in last row is usually there.
I read during this time. But a woman in her mid 70s soon arrives
and then a man in his mid sixties. Like clockwork.
They talk. Not a minute of pause between them. Not loudly.
He’s proud of it too, once saying “ I started up this tradition”.

They used to arrive at 11:10 am or so.
Now they are there at 10:30 am.
They talked today…obviously…one had a colonoscopy…etc …it’s just frustrating.

Can anyone sympathize with me ?
I usually sit in the 5th row. Today, I got up, and sat in the last row of the church. It didn’t help. Only difference, I could see them. As if they were on a park bench by the pond. Right up till rosary starts.
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I can sympathize one hundred percent.
 
I know you want to read more about it…🤣
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Amazing Grace Anti-Catholic? Spirituality
Which means to me zero.
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