Being late for Mass

[robwar]

And if I ever saw a sign posted like that at my parish, I’m pretty sure I would have a chat with my pastor about it. Sorry, but a blanket sign comparing anyone who leaves early to JUDAS is uncharitable and disrespectful. Is that the message that parish wants to send to a fallen away Catholic who shows up to Mass for the first time in 30 years? Or a questioning atheist who has never set foot in a church before? Or the woman who is leaving early to make it to her job at a fast food place on time, since her husband lost his job and she has to work as many hours as possible? That last person is me, by the way.

Sorry, I’ve heard that “cute” phrase before, and it really burns me up. This wasn’t directed at you because I know you didn’t put the sign up, but rather to anyone who thinks such a sign is a good idea.

I understand and this is not my parish and it was mentioned as one way this priest was trying to have people stop and think about their behavior with coming late or leaving early. This particular priest is actually very popular in his parish so with what I know about this parish and priest that it was well received. Yes, there can be many reasons why people come late or even leave early and the only behavior we can control is our own. I think maybe the point of the thread is looking at trends and people’s behaviors. If a parish has a large number of people that come in late or leave it is up to the priest to educate and address the issues. Different priests do different things, this is just one example
peace and I’m not taking it personally

 

[englishredrose]

It’s only right that the Priest leaves first, this call RESPECT !..

hmm
In Anglican Church the Altar Servers Lead the Priest of the Altar and back around into the vestry making him last of the Altar Party. Sometimes I am first out of church if you count the vestry as being out of church after a service… Not the Priest as he is last of the Altar and last into the vestry in our line up…

But very rare do people leave the service as they like to speak to the priest at the end so barely move from their pews till he has come back out of the vestry. People do come borderline late and late. For me late is having to wait for the Altar Party to go past as people coming in find their seats. However, I never have any kind of judgment about whether they are too late. That is irrelevent and only for them to decide.

 

[RyanBlack]

I see that a lot too and I don’t like it. I don’t understand what the hurry is. I’ve only left Mass directly after receiving Communion twice- both were weekday Masses and I had no choice as I had an important event to attend.

Another thing that bothers me is when people keep their coats on all during Mass. Sorry but I think it’s rude. Some argue that the church is cold, but the solution to that is to dress warmer, not to leave one’s coat on. There’s something to be said for reverence-in postures and gestures, in demeanor and dress. We’re there for Jesus, to render Him due worship and adoration.

Would you please explain to me how it is that leaving one’s coat on is disrespectful? I’ve never heard such a thing.

 

[thistle]

Today I went to a later Mass - the most popular time and the last Mass of the day in our parish. I was surprised to see people - individuals, couples, families, coming in as much as 35 minutes late. The Mass was totally packed, and these people cruised the aisles looking for seats, even during prep of the altar for consecration. Our church is “in the round” and is massive, so lots of places to look and lots of walking around. They kept loud whispering “are those seats free?!” It was a little distracting! But on the other hand, it’s good they came at all.

When I was young, if we were more than 5 minutes late we stood in the narthex for the duration of the service unless there was loads of room in the very back to be seated. Is there a “rule” for how late one can be for Mass, and especially what to do when one is 20+ minutes tardy? I swear, at least 100 people came this late today.

This has been debated many times in these forums.
There are no Church rules about being late to Mass. There is no Church document on this.

Canon law simply states you must participate in Mass but it does not specify/define what time period is required.
Any opinions about what constitutes being late and thereby not fulfilling the Sunday obligation is just that - an opinion. The Church does not state you MUST participate by or to a certain time.

 

[babochka]

Would you please explain to me how it is that leaving one’s coat on is disrespectful? I’ve never heard such a thing.

Ryan, I’ve seen this come up before and I don’t get it, either. I think it might be a really cold weather thing. You’re in Texas and I’m in California. I don’t know about you, but we don’t experience really cold winters here. The most I ever wear to church is a lightweight jacket, and I usually leave it on if I walk into the church wearing it. Maybe it has more to do with having a big winter coat, complete with hat and gloves? Maybe it is an indicator that you’re just dropping in for a minute and not planning to stay?

As to the original question (Ryan, this isn’t directed to you, I just didn’t want to make a new post),I think that people just need to worry about themselves more and less about everybody else. I’m a compulsively punctual person. Short of absolute disaster, my family of 7 is on time for church, every week. The only time I can remember being late in recent history was because the freeway was flooded and impassable. I was 45 minutes late that time. Anyway, I’m married to a wonderful man who would be late everywhere if it weren’t for him being married to me. I’ve learned that being on time is a skill. Some people can learn it if it doesn’t come naturally, others just never will. It used to really upset me and I was terribly judgmental about people who are always late. I’ve had to learn to relax and realize that getting places on time is a skill that some people lack. I can’t sing. I don’t happen to have that skill. I try not to sing too loudly in church, so that I don’t distract the people next to me. Just as I expect the chronically late to come in as unobtrusively as possible. Sometimes, you just have to let it go.

 

[Jennifoo]

Would you please explain to me how it is that leaving one’s coat on is disrespectful? I’ve never heard such a thing.

Leaving one’s coat on can make it appear that the person just wants to get it over with and leave as soon as possible. I’m sure that most people don’t have this attitude, but the gesture conveys the message nonetheless. After all, when we go to someone’s home for dinner we wouldn’t dream of leaving our coat on the entire time-that would be considered disrespectful to the host. Kimberley Hahn wrote about this in Rome, Sweet Home and it’s stayed with me ever since. When we go to the House of the Lord, it is a sublime, undeserved privilege. We express our appreciation and gratitude by being on time, dressing beautifully and modestly, with a reverent disposition. Taking our coats off signifies that, just as we love to be a guest at a friend’s house and visit with them, so we signify to the Lord and fellow Catholics our joy at being there, communing with the Lord. We want to stay in His Presence for awhile, like the Apostles at the Transfiguration.

 

[RyanBlack]

Leaving one’s coat on can make it appear that the person just wants to get it over with and leave as soon as possible. I’m sure that most people don’t have this attitude, but the gesture conveys the message nonetheless. After all, when we go to someone’s home for dinner we wouldn’t dream of leaving our coat on the entire time-that would be considered disrespectful to the host. Kimberley Hahn wrote about this in Rome, Sweet Home and it’s stayed with me ever since. When we go to the House of the Lord, it is a sublime, undeserved privilege. We express our appreciation and gratitude by being on time, dressing beautifully and modestly, with a reverent disposition. Taking our coats off signifies that, just as we love to be a guest at a friend’s house and visit with them, so we signify to the Lord and fellow Catholics our joy at being there, communing with the Lord. We want to stay in His Presence for awhile, like the Apostles at the Transfiguration.

To me, this amounts to imposing one’s own, culturally bound standards (probably class bound as well) on others. If I see people not remove their coats at Divine Liturgy, if I were even to bother to stop and think about it, I would simply assume that they were cold and needed the coat. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[anp1215]

To me, this amounts to imposing one’s own, culturally bound standards (probably class bound as well) on others. If I see people not remove their coats at Divine Liturgy, if I were even to bother to stop and think about it, I would simply assume that they were cold and needed the coat. Nothing more, nothing less.

If I’m cold, I’ll leave my coat on (or put it back on). If Kimberly Hahn or anyone else thinks I’m being rude or ungrateful to be a guest in the Lord’s house, that’s their problem.

 

[Dolphinseven]

If you are going to be very late for church, go to the next one, if late at the last mass, then next time try to get there on Time. FROM BEGINNING TO END…

 

[Dolezal]

I don’t support coming late for Mass, but isn’t your Sunday obligation, strictly speaking, fulfilled when you arrive before the sacrifice of the Mass? Forgot where I read that, please correct me if that’s not true.

 

[paperwight66]

If I’m cold, I’ll leave my coat on (or put it back on). If Kimberly Hahn or anyone else thinks I’m being rude or ungrateful to be a guest in the Lord’s house, that’s their problem.

Absolutely ! I really can’t understand how leaving a coat on in church can be called disrespectful. And to be practical, is the church expected to provide hanging space for so many hundreds of coats? Or are they to be put on the floor or what?

 

[anp1215]

Absolutely ! I really can’t understand how leaving a coat on in church can be called disrespectful. And to be practical, is the church expected to provide hanging space for so many hundreds of coats? Or are they to be put on the floor or what?

I have no idea. Especially if the people are cram packed into the pews. It’s not like you can sit it on the space next to you. Wearing a coat in church is rude…what a bizarre notion.

 

[Leon_Bloy]

The Church does not take a position on how late one can be and still fufill one’s obligation. Just be on time. If you are late due to an accident or some unforeseen circumstance, it’s not your fault - that is, if there’s not another mass later in the day you can attend instead.

 

[thistle]

I don’t support coming late for Mass, but isn’t your Sunday obligation, strictly speaking, fulfilled when you arrive before the sacrifice of the Mass? Forgot where I read that, please correct me if that’s not true.

I would be interested to know where you read that because the Church does not say it.
The problem is as I said in an earlier post the Church does not specify when a person has to be at Mass to fulfill the obligation. The Church has written NOTHING on this.
Canon law simply says you must participate in Mass to fulfill the obligation. It does not define what participating means in terms on when you have to be there so anything anybody tells you is speculation and opinion but not fact.

 

[anp1215]

I would be interested to know where you read that because the Church does not say it.
The problem is as I said in an earlier post the Church does not specify when a person has to be at Mass to fulfill the obligation. The Church has written NOTHING on this.
Canon law simply says you must participate in Mass to fulfill the obligation. It does not define what participating means in terms on when you have to be there so anything anybody tells you is speculation and opinion but not fact.

Didn’t the Church use to say you had to arrive by the Consecration? I know they don’t specify anymore, but I’ve heard several people say that was the “old rule.”

 

[babochka]

If you are going to be very late for church, go to the next one, if late at the last mass, then next time try to get there on Time. FROM BEGINNING TO END…

Not everyone has the option to just go to the next Mass. Families with young children have to deal with nap and meal needs. People in rural areas or small towns might only have one Mass offered.

 

[babochka]

Leaving one’s coat on can make it appear that the person just wants to get it over with and leave as soon as possible. I’m sure that most people don’t have this attitude, but the gesture conveys the message nonetheless. After all, when we go to someone’s home for dinner we wouldn’t dream of leaving our coat on the entire time-that would be considered disrespectful to the host. Kimberley Hahn wrote about this in Rome, Sweet Home and it’s stayed with me ever since. When we go to the House of the Lord, it is a sublime, undeserved privilege. We express our appreciation and gratitude by being on time, dressing beautifully and modestly, with a reverent disposition. Taking our coats off signifies that, just as we love to be a guest at a friend’s house and visit with them, so we signify to the Lord and fellow Catholics our joy at being there, communing with the Lord. We want to stay in His Presence for awhile, like the Apostles at the Transfiguration.

In my church, we leave coats on because it is cold. There is only one Divine Liturgy on Sunday, and if it is cold enough outside to wear coats, it is cold inside the church too, especially at the beginning. The cry room has no heat and is really, really cold. I’m not going to take my coat off for appearances sake, if it means I’ll be cold.

 

[thistle]

Didn’t the Church use to say you had to arrive by the Consecration? I know they don’t specify anymore, but I’ve heard several people say that was the “old rule.”

There has never been a Church document or rule on being late for Mass. That’s my point.
People have simply given their opinions.