Book of devotions and prayers

[kbpipes]

We attend a TLM Chapel. Normally we go to the sung Mass. Lately we have been going to a low “quiet” mass. Between dealing with babies and so on. It is hard for my wife to follow along in a missal. If she has to leave the nave for 10 or so minutes she is totally lost.

Does anyone know of a devotional book or book of meditations she could use during the Mass that would not distract from what For many this sounds like a no no, but my thought it is better for her to find a way to enter in rather just sitting there.

Thanks

 

[Ruthie_again]

Can’t you follow along in the Missal, so you can show her the place when she gets back? Or is one of your children is old enough to do so?

If you have a Missal at home, why not study it enough so that you can both tell where you are? You could read the parts of the people to each other.

If there are enough babies at your parish, perhaps a small section of the sanctuary could be walled off in glass for a “crying room”? Mine did that a couple of years ago. There are speakers for sound, and the altar can be seen from within. I’ve seen this in other parishes, too.

If the problem is that she is breast-feeding, well, maybe she can start a fashion for shawls! (It can be done with complete modesty under a shawl.) Or this kind of thing: expressiva.com/store/Nursing-Covers-p-1-c-267.html Or she can use a pump at home, so that either of you can give the baby a bottle of the good stuff when needful. (Of course you should consult your parish priest, in case there are rules.)

Lastly, if this is a serious enough issue, there are babysitters. Baby can return to Mass when he or she can go unfed for a couple of hours. (I love to see babies at Mass!)

 

[Ophelia23]

Being a mama makes the Mass so difficult to focus on sometimes. Especially if you are stepping out two or three times during the Mass. I remember that being one of my hardest adjustments as a mom. Something that really helped me personally was studying the Mass readings throughout the week before. I would read them in the evening and prepare myself for the overall theme of the Mass. That way, I could step out with the little one but still feel like I knew what was going on.

 

[Rich_C]

I would look on ebay. Before the “pray the Mass” movement that came out of St. Pius X’s urging gave the laity hand missals, Catholics were already using devotional books that offered prayers and meditations set for each part of the Mass. I’ve held some, one dated 1880-something, the other 1936. You may find one at a cheap price that is still fit enough for weekly use.

 

[kbpipes]

I would look on ebay. Before the “pray the Mass” movement that came out of St. Pius X’s urging gave the laity hand missals, Catholics were already using devotional books that offered prayers and meditations set for each part of the Mass. I’ve held some, one dated 1880-something, the other 1936. You may find one at a cheap price that is still fit enough for weekly use.

Thanks Rich. That is what I am talking about. Do you have any idea or names of books or anything like that? For most people it is hard enough to follow along during a quiet mass without constant distractions.