Burping in mass

[michaelArc]

Jesus would probably lay his hands on her and say “burp no more and be at peace.”

This is one of the funniest posts I have ever read here so thanks for the laugh. But kidding aside, I do realize this is a serious issue and people do suffer from such an illness.

I would speak to the music director or someone who could have a private word with sensitivity. People who do burp excessively do so to release gas (obviously) and to ease the pain and get some relief. Often times they can control it, though for extended periods it becomes difficult. She likely is not even aware that it’s disruptive. But if it’s a problem it really needs to be addressed.

 

[OsculeturMeOsculo]

I think my singing is superior and I haven’t took any lesson. Only a few people had to go to the hospital last time.

 

[OsculeturMeOsculo]

I feel glad that I can read the sheet music to play the song on my keyboard. I like Oracion from the movie with Palkia and Dialga better though.

 

[Dlee]

We had a parishioner a few weeks ago who (truly medical problem) passed gas throughout Mass. He even left at one time. Guess I got used to it and didn’t bother me (I silently prayed for him and focused on Christ.) Others sitting around him seemed okay. Tonight he was one of the readers, no issues. I don’t know how this helps OPs situation, other than to say sometimes you get used to certain distractions.

 

[Lara]

I’ve had burping attacks at Mass which usually start because of the angle of the pew being too straight. I sometimes have to roll up my coat and put it behind the small of my back. Perhaps, if you gave her a pillow, she might get a better sitting angle.

The other problem is nerves. There may be nerves around it, and her bowel is going into spasm. I’d offer her a peppermint at the time, and ask her if she needs some more help after Mass.

 

[MrsAngelala]

@Pup7, I’ve failed in gentleness. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.

 

[OraLabora]

Should she be in the choir?

The first thing to ask in response to that question is: can she sing? Assuming she can, we can work on the problem.

If you suspect it’s a breathing issue (for the record I sing in a Gregorian schola and breathing, especially its timing, is very important), then perhaps an elegant way to verify this without discussing personal issues, is to schedule a session on breathing for the entire choir. Perhaps prefacing it with “I’ve noticed that some of us could use some more work in this area, so we’re having a session on breathing exercises next Saturday morning at 10 am…”. Then you can see if this helps.

If it’s personal health issue, then I suspect singing in the choir might be therapy for her and one must treat this as delicately as humanly possible. If she can sing, then offer it up and find a way to minimize the problem like switching off the mike between hymns as already mentioned.

Let’s face it in any community, and a church choir is most certainly a community, there will always be someone that irritates, deranges, annoys. And if there isn’t, then it is probably myself that is irritating, deranging, annoying. As the Rule of Saint Benedict makes clear, we must learn to bear with one another, otherwise we no longer have a community, but a self-referential exclusive club.

 

[TheLittleLady]

The Choirmaster is happy to have people in the choir, including you and this lady. Pray for her, how uncomfortable this medical condition must make her life, and how people must treat her. Let the Church be her oasis from pointy fingers and wagging eyes.