catholic communion at home

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HDLSeanWileyTin

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that’s called Communion of the Sick, right? see, I’m autistic, and all my life, I’ve not only been forced to go, I don’t get any accommodations because I look too “fine” to have any. I’m forced to sit still and concentrate, and the cry room wouldn’t be much better because 1. I’m not a baby and 2. If a baby cries, that could shoot my sensory levels up even more. Plus, I have to wear longer clothes in hot weather, and that can make me more uncomfortable because I’m forced. Don’t my sensory issues count as being a requirement of the Church to stay home from Mass?
 
Talk with your priest. I am sure that something can be worked out.
 
one priest i was with one time in lourdes was the most understanding of all the priests i’ve ever met. unlike some of the other catholics in lourdes who simply said that i should “carry my cross”, i said they were a problem for me, and he actually said that if those sensory issues are an issue for me, then maybe i should try to stay home because the church teaches there are certain circumstances whereby you shouldn’t go to mass. he understood me a lot because he had a disability. i also told him i didn’t wanna skip mass just because i wanted to. i wouldn’t skip a church service if i didn’t wanna go. i know my sensory problems keep me from doing things sometimes, and some catholics like those that said i should “carry my cross” need to realize that i already AM carrying my cross, the sensory issues. this is a cross i can’t put down.
 
HDLSeanWileyTin said:
one priest i was with one time in lourdes was the most understanding of all the priests i’ve ever met. unlike some of the other catholics in lourdes who simply said that i should “carry my cross”, i said they were a problem for me, and he actually said that if those sensory issues are an issue for me, then maybe i should try to stay home because the church teaches there are certain circumstances whereby you shouldn’t go to mass. he understood me a lot because he had a disability. i also told him i didn’t wanna skip mass just because i wanted to. i wouldn’t skip a church service if i didn’t wanna go. i know my sensory problems keep me from doing things sometimes, and some catholics like those that said i should “carry my cross” need to realize that i already AM carrying my cross, the sensory issues. this is a cross i can’t put down.
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As was stated prior – talk to your parish priest – about your situation.
 
HDLSeanWileyTin said:
one priest i was with one time in lourdes was the most understanding of all the priests i’ve ever met. unlike some of the other catholics in lourdes who simply said that i should “carry my cross”, i said they were a problem for me, and he actually said that if those sensory issues are an issue for me, then maybe i should try to stay home because the church teaches there are certain circumstances whereby you shouldn’t go to mass. he understood me a lot because he had a disability. i also told him i didn’t wanna skip mass just because i wanted to. i wouldn’t skip a church service if i didn’t wanna go. i know my sensory problems keep me from doing things sometimes, and some catholics like those that said i should “carry my cross” need to realize that i already AM carrying my cross, the sensory issues. this is a cross i can’t put down.
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We all have crosses to carry - some temporary, some permanent. Yes, you are already carrying your cross, as you say, you can;t put it down. At the same time, by wanting to not go to Mass because they seem to be greater at that time, aren’t you trying to escape from them? Try to unite them to the very real cross that Jesus carried and on which He died for us. For you. Even if you cannot find yourself able to do this every Sunday, try to do it at least some of the time. You will be uniting yourself to our Holy Savior. This will bring you abundant blessings. The more a cross is a problem for us, the more blessings carrying it will bring to our souls.
 
Yes, talk to your priest. I don’t know if you can be excused or not.

I understand sensory issues. I suffer terribly when a baby cries, when some people talk (high pitched etc). I try to avoid Masses with babies, children and music. I can’t listen to any music. I manage to cope realizing it is only 45 minutes a week.

At work I’ve given permission to wear earplugs. I need them because co- workers play the radio nonstop. So far, no doctors have able to help. I understand your torment. God bless you. Praying for you.
 
i’m not trying to escape the mass. sensory issues count as a sickness. how can you go to mass sick?
 
Talk to the priest. Sometimes it is hard for people without sensory issues to understand the problem. I am not autistic but I am very sensitive to sounds. I hear sirens when the dogs do before anyone else can. If I walk into a room that is playing loud music I can feel it in my whole body. It can be very stressful to be in a noisy environment, especially if you are the only one that thinks it is noisy.
 
HDLSean,

Have you explored different churches in your area? I only ask because we recently found a missionary parish with a large Portuguese population that also offers English Mass twice on Sundays. The English Masses are practically empty and there’s a cry room that is also almost always completely empty (and with it’s own thermostat to boot!). You may have some success finding a parish that allows you more space and is less aggravating. We have found this parish to be very helpful when trying to attend with two young children.
 
Definitely talk to your parish priest. He will be able to help i am sure.

If you ‘Have’ to attend then you must accept that hour as a living cross for God! Offer up your suffering to God for all the poor souls who suffer like you, for those in hospital or for those in Purgatory.

As you enter the church tell God that you love him and ‘want’ to be there and are offering up your sufferings during mass for the love of God and those that you pray for.

God bless you
 
HDLSeanWileyTin said:
one priest i was with one time in lourdes was the most understanding of all the priests i’ve ever met. unlike some of the other catholics in lourdes who simply said that i should “carry my cross”, i said they were a problem for me, and he actually said that if those sensory issues are an issue for me, then maybe i should try to stay home because the church teaches there are certain circumstances whereby you shouldn’t go to mass. he understood me a lot because he had a disability. i also told him i didn’t wanna skip mass just because i wanted to. i wouldn’t skip a church service if i didn’t wanna go. i know my sensory problems keep me from doing things sometimes, and some catholics like those that said i should “carry my cross” need to realize that i already AM carrying my cross, the sensory issues. this is a cross i can’t put down.
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I understand where you are coming from. I have fibromyalgia which also has sensory sensitivity among other issues (chronic pain, insominia or hyposominia, nerve issues, memory deteriation ect) and some days I know I have to say no to many things just because it gets way to overwhelming and I then get sick. You can only carry your cross so far then fall. Even Jesus had help carring his physical (item) cross.
 
My 2 autistic nephews can’t go to church every Sunday. Why would God be upset for this? When one of them does go he always wears sound reduction headphones. Do those help you at all? If you need to stay home some Sundays have you tried watching a televised mass? If you can’t stand noise maybe you could at least watch it on mute?
 
Also is the social aspect of mass a big issue for you? It is for me. I’m not autistic but have severe OCD and people make me nervous and self conscious, especially when they stare at me for wringing my hands or swaying or rocking. Its a very hard cross to carry. I certainly don’t attend big masses. I go to the early or late mass. Much less crowded and much quieter.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
My 2 autistic nephews can’t go to church every Sunday. Why would God be upset for this? When one of them does go he always wears sound reduction headphones. Do those help you at all? If you need to stay home some Sundays have you tried watching a televised mass? If you can’t stand noise maybe you could at least watch it on mute?
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Also certain materials may be more calming than others… or even colors. I like the headphone idea… .you could also try foam ear plus that are fairly cheap too. and not so noticeable if you are concerned about others bothering you about it.
 
Honor your sensitivity. Don’t make yourself do things that are difficult. As much as possible, choose situations that suit your temperament. Highly sensitive people need more time than others to process the events of the day, so don’t overload yourself by going out in the evening.
Code: 
Step back. Allow yourself your emotional reaction to a situation, but accept that there are other possibilities. Calm down, analyze the situation, and rethink it; pause for reflection. 

Block it out. To avoid sensory overload and anxiety, always have earplugs and a headset with you to block out noise. 

Tone it down. If crowds and noise are problems, find venues that are quieter and less populated -- a smaller grocery store instead of a major chain, for example, or a small doctor’s office located in a home instead of a large group practice at a hospital. 

Reduce extraneous stimulation by saying no to things you don’t have to do or that you just don’t want to do. 

Make sure you’ve had enough sleep, or take a nap, before facing a situation that will be highly stimulating. 

Meditate, pray, or use another relaxation method to strengthen your ability to cope with day-to-day challenges. [additudemag.com/adhd/article/8945-4.html](http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/8945-4.html)
 
i’d like to try televised mass, although i may go episcopal since they’re very much catholic and open to transubstantiation.
 
HDLSeanWileyTin said:
i’d like to try televised mass, although i may go episcopal since they’re very much catholic and open to transubstantiation.
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Have you thought about going anyway and just leave early if you happen to be too over whelmed? at least you went and tryed every sunday. esp while taking online suggested tactics to manage your sensory sensitivity such as headphones or ear plugs. This is something I would pray about before not going at all.

(if you have not already.)
 
but sensory issues do count as a “sickness”, and according to the church, you shouldn’t go if you’re sick.
 
HDLSeanWileyTin said:
but sensory issues do count as a “sickness”, and according to the church, you shouldn’t go if you’re sick.
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This is not strictly true. If you have cancer, for example, and feel well enough to go out and about, you would benefit a lot from Mass and are still expected to go. Usually when it’s said, “If you’re sick, then stay home” the speaker means “if you have a communicable/infectious disease that you could transmit” or else “if you don’t feel well enough to leave the house,” then you should stay home.
 
mass makes me very sensitive. can’t you see that TheSeeker2014 is trying to defend me and that maybe he’s right?
 
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