Constant Routine During Mass

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curtishouse29

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Hello everybody,

I am pretty much in the middle between Protestant and Catholic. I used to attend many different Protestant churches from a church of Christ to non-denominational as well as Baptist from time to time but I started thinking about the Catholic faith more and more once I received this Catholic Bible in the mail one time. I started reading as much as I could and the writings of the Early Church Fathers put it over the top for me and I knew that the Catholic church was the genuine article.

I have attended Mass in the past quite a few times and I love the feeling there but some things that I can’t get past is the repetitive nature or routine during Mass. I completely understand why it must all happen the same way during the Eucharist because of the Real Presence of Christ but just saying the same prayers week after week and standing up and sitting down I don’t know how many times just got to me after a while.

I am really not trying to offend anybody at all but it’s almost like it’s just going through the motions and just memorizing certain prayers more than anything else. I don’t know about you but that really hasn’t helped me to grow spiritually; it has only helped me to memorize prayers more effectively.

So I guess you could say I am at a crossroads. I know that from what the Early Church Fathers taught which were taught by the Apostles themselves is what the RCC teaches but something just deep in my soul says that the constant routine during Mass is wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

Curtis
 
Well, all I can say is that I like the routine. And there’s enough variety in the prayers and hymns (not to mention the scripture readings) to keep the Mass fresh. I would hate to have an all new routine every time I went to Mass.
 
Meditate the best you can on the meaning of every part of the Mass.

When the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins I like to meditate on the many angels that are invisibly present and worshiping with awe at the Mass.

I listen to every word of the priest and sometimes imagine I am back there when our Lord was crucified, buried, and then rose from the dead.

When the priest holds up the consecrated host I picture Him in His glorified, risen body with a great desire to give me many graces and blessings as I am open to receive.

It is an act of faith to be at Mass and think on these mysteries.
It is all seen with the eyes of faith.
 
Biblioassistant said:
Well, all I can say is that I like the routine. And there’s enough variety in the prayers and hymns (not to mention the scripture readings) to keep the Mass fresh. I would hate to have an all new routine every time I went to Mass.
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I agree 100%. I find great comfort in the “routine” - it’s also comforting to me to know that as Catholics, we are all doing the same thing - the body of Christ is united, (I probably didn’t word that the right way, but I hope you know what I mean,)

Maybe you (the OP) should speak with a priest or a spiritual advisor who can explain the different parts of the Mass and why we are called to do the things (standing, kneeling, why we say certain prayers at a certain time, etc).

Welcome Home!
 
Welcome! Please ask the director of adult faith formation for a good resource that will explain the order of the Mass to you. Sometimes you can find a priest who will “teach” the Mass during a liturgy and this is extremely interesting!

The Mass is actually quite beautiful and becomes more so once you understand what is taking place. Also, if the parish offers RCIA you should check it out. Attending RCIA doesn’t mean you are going to convert. It is an inquiry where you can spend as many years as you wish learning about the church. You are right, it is rich and loaded–the real deal. Enjoy learning about the Mass, we do not spectate, we concelebrate and the more actively we participate, the more powerful the liturgy.

Again, welcome! The church grows stronger with individuals like yourself!
 
I agree with what the others have mentioned, learn about why we do all the different things in Mass. The more I have learned about it, the more powerful it becomes! It becomes more exciting every week instead of less. :extrahappy: 😃 I really like the book called On being Catholic by Thomas Howard. The whole book is good, but it has a WONDERFUL description of the Mass. Howard is also a convert from a conservative evangelical background, so you will probably be able to identify with that also.

I also think tradition gets a bad reputation sometimes. I mean how many of us eat turkey every single year at Thanksgiving? Why doesn’t that get boring? Because it is part of our family tradition, our heritage. Mass is the same way, but our family is SOO much bigger! 😃 As we celebrate Mass and pray the different prayers, we are doing so with Christians from the first couple of centuries. We are praying them with people on the other side of the world. There is this amazing connection to all of these different people! It is amazing! :extrahappy: 😃
 
Actually I can understand what you say, especially coming from a protestant background. Many have already addressed the issue of the repetition. The only thing I can add is that while yes the mass is repetitious, there are a number of other ways to become involved in group activities and oportunities for spiritual growth. Many parishes have bible studies and other activities to help your spiritual growth.
In addition, serious catholics will try to develop a strong personal meditative and prayer life. One of the aspects I love about the church is the idea of a very personal, daily devotion toward God. Morning and evening prayers, opportunities for eucharistic adoration, stations of the cross, benediction, rosary, litanies, chaplets, Mass, and more are all oportunities for private and public devotion. Some very structured and others very personal. All deeply rewarding.

I hope this is of some help

Peace
James
 
Little_Mary said:
Read The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn
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I’m sorry I did not have time to elaborate too much before, but this book explains the Mass in a very meaningful way. It is relatively short, and a good read. I hope you’ll take the time to read it. Maybe if all the different parts of the Mass had meaning, the “routine” feeling will go away. 🙂
 
The Mass may follow the same basic process each time it is performed but that doesn’t mean it’s not meant to be said from the heart. Each Mass I attend I concentrate on the words said by the priest as well as my own responses in tandem with the participating congregation. I try to respond from the heart and not just mindlessly mouthing formulas that I’ve memorized.
 
Hello! 🙂

Liturgical worship can be very different to someone who is unfamiliar with it. Many protestant churches have similar worship. I would suggest you get as many books on the Mass that you can. Your local public library may very well have some. You received other recommendations and I would like to suggest Living the Mass: How one hour a week can change your life. What I like about the book is it takes the Mass and breaks it into small parts, explaining them in simplest of terms, and helps you to relate each section to your own faith life and what you can take home with you from the message shared at Mass.

Do not despair. You are on the right track 👍.

Peace and His love,

Kelly
 
Little_Mary said:
I’m sorry I did not have time to elaborate too much before, but this book explains the Mass in a very meaningful way. It is relatively short, and a good read. I hope you’ll take the time to read it. Maybe if all the different parts of the Mass had meaning, the “routine” feeling will go away. 🙂
Click to expand...
I second what Little Mary suggested, not only for OP, but for all who have not read Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper, Mass as Heaven On Earth”.

Going to Mass will never be the same after reading this book.
It is a must read.

Scott Hahn used to be a Protestant minister who is very familiar with Bible, and originally went to Mass with the purpose of finding fault with. But as soon as Mass starts, he felt the Bible
became alive in front of his eyes. Every details of Mass are recorded in the Book of Revelation as the form of worship in heaven. Scott could not help go back to Mass again and agian and again, finally was converted to Catholic.

You will be so excited about Mass after reading this book. When you find the meaning of each part of the “routine”, the “routine” will never be a routine. Every part of the Mass is meaningful and exciting. You cannot wait to get to Mass.
 
Little_Mary said:
Read The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn
Click to expand...
Thank you for the book recommendation…I already read “Rome Sweet Home” and loved it. I will definitely check it out either at the library or buy it if not readily available. I love his writing style.
 
MSParrott said:
I agree 100%. I find great comfort in the “routine” - it’s also comforting to me to know that as Catholics, we are all doing the same thing - the body of Christ is united, (I probably didn’t word that the right way, but I hope you know what I mean,)

Maybe you (the OP) should speak with a priest or a spiritual advisor who can explain the different parts of the Mass and why we are called to do the things (standing, kneeling, why we say certain prayers at a certain time, etc).

Welcome Home!
Click to expand...
I think it just might be the equivalent of culture shock to me…I have went to Protestant churches for the longest time and then to switch and start going to a Catholic church is quite a difference. I actually love how you know that all Catholics worldwide are worshipping the same way and are all united as one as the Lord commanded us to. But, in the same token, that is what is giving me that uneasy feeling…Everybody doing the same thing…I call it a routine and hopefully that doesnt offend anybody…I guess when it comes down to it, its just something different and I’m pretty sure that anybody who is a convert has had the same feelings. I will definitely be praying about it and also reading the books that you all recommended. Thanks again. God bless.

Curtis
 
Suester said:
Welcome! Please ask the director of adult faith formation for a good resource that will explain the order of the Mass to you. Sometimes you can find a priest who will “teach” the Mass during a liturgy and this is extremely interesting!

The Mass is actually quite beautiful and becomes more so once you understand what is taking place. Also, if the parish offers RCIA you should check it out. Attending RCIA doesn’t mean you are going to convert. It is an inquiry where you can spend as many years as you wish learning about the church. You are right, it is rich and loaded–the real deal. Enjoy learning about the Mass, we do not spectate, we concelebrate and the more actively we participate, the more powerful the liturgy.

Again, welcome! The church grows stronger with individuals like yourself!
Click to expand...
I actually started attending RCIA back in October but got called back to work and since I work nights, I couldn’t make the classes. Even though, honestly, if I really tried my hardest, I am sure I could have made some arrangements with the coordinator. Thinking I could have become a full-fledged Catholic in a little over a month now if I would have just tried a little harder does get to me but that is not the subject at hand. I can always try next September and attend Mass and continue to learn more and more about the faith as I can. Thanks for the response. God bless.

Curtis
 
kell0618 said:
Hello! 🙂

Liturgical worship can be very different to someone who is unfamiliar with it. Many protestant churches have similar worship. I would suggest you get as many books on the Mass that you can. Your local public library may very well have some. You received other recommendations and I would like to suggest Living the Mass: How one hour a week can change your life. What I like about the book is it takes the Mass and breaks it into small parts, explaining them in simplest of terms, and helps you to relate each section to your own faith life and what you can take home with you from the message shared at Mass.

Do not despair. You are on the right track 👍.

Peace and His love,

Kelly
Click to expand...
I will check out that book as well. Thanks for the book recommendation. It looks like an excellent book from what I’ve seen of it on Amazon. God bless.

Curtis
 
Try to remember that your mind, your heart - your soul - are centering on Jesus about to be sacrificed at Calvary. The standing and sitting - and hopefully kneeling, depending on the Church you are attending - are not what you are to be thinking / centering on. It’s Our Lord - present at the altar. Follow your missal, the weekly readings - and ask God for help in assisting you to assist at Mass. He is there waiting for you to ask. (and say a prayer for me, please.)
 
🙂 hi curtishouse29 i have been attending mass every sunday for the past 3.5 years in this time i may have missed maybe 4 sundays not by my own fault.if i get a chance i even go on weekdays which is not very often though. i have yet to feel the mass is the same old thing every time or even some of the time. every mass is new to me.we worship at mass with our whole bodies in our actions of sitting standing. try paying attention to what is happening in the mass when you standing. that may help understand why you are standing at this time.
 
👍
InLight247 said:
I second what Little Mary suggested, not only for OP, but for all who have not read Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper, Mass as Heaven On Earth”.

Going to Mass will never be the same after reading this book.
It is a must read.

Scott Hahn used to be a Protestant minister who is very familiar with Bible, and originally went to Mass with the purpose of finding fault with. But as soon as Mass starts, he felt the Bible
became alive in front of his eyes. Every details of Mass are recorded in the Book of Revelation as the form of worship in heaven. Scott could not help go back to Mass again and agian and again, finally was converted to Catholic.

You will be so excited about Mass after reading this book. When you find the meaning of each part of the “routine”, the “routine” will never be a routine. Every part of the Mass is meaningful and exciting. You cannot wait to get to Mass.
Click to expand...
👍
 
curtishouse29 said:
Thank you for the book recommendation…I already read “Rome Sweet Home” and loved it. I will definitely check it out either at the library or buy it if not readily available. I love his writing style.
Click to expand...
Yay! It’s a really good book. 👍 🙂
 
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