Conversation in the sacristy prior to Mass

[gez722]

As an EMHC and a lector, I need to be in the sacristy prior to Mass. The priest or the deacon will lead us in prayer and we will then perform our duties during the Mass. One thing that I noticed is there is a lot of talking before the Mass and none of it ever pertains to the great sacrifice that we are about to participate in. The priests, deacons, altar servers, cantors, EMHCs are all joking around and talking about everything except the Mass. Maybe I’m being overly scrupulous, but shouldn’t we be preparing for the greatest sacrifice that could be offered to the Father? At least we say a prayer together before Mass, but there seems to a general lack of reverence in the room.

I looked at the GIRM and it commends silence before Mass…

45. Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

I’m curious to hear what happens in other parishes. Am I being unrealistic? Maybe so, but I can’t picture the priests at EWTN talking about raking leaves while they are vesting for Mass.

God Bless,
Gary

 

[puzzleannie]

my husband and brothers recall the same thing from their days as altar boys, long long ago, pre V2, and to this day the joking, horseplay and talking in the sacristy before and after Mass gave them a somewhat jaded view of some priests. The priests who did not tolerate such behavior were notable in their eyes and still remembered as holy men and great models.

 

[KnightforChrist]

As an EMHC and a lector, I need to be in the sacristy prior to Mass. The priest or the deacon will lead us in prayer and we will then perform our duties during the Mass. One thing that I noticed is there is a lot of talking before the Mass and none of it ever pertains to the great sacrifice that we are about to participate in. The priests, deacons, altar servers, cantors, EMHCs are all joking around and talking about everything except the Mass. Maybe I’m being overly scrupulous, but shouldn’t we be preparing for the greatest sacrifice that could be offered to the Father? At least we say a prayer together before Mass, but there seems to a general lack of reverence in the room.

I looked at the GIRM and it commends silence before Mass…

45. Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

I’m curious to hear what happens in other parishes. Am I being unrealistic? Maybe so, but I can’t picture the priests at EWTN talking about raking leaves while they are vesting for Mass.

God Bless,
Gary

At my parish, there is some talking before the procession into the church…I catch myself doing this before church and sometimes talking when walking out of church after the mass has ended…

You are correct in the reasoning that we should show more reverence, especially inside the church…

I’m going to work harder on this myself !!!

See your thread has already helped reinforce this for someone !!! Thank you!!

 

[decn2b]

Why do the lectors and EMHC even have to be in the Sacristy in the first place?

 

[gez722]

Why do the lectors and EMHC even have to be in the Sacristy in the first place?

Mainly so that the priest or deacon can lead them in a prayer before they perform their duties at Mass. Our pastor’s intentions are good, but it is starting to turn into somewhat of a circus back there. Yesterday’s conversations revolved around raking leaves and soccer tournaments!

God Bless,
Gary

 

[gez722]

I’m going to work harder on this myself !!! See your thread has already helped reinforce this for someone !!! Thank you!!

Thanks for the encouragement… I struggle with lack of reverence all of the time and that’s why I’m trying to concentrate on it.

I’m going through a bit of a tough time right now as I am involved in several ministries and I’m noticing a real lack of reverence for Our Lord. Unfortunately, when you start pointing out these things you look like some kind of a nut (not to mention the fact that nobody wants to listen to me because I’m not a priest or a deacon)!

I often wonder if I’m being too scrupulous, but then I pray about it and I remember that this is Jesus we are talking about … so who cares what people think!

To think that my comments may have helped somebody attempt to become more reverent at Mass is very comforting to me at this time. Thanks for sharing!

God Bless,
Gary

 

[decn2b]

Mainly so that the priest or deacon can lead them in a prayer before they perform their duties at Mass.
God Bless,
Gary

Everybody in the building has a “duty” at mass…that is why we have an opening prayer. Ya know it seems like everywhere you look we have EMHCs and readers being treated like extra special super duper mini-priests. It drives me bonkers. If you indeed do have actual “lectors” then I have no problem with them being in the sacristy since they are actually insitituted into the minor orders of the priesthood but it seems like the line between the Ordained and laity has been blurred so badly it is alomost un-recognizable. The Sacristy is actually a place where the priest vest and Altar Boys dress. When I was a young man the priest actually prayed vesting prayers aloud as he vested. The altar boys had a prayer they said as well. NO ONE else was there with the exception of an adult sacristan who helped.

 

[netmilsmom]

my husband and brothers recall the same thing from their days as altar boys, long long ago, pre V2, and to this day the joking, horseplay and talking in the sacristy before and after Mass gave them a somewhat jaded view of some priests. The priests who did not tolerate such behavior were notable in their eyes and still remembered as holy men and great models.

You must have missed this by the OP…
“The priests, deacons, altar servers, cantors, EMHCs are all joking around and talking about everything except the Mass”

This is looking like everyone. Not just the priest who considered himself a pal.

That is a shame.

 

[Digitonomy]

Mainly so that the priest or deacon can lead them in a prayer before they perform their duties at Mass.

The GIRM quote says quiet is commendable rather than required. Nonetheless, this suggestion seems to be met with the prayer you mention, unless conversation immediately returns to raking leaves between the prayer and the start of mass.

When I have assisted in the sacristy, there is a small amount of small talk in the hour or so prior to mass. As the mass approached, this would wind down until the pre-mass prayer led by the priest, after which there was silence except for that talk necessary for those involved to perform their roles.

Would it be better for there to be silence in the sacristy for an hour, or two, or three, before the mass? Perhaps, but I don’t see any deficiency by the existence of a little bit of small talk until about 5 minutes before the mass begins.

 

[bluehen]

Why do the lectors and EMHC even have to be in the Sacristy in the first place?

For me, as a cantor, there are a few reasons.

1. At our church, cantors basically enter from the sacristy behind the altar.
2. There is a closet to store umbrellas, jackets, etc. Having those under my chair would not be particularly dignified.
3. Any modifications or special events will be discussed. Since I know this forum well and since people will immediately jump on the word “modifications”- these might include a spoken Gloria instead of a sung Gloria; a baptism; a second collection… anything that might impact when songs will occur.

Yes, pleasantries and small-talk will often be part of this conversation as well. The idea of brief hospitable fellowship does not offend me.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I read and on Sundays we meet near the baptismal fount which is in the Narthex and it’s sealed off from the rest of the church with plexiglass and serves as a crying room to pray.For me this is a last chance to confirm the pronunciation of a name or to find out when the priest wants us to go up to the Ambo for the Intro. The ONLY times that I have gone into the sacristy is to confirm the readings as sometimes the sacristans have gotten it wrong or the reading is just way off, or the lectionary is not on the ambo or the priest decided we would celebrate a particular day.

We never discuss sports weather etc prior or after prayer.

 

[jpjd]

We used to have everyone in the sacristy too. Then the priest changed it so that only the servers, sacristan, and the priest stay in the sacristy. The lectors and EMHCs come in long enough to “check in” with the sacristan. Then the EMHCs and lectors leave to go sit in their pews, except for the lector who carries in the book of the Gospel…he or she waits in the back of the church. Then the priest and servers come out right before Mass and go to the back of the church, where they and the lector process in. It works out very nicely.