Do you ever cry during mass?

[Snerticus]

I cry during mass quite often. In fact, sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me. I can’t identify any specific cause, I am just overwhelmed with the need to cry.

Sometimes it’s very subtle and I can “hide” it from those around me; other times, it’s outright sobbing. I agree, mass ought to be a “safe zone” in which to cry or otherwise react as our souls require.

I’ll be confirmed into the Church next Saturday at the Easter Vigil. I’m planning to be complete sobbing mess during the entire service. My class is used to my emotions by now, since the three Scrutinies were overwhelming to me.

I always thought there was something wrong with me. Ever since I returned to the Church, I cry all the time at mass! I usually don’t bring attention to it myself, but sometimes, yes, I sob and need to pull out a tissue. I have heard it was called the “gift of tears” and if so, I’m honored to have been chosen for it. But it can be rather embarrassing at times.

I know some people don’t understand. My mom was telling me once how this lady at her parish cries all the time and she thinks it’s silly. So I usually don’t tell many people about it.

 

[Galnextdoor]

Wow! And I thought I was the only one who this happened to. It’s so embarrassing. I was all teared up at mass. I’ve always felt unworthy to be a servant of God. I think of every sin I commit as a thorn digging into Jesus’ head or a lash across His back. I think of venial sins as the splinters from the cross pricking His skin. When I was a child and I heard people participating in the Palm Sunday readings, I wanted to scream at people to stop. One image that made me want to be like Jesus when I was little, was His placing the ear back on the man in the Garden of Gesemane. I realized His forgiveness was unlimited if only we would ask. I often wondered why Jesus would allow someone as imperfect as me to adore Him and receive Him into my soul. He has all those angels up there who are adoring so perfectly, why would he still be pleased with my imperfect struggles to adore Him? The only thing that comes to my mind is that when my children were small, I encouraged them to struggle to learn new things. I was right there to help them when they were about to give up. I picture Jesus reaching down to me to make up for what I lack, and accepting the best I can do.

 

[Sina]

Oh yes!!! I cried this morning too. I was so moved… by Jesus… and reading how children held palms… oh it was hard to hide it from DH!

 

[Sina]

We lost our daughter in 2003 and I still sometimes cry at mass. I just get overwhelmed with saddness and the tears just come. I don’t try to stop it. And I don’t care if anybody is watching. I think church should be a “safe” place to cry and let yourself feel your feelings.:angel1:

I am so sorry you lost your daughter. Cry all you want! I am glad you let yourself. Church is a place of release and we are so close to God there.

 

[Alkrod]

I cry sometimes, especially during prayer. I also cry on Good Friday, usually because the older ladies in the church cry and I can’t help but join them during such a sorrowful time. So no worries!! Besides it is better to let it out so God may comfort you

 

[Sunflower15]

I’ve had tears roll down my face, particularly at consecration…and without fail, I know that if I can’t have communion [because I didn’t go to confession] at the moments when the bells ring [during consecration] that I will feel like my heart is being torn to pieces! and a sobbing cry comes from the deepest part of me…right from my chest…and out of devastating sadness…

However, when I can go to communion, I feel very emotional [normally I’m more mental, to the point that people often tell me I’m too “cold” at points] and feel an inclination to crying of joy and thankfulness.

Once, at the Adoration Chapel something strange happen to me. I know this is not during Mass, but wanted to share it since it relates to the Eucharist.

The lady who monitors the flowers in front of the Blessed Sacrament, came in and walked right in front of the monstrance, checked the flowers, took some vases that needed replacing, brought new ones, back & forth several times, withOUT EVER acknowledging where she was or WHO she was in front of!

She wasn’t specifically sacrilegious or anything, just absolutely non-reverent. Not even the slightest nod or bow of the head as a greeting. I don’t understand why that had the effect that it had in me, but I wept for half an hour! Since it isn’t uncommon to weep at the chapel, no one even looked my way…thankfully!

My heart was broken! I kept telling Him I loved Him and that the lady didn’t really mean it, she just wasn’t thinking…etc. I felt SO miserably!
And, then I thought, how many times I may have been just as “busy, uncaring” as her…and that made me weep even more!

I also pray the Rosary when in the car…or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

JohnPaul – how wonderful that you are considering becoming a brother! I met some Franciscan brothers once, and the sheer joy on their faces was pretty unforgettable!

 

[tierney]

I am so glad to finally read about an experience I had which is awkward to bring up to most people …the ecstasy feeling during prayer. I was going through a very dry spell where I just wasn’t feeling God’s presence for a week or so and one day I was reading about the Holy Spirit and suddenly had the overwhelming feeling that could be described as ecstasy. It has not happened again and I can’t say the dry spell is totally gone but I didn’t really know what to make of it and was embarassed to ask anyone. What do you think of an experience like that…is it the Holy Spirit or is just the intense yearning that comes sometimes when you so what to feel God’s presence?
Did things change for you right away and has it happened again to you?

Also, yes, I do get moved to tears almost at every mass. It isn’t always the gospel…sometimes it is just a real feeling of peace about a problem I am having or a phrase or part of scripture that speaks to me and I am so grateful God is trying to help me. I wonder what people think about it, but figure if they are judging me harshly, that isn’t very Christian so I shouldn’t care about their opinion!

 

[Pani_Rose]

I don’t think I’m priest material…I was thinking about being a brother. This may not happen though I’m 45 and settled in life but the thought does cross my mind a lot.

There are a lot of late vocations. If it crosses your mind, don’t be silent. Talk the vocations director for your diocese.

 

[Snerticus]

I am so glad to finally read about an experience I had which is awkward to bring up to most people …the ecstasy feeling during prayer. I was going through a very dry spell where I just wasn’t feeling God’s presence for a week or so and one day I was reading about the Holy Spirit and suddenly had the overwhelming feeling that could be described as ecstasy. It has not happened again and I can’t say the dry spell is totally gone but I didn’t really know what to make of it and was embarassed to ask anyone. What do you think of an experience like that…is it the Holy Spirit or is just the intense yearning that comes sometimes when you so what to feel God’s presence?
Did things change for you right away and has it happened again to you?

Also, yes, I do get moved to tears almost at every mass. It isn’t always the gospel…sometimes it is just a real feeling of peace about a problem I am having or a phrase or part of scripture that speaks to me and I am so grateful God is trying to help me. I wonder what people think about it, but figure if they are judging me harshly, that isn’t very Christian so I shouldn’t care about their opinion!

I can’t be certain, as I have never had an ecstacy before, but it was spiritual, and I get spiritual “feelings” like that all the time. They don’t last long, but a few seconds or so, and you feel like you never want them to stop. I think ecstacies only happen to very holy people engrossed in unitive prayer. But, I 'm no expert on the subject, and God certainly can choose who He wants to have an ecstacy. Keep praying.

I recently - 2 weeks ago while driving to church - had a similar feeling. I was looking at a tree while at a stop sign and I had this overwhelming feeling of longing to be with God, and as if God was in the tree itself or the wind blowing around that tree. It kind of reminded me of Moses and the burning bush, although it didn’t have too many similarities other than it was a tree. That feeling lasted less than 10 seconds and of course I had to pull into traffic and go to church. I wanted to remain in that moment forever. Or more precisely, I wanted to get out of my car while remaining in that moment and go over to where God was. It was such an intense pull! Of course, because I had to continue on to Church and go to Mass, where of course, Jesus is truly present, I pulled back into traffic and went on my way. But that feeling was just awesome!

 

[selah603]

Absolutely yes!!!

And I can never go to Reconcilation withoug crying… every single time! The presence of Jesus is so overwhelming!

Peace

Pam

 

[RainDown]

I wish I could cry at mass. The closest I ever came to it was when I was a server at my grandmother’s funeral. I held it back, but after mass I just let it happen. The funeral was pretty sad. Even an unrelated girl serving with me cried! Anyway, I’m not sure this counts since I cried for my grandmother and not for Jesus… I really hope that I can someday experience an ecstasy. I’m pretty dry right now. I was having atheistic thoughts today (over it now, but sure to happen again for short periods), even though I was having those scalp-tingling sensations at mass (does anyone know what I’m talking about?)

 

[mvorines]

Yes, almost every Sunday since last year. Receiving Him in the Eucharist is very overwhelming. I always feel unworthy. I always pray that I will be able to love Him more because He deserved to be loved, He deserves all my love, my whole being. Every Communion I feel the depth of His Love and Mercy (though not in the fullest sense) and this feeling just makes me cry. I’m always asking for forgiveness for those who are not asking for it, because I know He loves everyone and there is a place for each one of us in His Sacred Heart. I’m always asking for forgiveness for the cold hearts that receive Him, for all the ingratitude, and indifference. He is the Prisoner of Love. He is the Beggar of Love. How could we be so ungrateful for the God of Love Who humbles Himself and offers Himself every single day to nourish and to be with the souls He loves the most? I am begging God to make my heart burn for the love of Him so that I will be able to love Him the way He should be loved.

 

[rlg94086]

I teared up today during the Gospel and Consecration…not all out crying though. It has happened before. Sometimes I cry tears of joy (thankfulness that Jesus gave His life for me), sometimes tears of sadness (when I have been in a state of mortal sin, unable to receive). I’ve also cried during Reconciliation for the sins I have committed.

The most I cried though was one time during Adoration. I was signed up for my usual hour from Midnight to 1AM. I had an overwhelming feeling of Jesus’ love for me. It was the first (and most powerful) time that I felt that Jesus actually wanted my company. I don’t know how else to describe it…I felt His love for me. I cried…and then I lay prostrate in prayer…and then I sang hymns. The next two adorers didn’t show that night (thank the Lord!), so I spent three hours crying, singing and adoring Our Lord. I wish it happened every time I was in His presence, but it might be a little awkward.

Not very manly…I know. Don’t tell anyone…it’s just between us.

 

[Snerticus]

I teared up today during the Gospel and Consecration…not all out crying though. It has happened before. Sometimes I cry tears of joy (thankfulness that Jesus gave His life for me), sometimes tears of sadness (when I have been in a state of mortal sin, unable to receive). I’ve also cried during Reconciliation for the sins I have committed.

Ditto! Almost exactly too! I cry for all sorts of reasons at mass. Not only sadness, but joy and remorse as well.

 

[LilyM]

Cried? No. Emotional? Absolutely, for all sorts of different reasons.

Take yesterday - I had wanted to go to confession before Mass, but for whatever reason (the priest might have been late - he does sick calls at the hospital) confession was cancelled. So there I was, not able to go to communion, having the reading of the Passion reminding me of the consequences of my sins :bighanky: - oh yeah, I was emotional all right.

Thanks be to God I was able to go today instead, and stayed for Mass afterwards. Different emotion entirely :getholy: :harp: but equally emotional.

 

[LilyM]

Absolutely yes!!!

And I can never go to Reconcilation withoug crying… every single time! The presence of Jesus is so overwhelming!

Peace

Pam

Most of the confessionals hereabouts are well stocked with boxes of tissues - so you’re certainly not alone!

 

[graceandglory]

I did this morning.:bighanky: I was overwhelmed by the Gospel reading,
I was just wondering if you ever cry during mass?

A bit today during the gospel. Felt kinda ashamed. Tried to wipe up w/o anyone noticing.
I hate it when that happens.

 

[Sunflower15]

The most I cried though was one time during Adoration. I was signed up for my usual hour from Midnight to 1AM. I had an overwhelming feeling of Jesus’ love for me. It was the first (and most powerful) time that I felt that Jesus actually wanted my company. I don’t know how else to describe it…I felt His love for me. I cried…and then I lay prostrate in prayer…and then I sang hymns. The next two adorers didn’t show that night (thank the Lord!), so I spent three hours crying, singing and adoring Our Lord. I wish it happened every time I was in His presence, but it might be a little awkward.

That’s what happened to me when those 2 adorers didn’t show up! It was the BEST! I felt so flattered that He maybe wanted to spend time with me as much as I wanted to spend it with Him! Very intense!

 

[StarMaiden]

I do, I usually start to cry after I have received communion. I don’t think my neighbours in the pew have noticed me having a blubbing session - yet.

 

[pia]

Have loved reading these posts, like everyone else I thought I was the only one it happened to, for me its singing I just get so overwhelmed and have to stop as I get so choked up , also during the Consecration I also get emotional. Had always felt stupid for getting so emotional and overwhelmed , but not any more. “the gift of tears” have never heard of this before just thought WOW when I read it. It blew my mind. God Bless:angel1: