Do You Take Your Bible to Mass?

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tee_eff_em:
Come to the bifocal side (just don’t trip on your way over) 🤓 Resitance is futile.
😃
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You sound like my wife. She has been trying to make me behave logically. But I have been stubborn thus far. I’m using the force to stay strong. 😉
 
Who is the patron saint of PDA’s anyway? :hmmm:

🙂
I’ve heard that St. Max Kolbe is a biggie on hi tech stuff. Not sure why, might have to do with printing presses & such. -Tex
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
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The readings are supposed to be “proclaimed” and listened to - not read! Read the Bible, but NOT during the Mass!
 
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rec:
The readings are supposed to be “proclaimed” and listened to - not read! Read the Bible, but NOT during the Mass!
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In a perfect world, that works, Ralph. But when you have lectors that do not speak clearly, it is helpful to have the written Word handy to see what you are auricularly not hearing.

We have a lector, whom we, in our family, refer to as “Slow Reader.” He seems to enjoy the sound of his own voice immensely and draws out the readings so overmuch that it is difficult to follow him sentence to sentence. He pauses so often and so long between words that we often forget what the first part of the sentence was by the time he gets to the end of the sentence – I’m serious. This is a situation in which having my missal or (gasp!) Bible handy is most helpful.

I never read along with the lector, but when I do encounter difficulty hearing or understanding (or following) them, I do repair to my written text.

What’s wrong with that???
 
Where in the Bible or catechism or Fathers does it say that we aren’t supposed to read the Bible in church but only “listen”? I (and many others) get much more out of the reading if I have it in front of me while the pastor/lector is reading it aloud than I would otherwise.
 
This is a trick question - I answered “yes” - I carry my Bible with me wherever I go - the Word of God written on my heart! I think every Catholic who is familiar with his or her Scriptures can answer the same.

The most important thing you can bring to any Mass is yourself. We are called to full participation in the Mass and anything that distracts one from full participation should be avoided. If flipping pages is a distraction, then perhaps one’s attention could be focused on what is being prayed or read at the altar.

Pilgrim you said: “The Mass…is our one chance a week (well, for most of us ) to get together with fellow Catholics and worship as a community. It is not intended as a time for personal, private worship…there should be no reason to bring personal sacramentals along. Focus should be on communal participation - everybody doing the same thing, acting as one.”

First off, I sincerely hope and pray that every action by every person who is in Mass IS a personal and private (as in intimate) act of worship of Almighty God! That is the heart of all sincere worship.

Secondly, I’ve heard this same “conformist” talk from many who have eliminated things like kneelers, Tabernacles and traditional religious art from their “worship spaces.” I’ve heard it used to prevent kneeling during the Consecration in favor of standing and also to prevent kneeling or genuflecting before receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord.

You also said: “To use His time as a convenient excuse to slip in personal, private worship, in defiance of the spirit of our purpose for coming together, is wrong…please save that one hour on Sunday to do what we’re asked to do - worship with our brothers and sisters as a community!”

The MOST personal, private, worshipful moments I’ve had in this earthly life are in Communion with Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity after receiving Him in the Eucharist. I give my full attention to His Mass and everything in it before He comes to me in Communion and things like the “communal” holding of hands at the Our Father and “back-slapping, kissie-huggy” Signs of Peace drive me batty! For those who emphasize the “communial” nature of our worship in Mass have missed the boat. The whole point is to Worship God sincerely, personally, and with all one’s heart. It isn’t about my neighbor at all. Rather by pouring it out before Him at Mass, His love will direct my heart towards a right-ordered love of neighbor, not an either or situation that mere conformism leads to. Vie on the mediocrity that conformism for its own sake mothers!

Besides, if all my attention is on the Liturgy, as it should be, then my neighbor’s actions will rarely even be noticed, let alone judged.

Peace and all good,

Thomas2
 
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rec:
The readings are supposed to be “proclaimed” and listened to - not read! Read the Bible, but NOT during the Mass!
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Here we go again…

I think that if everyone had a copy of the readings at Mass 2000 years ago, some of them would have followed along with the"proclaimer" if that helped them absorb the scripture. I doubt people back then would have had an issue with it. I can’t see why some people have such a problem with it today. If you want to just listen, then listen.

If I choose to listen AND follow along (maybe it helps me understand, maybe I’m easily distracted, maybe the lector isn’t that great, maybe I don’t hear so well, whatever) I don’t see why it should matter to anyone else present. I am still receiving the scripture that is being proclaimed at the Mass. It’s not like I’m reading the TV Guide. Or the Bulletin.
 
My answer is no I do not bring it to Mass. I do not bring it because, the Mass is a communal celebration and we should be focused on what is happening on the sanctuary and in our hearts not at what is in our hands.
 
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ATexasCatholic:
My answer is no I do not bring it to Mass. I do not bring it because, the Mass is a communal celebration and we should be focused on what is happening on the sanctuary and in our hearts not at what is in our hands.
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So why are there missilettes and song books present. I don’t understand your response - but that is OK.

One thing that has amazed me on this thread - is how argumentive some threads got re: bringing the Bible to Mass.

That truly personally concerns me. Like I stated in other posts within this thread … I open it to the readings already book-marked (I make no noise) and close them when the readings are done. My focus is always on Jesus …

Thanks for sharing though …appreciate the time! 👍
 
There are a few here who keep denouncing private devotional practices during Mass, but I don’t think anyone here who has said that he brings a Bible (or missal) to Mass said that he reads it instead of participating in Mass. So those arguments against private devotions during Mass are really a moot point and not something any of us – I dare say – would disagree with. Yes???

I am really quite surprised so many feel it is wrong to read the Scriptures as they are being read. Boggles the mind – totally – at least my mind. :hmmm:
 
There are a few here who keep denouncing private devotional practices during Mass, but I don’t think anyone here who has said that he brings a Bible (or missal) to Mass said that he reads it instead of participating in Mass. So those arguments against private devotions during Mass are really a moot point and not something any of us – I dare say – would disagree with. Yes???

I am really quite surprised so many feel it is wrong to read the Scriptures as they are being read. Boggles the mind – totally – at least my mind. :hmmm:
 
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I am really quite surprised so many feel it is wrong to read the Scriptures as they are being read. Boggles the mind – totally – at least my mind. :hmmm:

:eek: It kinda makes me feel uneasy that somebody would feel negative … but - I guess that is what makes the world go around (or not :eek: )

Thanks! 👍
 
I find the bible with me at mass to be comforting. I read the bible at home and prior to daily mass. It is not for me to judge others, but I can observe. I have observed that no one has ever complained when I turn a page. No one has ever been uncomfortable with me when I bring the bible to mass. I do notice adults and children looking at it during mass.

In the present “liberal” climate in the Catholic Church, reminders of our faith such as the bible, statues of Mary and Joseph, rosaries, crucifix, kneeling during mass, all serve to help reenforce what happens during mass. I am so happy the Jesus comes to mass in the host and wine. We all come to celebrate our salvation from sin and worship Jesus. The presence of the bible or holy cards can help us worship.

I remember some of the bad aspects of the mass in the 1950’s. There was too much concern over what we wore, where we sat, etc. One would NEVER bring a bible to mass in those days. I was told to not even attempt to read the bible. Now days things are different. At a one day lenten retreat, a retired Jesuit priest(Fr Nigro) told us to read the NAB along with two different bible commentaties. I confess that I required a few weeks to get the bible and commentaries, and learn how to read three books at once. The extra effort was well worth it. I have a far better understanding of the readings at daily mass.

I pray that being a good traditional orthodox Catholic example for my children and teaching my children how to read the bible, that they will stay with the Catholic church for the rest of their lives.

In case anyone is interested,

The Catholic Study Bible, New American Bible,
ISBN 0-19-528277-9

The Collegeville Bible Commentary
ISBN 0-8146-2211-9

The New Jerome Biblical Commentary
ISBN 0-13-614934-0

Also, reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition will help many Catholics adhere to the teachings of our Pope and the Vatican. Many of our questions are answered in this book. It is only $14.95.

“By living with the mind of Christ, Christians hasten the coming of the Reign of God”.

ISBN 1-57455-110-8

God Bless
 
I don’t bring a bible to Mass because I follow along with the readings using the missalette. As far as devotional reading before or after Mass, we have so many consecutive Masses on Sunday that there really is no time in between. On other than Sundays, though, I often use the bible in the adoration chapel during Eucharistic adoration.

JimG
 
I have taught CCD for about five years now and I introduce my younger children to how to read scripture.

This past year, I sent home a letter to my kids parents, asking to make sure the kids have a bible - because they would be learning how to find scripture passages in class.

Well to my surprise (and ignorance) 1/2 the class brought a Catholic Bible and 1/2 the class brought a KJV.

The kids love to have races between the girls and the boys looking up scripture verses … it is a lot of fun and never once did a parent complain.

I have had parents tell me their kids love coming to CCD (Sat AM at 8:30 :eek: :eek: ). I tell them they don’t have to butter me up : 👍

I hope I am not violating anything :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
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bfdtex:
Sure Bob, Don’t mention it. Try www.avantgo.com a free service which automatically downloads updates to those things, also www.download.com is helpful, just enter “Catholic” and you will find the e-rosary (with pictures), Stations and lots of other stuff.
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Bob & bfdtex- nice to have some fellow PDAer’s online here- one other site that I use and download to my ipaq is from Creighton University- they have an online ministry section that includes daily readings and reflections. I find myself using it more than Mobile Gabriel… creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

As far as PDA bibles go, I have the Douay-Rheims and the NIV, which can get me by… I haven’t seen the RSV-CE and I haven’t been willing yet to spring the $30 for the NAB Catholic edition.

I have also seen the catechism in microsoft reader format.

And, yes I make sure my volume is muted and try not to be a distraction. I was traveling on my honeymoon in Canada and a priest saw I was using my ipaq and he talked to me after Mass and told me he had the same pda and wanted to get connected with that as well. I actually set his pda up for him before we left town.

Keep in touch if anyone comes across something we all might like
 
I used to take my bible to weekday Mass, boy did I get some funny “looks”. It helped me to know, where that scripture was in the context of the whole chapter. I have got lazy about going to daily Mass in the last few years, plus I have been changing work schedules around. So it is some times difficult to get to daily Mass.
 
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diamondback7:
Bob & bfdtex- nice to have some fellow PDAer’s online here- one other site that I use and download to my ipaq is from Creighton University- they have an online ministry section that includes daily readings and reflections. I find myself using it more than Mobile Gabriel… creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

As far as PDA bibles go, I have the Douay-Rheims and the NIV, which can get me by… I haven’t seen the RSV-CE and I haven’t been willing yet to spring the $30 for the NAB Catholic edition.

I have also seen the catechism in microsoft reader format.

And, yes I make sure my volume is muted and try not to be a distraction. I was traveling on my honeymoon in Canada and a priest saw I was using my ipaq and he talked to me after Mass and told me he had the same pda and wanted to get connected with that as well. I actually set his pda up for him before we left town.

Keep in touch if anyone comes across something we all might like
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Thanks for the info. I find it hard to read in depth on my IPAQ since the type is so small (yeah, yeah, I know, tee_eff_em, I need to cave in and go for the bifocals… Never! Never! 🤓 )

I download a lot of Catholic Answers Live episodes to the IPAQ (I don’t have a real time source on radio locally) and listen to them on trips, etc. I have Realplayer for the IPAQ. I can listen even without my glasses! 😃

I will keep my eyes peeled for interesting Catholic PDA stuff. Thanks!
 
When I was a Protestant, I used to take my Bible with me because I used to look up the verses quoted from the Pastor to see if what he was teaching was really in there. Now that I’m Catholic, I don’t feel I have to do that anymore. I have all of the readings in my Missal which I can review in my own time at home for my spiritual edification. I’ve also familiarized myself with Church teaching so as to recognize a bad homily if I should hear one. So far, by the grace of God I have not heard one yet, but I attend an orthodox “Novus Ordo” parish…our Cathedral. Thanks be to God! - God bless! - Mfaustina1 🙂
 
It would be as inappropriate to read the Bible during mass as it is to say the Rosary during Mass. The pious action can never justify the mental distraction taking place during the mass.

We are expected to particpate fully in the liturgy of the Mass. There is no grand purpose served by bringing the Bible to Mass as oppossed to bringing a Sunday missal. Having any form of written material during mass is a very modern development in the life of Christians.

For those who like to read the full context of the passages selected you should do this before or after Mass and not during the homily or responsorial psalm etc. The Mass is the source and summit of Christian Life, the Bible is invaluable in helping us understand the Mass but should never distract us from the Mass.

There are times outside of Mass when I pray in “lecto divina” style with a Bible. This is a very acceptable and highly encouraged way to use the Bible in church.

God Bless
 
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