Does your priest like to walk around during the homily?

[OutinChgoburbs]

1.) Over-energetic, or perhaps what is currently called Adult Attention Deficit Disorder? Maybe the walking or pacing focuses these priests. It does kids.
2.) In the summer, the best breeze in our parish church is up front between the two glass doors, just past the altar railing. We don’t have air conditioning. A fully vested priest could probably use a good breeze- provided he stays within 6-10 feet of the sanctuary, and doesn’t meander all over the church.

 

[Joysong]

TantumErgo:

I hope that we all agree that no matter what we ourselves may prefer, think, or believe, our love and concern for all priests and our respect for them should be paramount.

Agreed, and thank you!

 

[LilyM]

One of my local priests, who is brilliantly orthodox in all respects, unfortunately doesnt have a strong voice, not being the springiest of spring chickens. Neither are the acoustics nor the sound system of the church well designed at all.

Consequently for the homily he will come out of the sanctuary - in fact well out of the sanctuary. He will, however, always choose one spot and stay planted there. And his homilies are the best I’ve heard for a long time, so it’s well worth his doing this so that we can hear him.

I think a little licence is allowed in such matters, although I accept that a preacher who wanders would be distracting for most folks. I tend to focus on listening to the homily rather than looking at the priest in any event, so for me it doesn’t matter terribly much.

 

[jknits]

My priest tends to be a little on the nervous side and he stands at the lectern during the entire homily - and reads it. Now, this doesn’t bother me as much as it bothers others, because I take his personality into account. My priest is not a bad priest, nor lazy, he just seems to be somewhat nervous at times. He doesn’t read it as if he is reading an essay, it just seems is if it is to help him if he starts to get off track.

I’d venture to say it would annoy me a tad bit to have my priest wandering all about during the homily.

I wonder who had the bright idea to give Father a clip-on microphone

Maybe its just me, but I find it really annoying when during the homily I look down for a minute, or maybe even blink, and then redirect my gaze to the pulpit and find that Father is gone. I can still hear him fine, but I cant see him- oh wait, he’s over in the east transept- wait, no, he’s up by the Cathedra now- never mind, Father has gone to the Lady Chapel- oh, he’s in the nave now- nope, he’s in the narthex- on the steps- he’s out the door and gone shopping!

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating just a little, but I still get irritated or at least lose my focus on the homily when I have to scan over the Cathedral to look for Father.

 

[Angels_Watchin]

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http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: Does your priest like to walk around during the homily?
Joysong, I do know how hard it is for words and tone to come across accurately. I agree that if something causes concern, even if it wasn’t meant to do so, that apologies for the concern should be uppermost. Don’t want to hijack so 'nuff said for that, and I hope that we all agree that no matter what we ourselves may prefer, think, or believe, our love and concern for all priests and our respect for them should be paramount.

---

“Love” for them demands that we instruct them and correct them. If they are wandering around, even within the sanctuary, they are disobeying the Magisterium of the Church. Period.
The GIRM says they must pick a spot and stand there, preferably at the podium.

Follow the Girm or go preach at Calvary Chapel.
They show NO respect (“love”) for the teachings of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Trinity if they do not obey simple instructions.

God help them have the humility to be obedient.
Angel

 

[Joysong]

Dear Angels Watchin,

“Love” for them demands that we instruct them and correct them. If they are wandering around, even within the sanctuary, they are disobeying the Magisterium of the Church. Period.
The GIRM says they must pick a spot and stand there, preferably at the podium.

Are you absolutely sure the GIRM says this? Or did you hear from someone else that priests disobey if they move from the podium? I have looked at the 2003 latest GIRM and found nothing to substantiate your words. Could you supply the source for us?

Follow the Girm or go preach at Calvary Chapel.

I have to admit your words seemed rather harsh, putting it lightly.

 

[jmcrae]

We have one priest who likes to walk up and down the main aisle when he’s preaching. He also teaches at an undergraduate university college, so I suppose he’s used to trying to keep the attention of sleepy students.

His homilies are very good, always relevant to both the Gospel and real life, and easy to remember. I also like going to him for Confession, when his busy schedule permits that.

Our other priests stay at the ambo, and they, too, give pretty good homilies, although they are more difficult for me to remember, afterwards. Not that I’m not paying attention, but sometimes the ideas don’t connect together in a way that’s easy for me to remember, afterwards.

 

[Caesar]

Since you attend the TLM, why would you bring up this subject? Do your priests not remain at the lectern? There is nothing more annoying to me when a priest stays at the lectern with pages of written homilies, and rarely lifts his eyes from the page to address the people … or worse, he forgets where he left off and spends a few seconds looking for his place.

I would much rather hear a homily from a priest who has his subject matter well prepared in his heart and delivers it as Jesus might have done on the Mount. I would think the Lord moved about in order to give due attention to all who were listening to Him.

I’m only at the TLM one sunday out of the month- thats the only time its offered unfortunately (despite much pleading from priests and faithful laity, the Diocese is ignoring us). The rest of the time I’m in the Cathedral here.

There is one priest at the Cathedral from Africa, and his homilies are about the best I have heard at an NO Mass (aside from maybe the homily given by an Opus Dei priest I heard once)- they are very powerful and focus on important issues- he doesnt walk around. The other two priests go for lighter themes (like last month’s history of the Cathedral), like to joke a lot (laughter is not appropriate for Mass), and they stroll around.

Interesting, John. Two opposite opinions from two different people. Does either method make the priest wrong, other than some do, some don’t? I guess it depends upon how the church is built, for I realize some of the pie-shaped or round buildings would necessitate his effort to accomodate all people within the congregation with eye contact, etc. Obviously, he would not be doing a relay race. [hee-hee]

Then those architectual styles were obviously poor choices. A church must focus all attention on the sanctuary- the priest should not have to make an effort to see the congregation during the homily and vice versa.

Another problem with these wandering priests is that I have yet to see one of them turn and bow whenever they move across the altar, or genuflect when pass the tabernacle.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

During the school Masses both priests come down into where the kids are at. During the homily on other times they do not. I really don’t care one way or the other, I am glad that we have two caring and good priests.

:heart:Blyss

 

[kell0618]

Our priests remain at the Ambo, though during a school Mass with the grade school children, the celebrant will occasionally step down and engage the children. When he does so, he will ask questions of the children while relating the Gospel to their experiences.

Peace to you,

Kelly

 

[Annunciata]

My pastors walks around mainly because nobody sits down front…

 

[havemercy]

I wonder who had the bright idea to give Father a clip-on microphone

Maybe its just me, but I find it really annoying when during the homily I look down for a minute, or maybe even blink, and then redirect my gaze to the pulpit and find that Father is gone. I can still hear him fine, but I cant see him- oh wait, he’s over in the east transept- wait, no, he’s up by the Cathedra now- never mind, Father has gone to the Lady Chapel- oh, he’s in the nave now- nope, he’s in the narthex- on the steps- he’s out the door and gone shopping!

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating just a little, but I still get irritated or at least lose my focus on the homily when I have to scan over the Cathedral to look for Father.

My pastor has one of them gadgets. You described it perfectly, though of course with a little added humor.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Interesting, John. Two opposite opinions from two different people. Does either method make the priest wrong, other than some do, some don’t? I guess it depends upon how the church is built, for I realize some of the pie-shaped or round buildings would necessitate his effort to accomodate all people within the congregation with eye contact, etc. Obviously, he would not be doing a relay race. [hee-hee]

No, I know it isn’t wrong, per se, it just seems very distracting.

 

[Kevin42]

There is one priest at the Cathedral from Africa, and his homilies are about the best I have heard at an NO Mass (aside from maybe the homily given by an Opus Dei priest I heard once)- they are very powerful and focus on important issues- he doesnt walk around

I hate to go off topic, and possibly stereotype in the same post, but it is similar at my church. We have a visiting priest from Africa (I believe Nigeria) and he delivers the most amazing homilies I have heard since Monsignor Broderick. He had the courage one time to tell the entire congregation that in order to be in a state of grace and receive communion after committing a mortal sin, that they need to go to confession. He explained that whole section of the catechism by incorporating it into the homily! He goes very deep, and although his accent makes it difficult to understand sometimes, he gives the most excellent homilies. In addition, he is the most visibly reverent and respectful of the mass. If all priests from Africa are like this, then I want to see some more of them!

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Another problem with these wandering priests is that I have yet to see one of them turn and bow whenever they move across the altar, or genuflect when pass the tabernacle.

That IS another part of the difficulty: it’s too casual for the sanctuary (IMHO). Since they should make the proper reverences (and it would look odd to make 5-10-15 as they perambulate back and forth), it would seem that the answer would be to simply stand still (behind the ambo) or to sit down to preach. Either way would at least not distract.

 

[LilyM]

My pastors walks around mainly because nobody sits down front…

I was at a Mass once where the priest said ‘you can always tell when you’re in a Catholic Church because no-one wants to sit up front’

Personally I don’t like to sit right up the very front either, but three or four rows back is ideal.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

If all priests from Africa are like this, then I want to see some more of them!

If vocations continue to decrease in our country, you probably will. There is one African priest at a parish in our diocese, very reverent celebrant, very kind, but straightforward confessor (and he knows his Bible), good homilist.

 

[BeeSweet]

I was away from the church for 12 years, from 1993 to 2005. Before I left I never saw a soul raise their hands in the orans position, hold hands during the Lord’s Prayer, or see a priest walk around during the Homily. Thankfully I’ve still yet to see the latter, this is the first I’ve ever heard of it. I’m real suprised at the poll results so far, as at this point it seems the majority of folks see this sort of thing.

Often I’m wrangling a baby who needs near constant distraction to be quiet. That is distraction enough for me, I wouldn’t like having to search for the priest when I’m finally able to direct my gaze up front.

 

[Cradle]

Thankfully, no. But he does go down the steps and give part of the homily by the front pews if the Mass is for the children in CCD.

 

[m134e5]

I wonder who had the bright idea to give Father a clip-on microphone

Maybe its just me, but I find it really annoying when during the homily I look down for a minute, or maybe even blink, and then redirect my gaze to the pulpit and find that Father is gone. I can still hear him fine, but I cant see him- oh wait, he’s over in the east transept- wait, no, he’s up by the Cathedra now- never mind, Father has gone to the Lady Chapel- oh, he’s in the nave now- nope, he’s in the narthex- on the steps- he’s out the door and gone shopping!

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating just a little, but I still get irritated or at least lose my focus on the homily when I have to scan over the Cathedral to look for Father.

I suggest you look down while the priest gives his homily. Sometimes that’s the best way to deal with others’ annoying habits. (I have to do that during the Our Father, and Communion- I cannot stand to see people holding their hands out like meditating Hindus, or receiving the Eucharist in the hand).

(your priest hasn’t decided to give the homily from the back of the Church has he? I went to Mass once and the priest said he felt like a change of scenery…to his defense though, I’m not sure he was totally with it).