Drinking Water in Mass

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mandajane

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Hey everyone, just a quick question.

The new medication I’ve been put on seriously dehydrates me. I’ve been advised to drink lots and lots of water, and I’ve taken to carrying a water bottle with me everywhere.

I haven’t brought it with me to mass yet, but I find that by halfway through mass, my throat is painfully dry, and it’s extremely distracting.

Would it be permissible to bring a small water bottle into mass and drink from it during?

I absolutely do not want to be disrespectful, but it’s just very painful, and makes it hard to concentrate on the mass.
 
I see nothing wrong with it. Although, I personally would let my priest know about my intention to do so.
 
Why would it not be permissible?

It was 105 degrees outside this morning when Mass began. I’d reckon 1/2 the people at Mass were carrying water bottles. So I ask: How is it a problem?

Luna
 
There is nothing wrong with drinking water during the Mass. Since everyone doesn’t have a water bottle, I would try to be discreet.
 
At Mass Friday I sat behind a lady who had a cup of water next to her. Since I take meds that dehydrate me I can understand. In your situation it’s not just a case of being thirsty, it’s a medical situation. I’ve had the Eucharist stick to the roof of my mouth. I’m sure that’s happened to you. I don’t see anything wrong with you having a water bottle and discretely taking a sip if you have to.
 
When I was pregnant I’d bring bottled water in with me.
I’d get very dehydrated and dizzy when I didn’t bring it with me.
 
I agree that if it is a medical condition, it is OK. However, I do think it needs to be done in a respectable manner. To just ‘swish’ the water around in the bottle as a nervous habit and obviously tilt you head back, is not what I would recommend.

I would put the water bottle on the seat or floor and only when you need a drink pick it up. I also think that using a straw (assuming that is not painful) will help make it discreet.
 
Just drink. I’ve seen a number of priests (East and West) have a glass of water with them at the altar.
 
No issues with water nearby you if you need it for a medical reason of any kind. Better to carry a small bottle with you than to keep getting up to go to the drinking fountain and bothering others during Mass. Just be as discreet as possible if you need to have a drink of it.

My uncle keeps a bottle of water nearby but he sings in the choir and sometimes serves as a cantor so he does it to avoid dry throat too. Same for those in the choir. Its rare if I see a priest with some water nearby in a glass or bottle.
 
I would sit near an exit and go into the vestibule when I needed to drink so as not to distract others.
 
When I spoke to the priest after mass today, he repeated what you guys have said, pretty much. Feel free to have a water bottle, just don’t be noisy when you drink it. I actually offered to sit in the back and leave when i needed a drink, but he said that’s actually MORE distracting to others than if I remain in the pew and drink out of the bottle.
 
mandajane said:
When I spoke to the priest after mass today, he repeated what you guys have said, pretty much. Feel free to have a water bottle, just don’t be noisy when you drink it. I actually offered to sit in the back and leave when i needed a drink, but he said that’s actually MORE distracting to others than if I remain in the pew and drink out of the bottle.
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whew, I’m happy we gave good advice. There are some sports bottles with a straw that would be a good option. You wouldn’t have to open a bottle or tilt it up.
 
Absolutely nothing wrong with water bottle at Mass due to dryness from medication or medical condition. I use a very small water bottle with a cut off flex straw so as to be able to use a cap for closure. I fought it for a very long time, till it became a problem of not being able to receive Holy Communion.

Medication I have to take several times a day leaves me extremely dry to the point if I open my mouth, my dentures would fall out.😊 And old age doesn’t help either.😊
 
Water may be taken anytime, even during Mass. I usually wait until there are a few quiet minutes like when we are just seated before the first reading or maybe after singing the offertory song and we have not stood up for the reponses. It gets really hot in the Summer where I live and most people will have some kind of water bottle with them.
 
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