Fast Mass in Galway

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NPC said:
Again, we are on the issue of daily Mass - which as Benedictgal put it, is a blessing to have, and thankfully it is now an opportunity for the people in this parish. You do not know what is going on in their lives beyond 7.45 - maybe some spend significant time in the church directly after Mass, maybe others (who are working in Galway, for example) make time to visit the Lord during the day, others may spend time in private devotions in the evening…we don’t know. They may be going to a Mass lasting 15 minutes, but whatever you may think, they are spending time with the Lord which they probably didn’t before. That 15 minutes could be what makes their day.
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Exactly. I had a very bad head cold yesterday to the point that I missed work. What made me feel worse was the fact that I also missed daily Mass, something that I treasure. However, my parochial vicar told me that I could not help getting sick. He told me to offer it up. I do feel much better today and am at work. Mass could last 15 minutes or an hour and 15 minutes. It is a blessing to be able to get to daily Mass.

You are right. The time spent during Mass can and does make a difference. I consider it my time to rest, especially when my parochial vicar celebrates Mass. After Mass, I simply go to the drive-through, pick up something and eat it on the way back to the office. Of course, today, I will be picking up tomato soup, so that is not an option. 😃
 
Masses in the Irish republic have always been on the ‘quick’ side.
Born and raised in the County Wicklow I can never remember Masses exceeding 30/35 minutes and even on Sunday. I frequented many masses around Dublin in the 50s and 20 minutes was the norm.
 
I’m of two minds on this:

First so long as the Mass is being celebrated properly it is good that people are taking even that little time out of their schedule for Mass.

On the other hand, I seem to remember reading (and I wish I could remember from where) that it was considered impossible for the priest to say the Mass in less than 15 minutes without mortal sin (before the reforms when this sort of thing was common practice).
 
benedictgal said:
Rather than chide people for including daily Mass as part of their spiritual regimen, we should be thankful for the opportunity. People do not love God less simply because they cannot make it to Daily Mass. My late mother rarely got to attend daily Mass. But, that did not mean that she did not devote some time during the day for the recitation of the rosary or some other form of prayer. With all due respect, you are trying to lay on burdens for other people without examining their particular situations. That is most uncharitable.
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I agree. I cannot make it to weekday Mass more than about 1 day a week.

But since I work from home on other days besides that one, I chant in Latin the entire Liturgy of the Hours every day (except Office of Readings which I usually read in bed very early in the morning). I spend well over an hour a day in that endeavor. Mind you I’m not trying to brag about the chanting bit. I also sing in a Gregorian schola and chanting the office keeps me in voice so it’s a form of practice as well, to perfect not only the singing but also the correct reading and accentuation of the Latin.

On the day I do attend weekday Mass, I read the Office of Readings and Lauds before the 7 am Mass.
 
This isn’t really a “fast mass”, its about average if all the “optional” things are left out. When I say daily Mass takes around 20 minutes and that’s with a brief “2 minute” homily.
 
I think its somewhat oversensationalized. Daily Mass at my current parish takes about 20-25 minutes with a decent homily and Prayers of the Faithful.The fully sung daily Mass (yes they sing every single thing) takes 40 minutes - and that onyl because of the length of the hymns and all the processing up and down.

In parts of Asia, I have been to daily Masses that finish in 15-20 minutes quite easily. Giving a homily for a daily Mass is not at all usual there, nor do they include the Prayers of the Faithful. At my previous parish it used to take 20 minutes but only because of the number of people receiving Communion.

Even if you use the longest options it doesn’t take much time. Try saying the “Prayer brothers” and the response and the following Prayer over the Gifts slowly. It takes maximum 40 seconds. One of the main reasons why it becomes longer is when ome priests take it into their heads either to do these long ad-libs, or chatter on during the Introductory and Closing monitions that they are allowed to give.
 
AJV said:
I think its somewhat oversensationalized. Daily Mass at my current parish takes about 20-25 minutes with a decent homily and Prayers of the Faithful.The fully sung daily Mass (yes they sing every single thing) takes 40 minutes - and that onyl because of the length of the hymns and all the processing up and down.
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I agree - it is being oversensationalised…or at least, the focus is on the wrong aspect of this story. We can only assume, unless and until we attend this particular Mass and find out for ourselves, that the priest is not rushing through everything & that he is only omitting the homily. We have no reason to doubt the reverence with which his Masses are celebrated - and as many have said, 15-20 minutes is not incredible for a weekday Mass.

What the focus should be on, in my humble opinion, is what a “reshuffle” of Mass times can achieve, taking the schedules of the parishioners into account. The priest in this parish took a practical step to encourage attendance at daily Mass. It stands to reason that in a rural parish where most people have to travel significant distances to work, Mass at 9a.m. is probably only going to suit retired persons. So, really the only option, in order to cater to a wider group of the faithful is to offer Mass earlier in the morning or late in the evening. Plus, the priest in question is - like many others - in charge of two parishes and he has no assistant priests. He is, therefore, probably quite limited in what “reshuffling” he can do, and he may not be in a position to simply put on extra Masses. All in all, I think it’s rather generous what he has done for his parishioners - if he is truly helping them to grow in holiness, then I hope his endeavours catch on!
 
Speaking of fast Masses, I visited a different church last Sunday and this Sunday Mass was 30 minutes! It had all the necessary parts, and the church was full, too. Kind of seemed like I was on a bullet train.
 
Stephentlig said:
although he is in obedience I have to agree that an express mass is not something I would attend, and the reason people flock to it already shows you its a bad idea, the world is a lazy one and we are a lazy people and those who put one foot in the church and one foot out of it are the only ones I’d say would attend such an express mass.

if he is supposed to be given homilys at weekday masses during lent and it is required by canon law then he is in disobedience to Holy Mother Church and nobody should ever give someone like himself the benefit of the doubt.

Thank you for taking the time to respond

God bless and take care
Stephen <3
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Homilies are not required for weekday Masses. On weekday mornings, people are often rushed because they have to get to work. If they can’t get to a Mass that is short enough in the mornings, they simply won’t go to daily Mass. Daily Mass-goers aren’t “one foot in and one foot out”- they generally are devout Catholics.
 
Excellent! Thank you for bringing us back on track. Let’s all remember to say a prayer for this priest and others like him who are working under a heavy burden. And for his parishioners who are now able to receive all the grace of attending daily Mass!
NPC said:
I agree - it is being oversensationalised…or at least, the focus is on the wrong aspect of this story. We can only assume, unless and until we attend this particular Mass and find out for ourselves, that the priest is not rushing through everything & that he is only omitting the homily. We have no reason to doubt the reverence with which his Masses are celebrated - and as many have said, 15-20 minutes is not incredible for a weekday Mass.

What the focus should be on, in my humble opinion, is what a “reshuffle” of Mass times can achieve, taking the schedules of the parishioners into account. The priest in this parish took a practical step to encourage attendance at daily Mass. It stands to reason that in a rural parish where most people have to travel significant distances to work, Mass at 9a.m. is probably only going to suit retired persons. So, really the only option, in order to cater to a wider group of the faithful is to offer Mass earlier in the morning or late in the evening. Plus, the priest in question is - like many others - in charge of two parishes and he has no assistant priests. He is, therefore, probably quite limited in what “reshuffling” he can do, and he may not be in a position to simply put on extra Masses. All in all, I think it’s rather generous what he has done for his parishioners - if he is truly helping them to grow in holiness, then I hope his endeavours catch on!
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