Foregoing the Final Blessing: Leaving Mass after receiving Communion

[jeb53]

Wonderful testimony, indeed. In fact, even though we are not bound to believe in these, we do know from private revelations that Christ is very displeased with the way he is trated after Holy Communion. We are, in fact, living tabernacles for about 15 minutes or so. Some describe this time as “a fusion, like when two candles melt together”. Not all, of course, leave the Church right after Mass, and many may do so in order to spend time at the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. But we are called to be recollected after Mass, for at least a quarter of an hour.

By the way, for someone who is not a Catholic (yet) you profess a very sincere love for the Beloved in the Holy Eucharist. Many who convert - including myself, though I was somehow always Catholic - experience this profound love for Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Such love can change our lives, and it surely lead many not just to holier lives, but even to sanctity. Have you ever attended a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament? It can be an extraordinary experience.

 

[jeb53]

This shows you how much I know I didn’t realize that there was a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Thank you for letting me know.

 

[Beryllos]

Another strange thing is that there seems to be no protocol whatsoever for going up for communion. As soon as the priest and other ministers are in place, there is a mad dash to the front. Every other church I’ve attended followed the rule that you don’t get up from the kneeler until the people in the pew in front of you have.

I too have seen it both ways. It’s a matter of local custom, I guess.

Personally I prefer the row-by-row order, since the “mad dash” can set up, at least in my mind, a power struggle. “Will I offend the one beside me if I advance now? Will I offend someone behind me if I yield too often? Should I let that pushy person go ahead, or assert my right?” I do not like to be distracted by such unloving thoughts as I prepare to receive the loving sacrament.

 

[Elizabeth779]

I do know people who work in law enforcement, or hospitals who at times attend a mass, but need to leave after communion because time is very short before they are on duty, or have been called out. If a person leaves without a very good reason, we need to pray for them since in my opinion they are not aware of just who they are walking away from.

 

[Reborn2013]

This is not unusual or newsworthy. If priests are bothered by it, bring back the Last Gospel or prayers after low mass. That would nip it in the bud.

 

[DaveBj]

This is not unusual or newsworthy. If priests are bothered by it, bring back the Last Gospel or prayers after low mass. That would nip it in the bud.

Our pastor has actually told people to come back and sit down, because Mass isn’t over We have the prayers after Mass, but to tell the truth, I don’t know how effective they are. My wife and I sit close to the front (5th pew or so), so we can’t see what’s going on behind us.

 

[johnmann]

Mass begins with the Credo (Creed). In the early church the cathecumens were dismissed after the gospel and homily as, not yet being Catholic, they could not remain for the true Mass.

It’s probably after the Creed. I know the dismissal of the Catechumens takes place before but the Mass of the Faithful begins with the Offertory. The Creed, because it’s a later addition to the Mass, is in a weird limbo.

I really wish we’d bring back some post-Communion prayers.

 

[robwar]

**The Priest should hang a sign over the doorpost to the Church so that the leaving congregation can see it. On the sign should be written:

“Judas left early too”

**

That hangs in St. Peter’s Church in Mt Clemens MI.

 

[Brigid34]

Maybe many of the people leave who have to get to work or have people at home they need to take care of as soon as possible. It may be the only way they can come to Mass at all. I’m not saying all the people who leave have these types of problems. I do think we should give them the benefit of the doubt unless we know for sure otherwise.