Have you ever left mass early?

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I have left Mass early, yes. Mostly it was weekday Mass years ago when I had to get home to get the kids to day care/school. Had to leave early a few other times due to sick kids.
 
Inquiry said:
I heard from an Episcopal priest (so no idea if this is a term used in the Catholic Church) that when someone leaves immediately after receiving communion it is known as a Judas Communion.
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I kind of like this. I didn’t think Episcopalians were “judgmental” like that. Horrors!

There could be any number of reasons for leaving Mass early. I care for disabled parents and I sit on the end of the pew nearest the exit, in case I have to take an emergency phone call or leave abruptly. Illness, family responsibilities, the Mass is going on too long (massively long sermon, the “please be seated hour” after Communion or what one CAFer called “the Liturgy of the Bulletin” — I love it!) and my presence is needed elsewhere, a flight or train to catch — any number of good reasons.

And some people leave for reasons that are not good. They know they shouldn’t. They might try abstaining from communion in that case — how do you make a proper thanksgiving if you’re trotting across the parking lot to your car and getting in traffic?
 
nope. sometimes i’d like to do so to avoid the traffic but i just stay put and enjoy the view.
 
Not yet. I stay until the last song. I say “not yet”, by the way, because you never know what can come up.
 
IdaCatholic said:
I’ve walked out of homilies before.
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I haven’t done that…but I’ve been close. There was one that we weren’t there for, if we had been I think we would have walked out as a family. My wife wouldn’t have stood for it.
 
Genesis315 said:
Unlike the other Apostles, Judas left the Last Supper early right after He received the Body of Christ; that’s why leaving right after Communion is compared with what he did.

I can see why someone might think comparing the two is a bit much, given what Judas was leaving early to do versus what people who leave right after Communion might be going off to do (perhaps with good cause, depending on the person and the circumstances).
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Yea, I never cared for that popular Internet meme about Judas being the first to leave Mass early. I don’t think the mom tearing out early with a screaming toddler is leaving with the motive that Judas did . . .
Inquiry said:
I heard from an Episcopal priest (so no idea if this is a term used in the Catholic Church) that when someone leaves immediately after receiving communion it is known as a Judas Communion.
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I heard a much better commentary from an Episcopal bishop. Dashing out right after Eucharist is akin to being invited to someone’s house for dinner and dashing out right after the meal. This is uncouth and ungrateful when you should be thanking your hosts, lingering for friendly conversation, etc.

And just as is the case with Mass, people may dart out of a dinner gathering apologetically and for legitimate reasons - medical professionals on call, sudden illness, etc.
 
I didn’t realize that when we leave early we miss out on the final prie s t blessing .
Kinda like the priest blessing from the OT Arron.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
There could be any number of reasons for leaving Mass early. I care for disabled parents and I sit on the end of the pew nearest the exit, in case I have to take an emergency phone call or leave abruptly. Illness, family responsibilities, the Mass is going on too long (massively long sermon, the “please be seated hour” after Communion or what one CAFer called “the Liturgy of the Bulletin” — I love it!) and my presence is needed elsewhere, a flight or train to catch — any number of good reasons.
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I too have left early in those circumstances, if I’m attending out of town and I know that if I don’t leave at a certain time I risk getting stranded.

If that’s not an issue I try to stay to the bitter end.
 
I grew up Anglican. Try . . . 8 verses. And - and! - the choir would march to the back during the recessional, effectively guarding the exit. All that was missing were Medieval lances crossed into an X to prevent would-be escape artists. Early departures were very, very taboo.
 
I’ve heard some doozies. I’ll grin and bear it until it becomes profane to the Mass. Then, I’m out.
 
LOL. And then if you clap loud enough for the band, they will do an encore…
 
It’s not something that one should make a habit of. However, sometimes it’s necessary to leave early.
 
WeaponizedAutism said:
nope. sometimes i’d like to do so to avoid the traffic but i just stay put and enjoy the view.
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I find I avoid the traffic just as well by staying and praying for several minutes after Mass has ended. 🙂

That said, I do sometimes have to leave early for work reasons (e.g. there is a reception in the parish hall after Mass and I need to be the first one there). Even then, I generally stay through the final blessing and just leave once the closing hymn begins.
 
It’s worth noting that the term was solely a reference to leaving the feast early and not in any way a condemnation or an indication that everyone who does has a bad reason. In fact, the context was more a reminder for people to make sure they have good reason before leaving early.
 
When I was growing up and went with my family we sometimes would. Then once we switched churches to a more Roman Catholic one, we always stayed until the ending of the recessional hymn. Now that I’m living on my own and attend mass by myself or with friends I couldn’t imagine leaving before the last note of the hymn plays on the organ/piano.
 
Joe_5859 said:
I find I avoid the traffic just as well by staying and praying for several minutes after Mass has ended
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I envy you. The vast majority of churches I’ve been too are far too noisy before and after Mass to allow for prayer. True, one could discipline himself to be quiet in the midst of chaos, but it would be nice if churches could be quiet and reverent places.
 
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