How young is too young to attend a long Mass?

[zab]

Keep in mind, I normally try to attend the Extraordinary Form where most of the children in attendance at the churches I go are for the most part decently behaved and any youngsters causing a fuss are generally removed quickly by a parent then come back when their needs are attended to (like using the bathroom or a diaper change).

It is not right to imply that most children who attend the Extraordinary Form are better behaved and disciplined. We can also say that children are not as welcome attending the extraordinary form of the Mass. Some young mothers have expressed how intimidated they felt while being parishioners at a “traditional” parish where the Latin Mass was celebrated. Perhaps this is why some feel the need to not attend Mass as a family, and go to two Masses. Yeah, I remember my parents doing that, too. That doesn’t mean that they are any better than parents who attend Mass as a family. And families are the same no matter what form of the Mass they attend. No parent became an expert in one day.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

OP here: When I took pictures, I ensured I was bothering no one, and snapped with no flash during the part where she presented herself to the bishop to affirm her commitment to service. I took a few other pictures from the balcony but the only people near me in my row were my parents (her in-laws) who knew what I was doing.

Keep in mind, I normally try to attend the Extraordinary Form where most of the children in attendance at the churches I go are for the most part decently behaved and any youngsters causing a fuss are generally removed quickly by a parent then come back when their needs are attended to (like using the bathroom or a diaper change).

I will have to check out a Divine Liturgy sometime as there are a few Eastern Catholic churches within an hour’s day of me.

I try to go to the EF when I can. Sadly in the diocese I have lived it is not offered. But occasionally I make a longer trip. (A few hours) and find one in a neighboring diocese. I have never noticed what you describe. In fact I find quite the opposite. Women constantly getting up and down with kids, kids running down the isles. The back of the Church is like a daycare. Etc. Not only that but many in the EF crowd have large families and when Mommy is out with a baby, and daddy is changing the toddler, the other 15 kids in the pew go nuts!

I don’t think it is a fair comparison to make.

I prefer the EF and for me it is easier to pray and concentrate at the EF. But I am able to do so with way more distracting kids than at my local parish.

The forms have absolutely nothing to do with the subject anyway! Why even bring it up?

It is almost as if you have the attitude of how dare someone go to Mass and disrupt my relatives “special” day and distract me from praying the mass (clicking away with a camera)

Maybe you should rethink the purpose of the Mass to you.

 

[Kielbasi]

I guess it depends on the kid, but its very difficult for young’uns to be still for that long of a period.

I remember to this date, attending a long Good Friday liturgy with my grandmother, I thought it was a very difficult time.

 

[englishredrose]

I would prefer half the Church be of young Children running around, crying and being exactly how Children are than someone taking photo’s all the way thru, ie not really being at the service themselves. Catholics are hot on the State of Grace for Communion right? I don’t see how someone taking lots of photos all the way thru could have really participated in the service? Especially if one is not normally doing so. I certainly would resent anyone hushing me up as I do anyway and if I had children and allowing them their freedom being in a suitable part of the Church to do so, I would resent someone taking lots of photos hushing any children up because the noise of the camera and the noise of the even silent ‘hush’ is much louder than children being children. I dislike it as adults how we are meant to be all prim and propper in Church but outside the tongues on the wag and all the rest of it. At least Children are healthily themselves in Church. A lesson could be learned from them I believe.

 

[Mamajag]

If you had shushed me or my family. I would have taken a break from trying to parent my kids and done a little parenting on you.
Yes the behaviour you describe is not optimal. But neither is the lady in front of you snapping pictures and shushing your kids while you are just trying to spend time with the Lord at Mass. I am so sorry the children affected your heart before you received our Lord.

:thumbsup:

I have 3 kids. I am lucky to have a Church where children are expected to be children from time to time. I am converting (starting RCIA this week!) and last week at the orientation I had my 3 with me and my middle child said rather loudly when we were asked to pray that she wasn’t closing her eyes around strangers. The priest laughed and said pretty soon we won’t be strangers any more. Do what you feel comfortable doing, child. I thought it was a very kind and charitable way of dealing with an unfortunate interruption. My 4 year old interrupted a few times and the lady that organizes RCIA apologized to me for the lack of child care. They weren’t expecting children (and in fact as this was the third orientation weren’t expecting anyone really) and so told the nursery lady to stay home. She’ll be there for classes (thank goodness!) now that they know there is a need for that service.

 

[Jon_S_1]

:thumbsup:

I have 3 kids. I am lucky to have a Church where children are expected to be children from time to time. I am converting (starting RCIA this week!) and last week at the orientation I had my 3 with me and my middle child said rather loudly when we were asked to pray that she wasn’t closing her eyes around strangers. The priest laughed and said pretty soon we won’t be strangers any more. Do what you feel comfortable doing, child. I thought it was a very kind and charitable way of dealing with an unfortunate interruption. My 4 year old interrupted a few times and the lady that organizes RCIA apologized to me for the lack of child care. They weren’t expecting children (and in fact as this was the third orientation weren’t expecting anyone really) and so told the nursery lady to stay home. She’ll be there for classes (thank goodness!) now that they know there is a need for that service.

I too take my kids to RCIA (2,4,6). When there’s no child care (June-October) they would go to the front with me for dismissal and if bring coloring for them during class. EVERYONE has been so kind in helping me. And the priest told me he loves having our little family come up for dismissal as a testament to bringing kids to mass and teaching them the faith.

Keep bringing the kids to mass everyone!