I didn't think I'd be this upset

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gem995

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I knew Masses were being cancelled in other states, but they were still being celebrated in my country. Well, our state’s governor banned gatherings of 10 or more people a couple of days ago, and on the same day the Archdiocese cancelled Masses in 117 churches.

It is upsetting. With the exception of this past Sunday, I could not attend church for the month of January and February (mostly due to the flu). Even then, I knew I could return any time I wanted. Well, now I don’t know when I’ll be setting foot in one again. I always feel so accepted and loved in Our Lord’s presence, and I miss it so much. Yes, He’s everywhere, but churches are surrounded by an aura of holiness. The Eucharist is there. Jesus is there. Churches are mirrors of Heaven on Earth.

Strangely, I had a dream about this last week. I saw myself standing in the foyer of an empty church. It had been stripped of all statues and icons. Swirls of dust floated in the air. I did not see the crucified behind the altar or candles burning. Yet only the altar remained with nothing on it save for the corporal. The silence was so deafening, but the worst part was the profound sense of loneliness. It reminded me of Nietzsche’s passage on the death of God:

"It has been related further that on the same day the madman forced his way into several churches and there struck up his requiem aeternam deo. Led out and called to account, he is said always to have replied nothing but: “What after all are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?”
 
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They cancelled Mass here in MO too. It also upsets me very much as I enjoy the mass. I commit sins like we all now without the Eucharist and many confessions being cancelled I cannot be absolved. God Bless to all.
 
My diocese suspended Mass too. It’s extremely upsetting, especially when I was supposed to sing in the Easter choir in our new music area 😭 But like St. Teresa of Avila once said, “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, though all things pass, God does not change. Patience wins all things. But he lacks nothing who possesses God; For God alone suffices.” I only pray that this blows over by Easter. Prayers to you :bowing_woman:
 
Mass is cancelled here too. It’s a bummer. I’ll follow the authority of my archbishop. Obedience is a virtue. But I do miss it. This past Sunday was weird.
 
Also, I found the song “Hold On To Love” very comforting. Just an additional thought.
 
Funny thing is for me, I’ve noticed in the last few months that I’ve lost the wonder and overwhelming desire that I used to experience when I was about to receive the Eucharist. I’m a convert, been in the Church for over a decade, but I remember the burning passion I used to feel while going through the RCIA process as a candidate and having to stay in my pew while everyone else went up to receive. I could literally feel my heart well up inside my chest and I would long to be one with Christ, with almost overwhelming desire, anticipating the day that he would abide in me and I could abide with him. But ever since the word came yesterday that Masses had been cancelled, at least for the next three weeks, I’ve felt that spark come back. And I’m joyful. This unfortunate sabbatical has reminded me how much I love Christ and the importance of his sacrifice to my life. It’s forced my to really recognize that this world is falling away and, in the end, God is all I need.
 
This is exactly right. I might be experiencing the same thing. I am learning to recognize the value of the church’s mission in bringing us closer to Our Lord.

I just feel so sad that all of this is happening. I am more scared of the pandemic of hysteria than I am of the actual coronavirus.
 
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See if you can find out if there are nearby Church’s offering Eucharistic Adoration or even if the Church is open to contemplate the weekly gospel before the tabernacle. This is what my plan is unless and until they close off Churches completely.
 
I was with a priest last week who said even if we can’t get into the churches, we should go to the churches and pray outside. That sounded like a good idea to me, although it’s looking like churches will stay open for prayer where I am so one can go in and say the prayer, but even if one couldn’t get in it would be comforting to know Jesus was just on the other side of the wall, like a great big tabernacle.
 
I was just thinking of this… I can’t imagine an Easter Sunday without going to Mass…
 
Me too.
I mean, God is everywhere and we can worship Him anywhere and anytime, but…

I miss Mass :confused:
 
I need to follow the advice that I’ve given probably dozens of other people on this forum over the years and lay off on the newsfeed some.

I’ve been binging on news about corona all week out of morbid fascination and I think it’s starting to get to me. I gotta have more fun. Holy Week is still a few weeks off and maybe by then they’ll conjure up some outdoor solution in my area.
 
I read somewhere someone wrote (maybe on here) the devil must be happy now that nations cannot receive His body and we cannot “Do this in remembrance of Me”. I know it must be temporary but is this scale of cancellations unprecedented?

I miss Mass so much but when I found out many churches were closed even for prayer and no confession no sacraments! I started to worry in my soul.
 
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The Archbishop said priests should allow parishioners into church at specified times. Eucharistic Adoration will be offered sans the celebration.
 
This is so true. I vaguely recall thinking something to that effect.
 
I’ve been thinking that perhaps people that don’t fear corona virus and don’t think Mass should be cancelled have received a blessing to be put to good use. ie offering their services in areas where hospitals and testing centers are overwhelmed.

I was reading about the 1918 Spanish flu when Churches were all closed. Around the world diocese sent out their non cloistered religious in service of the sick and homebound. Really fearless missionaries. After all was said and done the Catholic volunteers were roundly praised and shown great appreciation for their part in helping to reduce deaths and manage the disaster.

In Francis Edward Tourschers book, Work of the Sisters during the epidemic of influenza, October, 1918 , he cites one sister stating…

“through this experience I have learned to appreciate my vocation to the religious life more than ever before.”

Perhaps that is where God is leading the fearless to mission today?
 
Emeraldlady said:
I’ve been thinking that perhaps people that don’t fear corona virus and don’t think Mass should be cancelled have received a blessing to be put to good use. ie offering their services in areas where hospitals and testing centers are overwhelmed.
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Wouldn’t that be wonderful.

As someone with an auto immune disease, I’ve been in my house since Thursday. I know, I know, just a couple of days longer than most of my neighbors. But it isn’t easy.

I dread the thought of going to the store. Or really sending any of my family. Because if they catch something and bring it back to me, it is the same as me going out and catching it. My immune system is toast. (at least according to my doctor and the paperwork from my drug trial.) I don’t want to think about how bad it might be for me if I get sick.
 
gem995 said:
. With the exception of this past Sunday, I did not attend church for the month of January and February (mostly due to the flu), but I’d rest assured knowing I could return at any time I wanted. Well, now I don’t know when I’ll be setting foot in one again. I always feel so accepted and loved in Our Lord’s presence, and I miss it so much. Yes, He’s everywhere, but churches are surrounded by an aura of holiness. The Eucharist is there. Jesus is there. Churches are mirrors of Heaven on Earth.
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I win. I’ve been holed up at home since last Wednesday. It is a bit maddening, and I am a homebody. It’s maddening only because I know I can’t go out at all. At least before I had the choice to go out even if I took it for granted.
 
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Willy1 said:
They cancelled Mass here in MO too. It also upsets me very much as I enjoy the mass. I commit sins like we all now without the Eucharist and many confessions being cancelled I cannot be absolved. God Bless to all.
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  1. Pray the Act of Contrition
  2. Have the intent to go to confession your first opportunity
  3. You’re good! God knows the situation.
Blessings!
 
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