Is this normal? I feel like I'm back in a protestant church again

[Sarah_Angel]

There is nothing wrong with a priest leaving the podium to give his Homily, however the priests I know who do this give their homily in front of the altar; they don’t walk up and down the aisles. There isn’t anything wrong with asking, “Can I get an AMEN?” but in my personal opinion, I think it’s rather tacky to say that in the middle of a Mass so I would find that distracting.

I have to agree that the “blessing” before the Homily is an issue. I don’t think the best solution would be to leave your church, but rather have somebody confront him about the issue because if he isn’t confronted, he’s going to keep doing it. He may keep doing it regardless, but it’s better to try and fail than to not try at all.

 

[Bluegoat]

As far as coming out before the servics; I think sometimes it is hard to figure out the best way to address the congregation as a group, on non-mass related matters. Before the mass, it rather gives the wrong feeling to those trying to prepare. But after, many people leave. I’m afraid this is something I’ve seen far more in Catholic Churches than anywhere else, people leaving right after receiving the Eucharist or during the final hymn. (I don’t know if this actually happens in your parish.)

So he may feel that before the Mass is the only time he’ll get to see most of the people or speak to them and pass on important information.

 

[a_cermak]

Well, I think addressing the congregation before the service is the only time he really can do so without violating the rubrics. Heck, many congregations have singing prep during that time anyway. And I think acknowledging the visitors is nicer than the usual policy of ignoring them.

The blessing before homily part is a little odd, but it depends on whether he is asking the congregation to pray for his blessing or asking that they personally bless him. Certainly the rubrics don’t cover the actual homily so if he wants to ask for an amen from time to time (or ask the congregants to pray for him), that would be allowed. I don’t believe it particularly matters where he stands during the homily, but excessive wondering might distract. On the other hand, if its an engrained habit of his, his congregants may just have to suffer him.

 

[Catholictrain]

Even if everything is done according to the rubrics, it doesn’t always mean things are going to be spiritually uplifting. An example: Once, in the beautiful cathedral in Gallup, NM, we attended Mass. The priest was a pius man who had an amazing singing voice. He sang all the parts of the Mass in Gregorian Chant. It was wonderful. It was heavenly. But the musical group that played was several guitars and bongo drums and they played what could only be called mariachi music. The contrast between the priest singing in gregorian chant and the fast, loud, almost vulgar music was so great as to be laughable. I don’t mean it made us laugh inside… I mean I actually laughed outloud (before I caught myself and stiffled the laugh).

I imagine that our Lord also had a good laugh as well… because it was truly funny. I was not laughing at the band… they were trying to praise God in the best way they knew how. But the contrast was one that struck a funny bone with me.

 

[Sr_Sally]

I don’t think the best solution would be to leave your church, but rather have somebody confront him about the issue because if he isn’t confronted, he’s going to keep doing it. He may keep doing it regardless, but it’s better to try and fail than to not try at all.

I agree. Since he’s a new priest to your parish you can easily ask about his practices that are different. Depending on his explanation, you have a few options. If he thinks everything is peachy and isn’t open to change, I would then speak to the pastor. Then if his practices that are truly incorrect–walking the aisles during the homily for example–don’t change you would consider speaking to the bishop.

Since much of this falls into a gray area–coming out before Mass, his tone during the homily–hopefully he’ll be sensitive to your concerns. Please remember to pray for him every day!

 

[zab]

I agree. Since he’s a new priest to your parish you can easily ask about his practices that are different. Depending on his explanation, you have a few options. If he thinks everything is peachy and isn’t open to change, I would then speak to the pastor. Then if his practices that are truly incorrect–walking the aisles during the homily for example–don’t change you would consider speaking to the bishop.

Since much of this falls into a gray area–coming out before Mass, his tone during the homily–hopefully he’ll be sensitive to your concerns. Please remember to pray for him every day!

I’m not sure that “walking the aisles during the homily” is “truly incorrect”. Do you have a reference for that?
Most of the time my pastor gives his homily from the ambo. But at the children’s Mass during the school season, he comes down into the aisle and asks them what the gospel was about and he asks questions and the kids raise their hands to give answers and he talks a little in the aisle.

 

[Sr_Sally]

I’m not sure that “walking the aisles during the homily” is “truly incorrect”. Do you have a reference for that?
Most of the time my pastor gives his homily from the ambo. But at the children’s Mass during the school season, he comes down into the aisle and asks them what the gospel was about and he asks questions and the kids raise their hands to give answers and he talks a little in the aisle.

I don’t have a source handy, but my understanding is that the priest was to stay in the sanctuary during the homily.

What you describe happening at a special school Mass sounds like it might be ok for that situation, but not for an regular Sunday parish Mass.

 

[budgie2]

I have a new vicar priest at my parish and although he seems like a very holy man, he has been doing things before and during mass that make me feel uncomfortable. I don’t have the time right now to look up the “rules” so-to-speak on conducting the mass but I will later.

Before mass he comes out and greets the music director and then he speaks to the congregation almost as if the Blessed Sacrament ain’t even there:blush:

His cellphone went off too at this time…I don’t know if that’s really an issue but yeah…
Then he asks if there are any visitors and he has the congregation clap for them as they raise their hands. I’ve never seen this in a Catholic church, only in all the protestant churches I have been to.

I have seen him do these things at two masses so far. During the mass, he has been very reverent for the most part. But, is it normal for a priest to ask the congregation to say a blessing for him before he does his homily? Like ask everyone to “lay their hands” upon him? He also walks around as he does his homily, he doesn’t stay at the ambo(forgive me if that isn’t the correct term) And then of course he uses that phrase during his homily “Can I get an AMEN?”. It just makes me feel uncomfortable.

Are any of these things problematic? I just haven’t seen priests behave in this way. The other thing that worries me is that my main parish priest was his mentor before and I remember my main priest suggesting I get into a “civil marriage to see if things work out” when I was in my last relationship

I am just asking an honest question, I don’t want to assume the worst in anyone.

God bless

It sounds quite funny. Is he a comedian? We only have bog standard priests in our parish.

 

[ethereality]

I think you’re right to have those red flags go off, OP. Did he really say to get a civil marriage as a trial? He was encouraging you to possibly commit grave sin!

 

[jenlovesyu]

I think you’re right to have those red flags go off, OP. Did he really say to get a civil marriage as a trial? He was encouraging you to possibly commit grave sin!

Yes it was actually my pastor who told me this a few months ago. At first I didn’t think he was serious but yeah his words were pretty clear Thankfully I knew better.

However, I am going to continue attending my parish. I am too stubborn to give up on it so suddenly. If really REALLY strange things start happening (things which are obviously against Church teaching/law), I will definitely bring it up with my pastor and finally with my bishop in the event my priest doesn’t try and fix the issue.

 

[benedictgal]

Here is what the GIRM notes about from where the homily should be delivered:

1. The priest, standing at the chair or at the ambo itself or, when appropriate, in another suitable place, gives the homily. When the homily is completed, a period of silence may be observed.

Note, though, that it doesn’t necessariliy say that it can be given while walking up and down the aisle.

Now, regarding th directory for Masses with Children, the document notes that:

1. The homily explaining the word of God should be given great prominence in all Masses with children. Sometimes the homily intended for children should become a dialogue with them, unless it is preferred that they should listen in silence.

However, again, just because a dialogue is allowed, that does not mean that the celebrant should be pulling a talk-show host mode of operation and walk up and down the aisle. Furthermore, the children should make up the majority of the faithful (meaning way over 50%).

 

[zab]

Thanks for the references. My pastor does a wonderful job in his homilies at the children’s school Masses. He does stand in the aile. He may address children on one side and then the other. He may take a few steps back and forth, but he doesn’t walk up and down the length of the aisle. He is just closer to the children so it is easier to enter into a little dialog with them before giving his short homily. And it is great for the adults in attendance as well.