Late for Mass? How late is too late?

[cominghomeCC]

I am wondering, at what point is too late for mass?

I sit in church, I am wired to be early for everything, and watch people. Most times, people come 5 minutes early as the procession is getting ready. Then people are continue coming. sometimes it’s after offerings.

At what point would it be simply better to just wait for the next mass?

Today, I was late today, ordinarily I’d just waited to go to the next mass due to scheduling, but my girls have CIC and Sr. was teaching them today. I was there before the first reading, just as they sang kyrie eleison. I had the littlest with me, and the older was dropped off by her brother. Had we been really late, we’d have sat at the office, and read the readings ourselves, and met Sr for the class then attend the next mass.

I felt horrified to have not been there on time. however on a non teaching day, we’d have gone the night before or to the 12:30 mass instead.

Sr. was so happy to see my oldest there and she relayed the message that we were coming, and until dd8 and I arrived she was the ONLY cic child out of 10 to be there. Sr. had called every body this week all said they were coming, and my 2 were the only ones to attend.

The kids were very excited. Sr. had little gifts for them. DD8 got a medallion of Mary, on a chain and a statue of St. Anne and Mary as a little girl. DD12 got a crucifix on a chain, a bracelet with square beads and pictures of saints and a statue of St. Joseph holding Jesus. They were really excited to receive them. Which surprised me at how enthusiastic dd12 is, she’s so luke warm about so many things. After mass, Sr found Fr. to bless them. He rounded up a few other kids and did a group blessing in a ‘team huddle’. He’s so funny.

Great day for us, I’m a little sad that more of the kids didn’t come, as my crew had fun, and the others missed out.

 

[Nelka]

We were always told to be there at the latest to hear the first reading.

Today I saw someone come in during Communion and go straight up to receive.

 

[MarkThompson]

It is fine – assuming your entrance or exit is not disruptive – to come and go at any time. There is nothing particularly wrong with arriving just in time for Communion, and then leaving afterward (though it would be good to take the time to get into an appropriately prayerful mindset).

A completely different question is how much of the Mass a person must attend to meet his or her Sunday obligation. The Church has steadfastly refused to answer this question (because it would sound like a license to skip anything besides the absolute minimum), but many people hold that being present from the Offertory to the priest’s Communion will satisfy the obligation. Others say from the Gospel.

This is why you cannot make any judgments just because you see someone arrive very late. If the Mass is not the one you intend to satisfy your obligation with, then you can come and go as you feel free – you have no obligation to be there in the first place, so a fortiori no obligation to be there before some particular point, or to remain until after some other point. And reception of Communion (unless it is your second time in one day) is not predicated on attendance at an entire Mass, so if you are visiting a church one day, see that a Mass is going on, and are in a sufficiently reverent state of mind to receive, there is no reason why you should not.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I am wondering, at what point is too late for mass?

I sit in church, I am wired to be early for everything, and watch people. Most times, people come 5 minutes early as the procession is getting ready. Then people are continue coming. sometimes it’s after offerings.

At what point would it be simply better to just wait for the next mass?

Today, I was late today, ordinarily I’d just waited to go to the next mass due to scheduling, but my girls have CIC and Sr. was teaching them today. I was there before the first reading, just as they sang kyrie eleison. I had the littlest with me, and the older was dropped off by her brother. Had we been really late, we’d have sat at the office, and read the readings ourselves, and met Sr for the class then attend the next mass.

I felt horrified to have not been there on time. however on a non teaching day, we’d have gone the night before or to the 12:30 mass instead.

Sr. was so happy to see my oldest there and she relayed the message that we were coming, and until dd8 and I arrived she was the ONLY cic child out of 10 to be there. Sr. had called every body this week all said they were coming, and my 2 were the only ones to attend.

The kids were very excited. Sr. had little gifts for them. DD8 got a medallion of Mary, on a chain and a statue of St. Anne and Mary as a little girl. DD12 got a crucifix on a chain, a bracelet with square beads and pictures of saints and a statue of St. Joseph holding Jesus. They were really excited to receive them. Which surprised me at how enthusiastic dd12 is, she’s so luke warm about so many things. After mass, Sr found Fr. to bless them. He rounded up a few other kids and did a group blessing in a ‘team huddle’. He’s so funny.

Great day for us, I’m a little sad that more of the kids didn’t come, as my crew had fun, and the others missed out.

There was that hunter who arrived at the end of the mass when the priest was blessing people away, he kneeled down, made the signal of the cross and said: “Uf, I almost did not arrive on time …!”

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

We were always told to be there at the latest to hear the first reading.

Today I saw someone come in during Communion and go straight up to receive.

I did that many times.
Without communion? Without Jesus? Not me !

 

[chevalier]

We were always told to be there at the latest to hear the first reading.

Today I saw someone come in during Communion and go straight up to receive.

Theoretically, the person receiving could still attend Mass at some other time during the day or have attended it. Mark Thompson provided the more intelligent reasoning above.

 

[Leegal]

I am wondering, at what point is too late for mass?

It used to be said that you had to be present by the time the Gloria is said – not after – not during – but before – for you to have fulfilled your duty to attend Mass. So, the Gloria was the rule. Of course, I don’t know what the answer is during Advent and Lent when the Gloria is not said.

As for others, we cannot judge or know. I went to Saturday Vigil last night; I could have attended any Mass today at any time.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

It used to be said that you had to be present by the time the Gloria is said – not after – not during – but before – for you to have fulfilled your duty to attend Mass. So, the Gloria was the rule. Of course, I don’t know what the answer is during Advent and Lent when the Gloria is not said.

As for others, we cannot judge or know. I went to Saturday Vigil last night; I could have attended any Mass today at any time.

I agree. That is what I was taught by the “Jebbies” pre-V II. I think if it was valid then, so it must be valid today. I think it is just, that it has not been taught after the so-called reforms of the 60’s and 70’s, for fear of driving people away.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

And I heard that one had to be there before the chalice veil came off the chalice.

 

[kmuestwin]

I was always told that if you werent there for the gospel reading, the mass did not fulfil your obligation.

 

[Georgia]

As a former Fundamentalist, this one always bothers me. When we started church on Sunday, no one came in late, no one. It was considered rude, but I had always heard we should try to emulate Catholics on respect for the service.

When I crossed the Tiber, I was in a town where people get there early. Now, I see people showing up whenever. Half an hour late with another mass coming up in less than an hour isn’t too unusual. IMHO, loads of people showing up late will, by nature, be disruptive. It’s impossible to concentrate on the readings when people are pushing through to their seats.

One or two people late, fine, but forty or more Sunday after Sunday indicates something other than one flat tire. If you are running late for anything other than the Sunday evening mass, there are always others where you can get there on time. One nearby pastor very often calls it a sin to arrive late and to leave early. I don’t argue.

 

[beth40n2]

My sponsor told me that if you were no there for the whole gospel, you should not go up for communion.

I am usually early, only once in 7 years have I been late enough to get there right before the gospel and it had with car problems.

My church does change times in the summer and we are a small church with only one mass, as my priest has 3 parishes. I did get to church over an hour late once in the time change, thinking I was going to be early, and here people were leaving. I was almost in tears as I had missed Jesus and that meant driving 60 miles to another parish. I walked into the sacristy to appologise to the priest and he could see I was upset, and he knew I never missed. He took time to take me the tabernacle, we did a quick communion like he does for sick homebound people and he gave me communion by myself. I was so blessed.

 

[petrel]

Where is the respect today?
We would not arrive late to ceremony to coronate a Queen. Surely the Mass is more important than that. The liturgy is all designed to prepare us to receive the blessed sacrament. Therefore to be late means that we are not being completely prepared to receive the blessed sacrament.

Also I notice the rush of people to leave the church even before the Holy Scriptures, Priest and Cross leave. This is done in order to beat the traffic out of the car park and to avoid having to shake the hand of the priest. So in other words the first deed done after receiving the blessed sacrament is a work of dishonour. Then there is the guy at our parish who sits in the back row and plays on his mobile phone. At least he switches the sound off but I really wonder why these disrespectful people even bother to come.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I am wondering, at what point is too late for mass?

I sit in church, I am wired to be early for everything, and watch people. Most times, people come 5 minutes early as the procession is getting ready. Then people are continue coming. sometimes it’s after offerings.

It is best to stop watching people and noting when they come and go. As you discovered yourself, even with the best intentions it is possible to be late for Mass. Try your best to tune out the movements of others. Assume the best motives for any that you do notice even then.

Watching and wondering about other people can disturb our peace as we prepare for Mass. Tuning them out helps us put our hearts and attention on the Mass.

 

[cominghomeCC]

I likely didn’t phrase that correctly. It’s hard not to notice, when they disrupt to the point Fr stops speaking. Fr. has preached about arriving late and leaving early, on more than one occasion since September.

So I was wondering, where the ‘cut-off’ is. At what point would I need to decide to just wait until the next service in order to fulfill my Sunday obligation, since it does appear in a few of the examination of conscience.

If one were to decide by what can be observed, it doesn’t matter when you arrive or leave, as so much as making an appearance. I grew up going mostly with my grandmother, we arrived early, watched for friends or family to sit with them. We’d be in a pew before music started. We never left until after the final hymn was completed. So this is different for me.

I understand that things can happen to make anyone late,. Traffic issues, children, work, etc. Absolutely, it happens. I’ve had it happen, too, but I plan for the next mass then. So the questions is… when is too late, when is it best to simply go the next mass?

 

[Leegal]

I likely didn’t phrase that correctly. It’s hard not to notice, when they disrupt to the point Fr stops speaking. Fr. has preached about arriving late and leaving early, on more than one occasion since September.

So I was wondering, where the ‘cut-off’ is. At what point would I need to decide to just wait until the next service in order to fulfill my Sunday obligation, since it does appear in a few of the examination of conscience.

If one were to decide by what can be observed, it doesn’t matter when you arrive or leave, as so much as making an appearance. I grew up going mostly with my grandmother, we arrived early, watched for friends or family to sit with them. We’d be in a pew before music started. We never left until after the final hymn was completed. So this is different for me.

I understand that things can happen to make anyone late,. Traffic issues, children, work, etc. Absolutely, it happens. I’ve had it happen, too, but I plan for the next mass then. So the questions is… when is too late, when is it best to simply go the next mass?

Maybe this will answer your question. It’s from the apologistis section:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=178626&postcount=2

 

[cominghomeCC]

I don’t know what the Gloria is. That’s not something i’ve heard at mass. At what point of the service is that?

 

[cominghomeCC]

Maybe this will answer your question. It’s from the apologistis section:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=178626&postcount=2

Excellent!! Thank you.

 

[HonoraDominum]

Once, before Daily Mass, I had a 911 emergency in my building and had to wait for the ambulance to come before I could leave for mass. I walked in literally as Father was putting his hand in the tabernacle to take out the ciborium during the third Confeteor. I did not receive, but afterwards, I went to confession, and after confessing I asked Father this same question. He said that because Daily Mass is not required, I can walk in as late as I did and still receive communion as long as I feel properly recollected and am in a state of grace to receive. If I needed to for time reasons, I could even come in, receive, and walk right out. However, as far as fulfilling a Sunday obligation, a person should not be late unless there is a true emergency or act of charity going on (like I had with my 911 call) and even then a person should make it in before the offertory for it to count. Seeing as how the mass is an offering to God of his only son, Jesus Christ, the offertory is beginning of the most important part of the mass, the recreation of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Being there when the priest is offering his gifts to God allows you (and your intentions) to be included in the sacrifice.

 

[HonoraDominum]

In the EF, these are the words that the priests say over the host and chalice when offering the gifts:

The Priest takes the paten with the host, and offering it up, says:

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens ætérne Deus, hanc
immaculátam hóstiam, quam ego indígnus fámulus tuus óffero tibi
Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabílibus peccátis, et
offensiónibus, et neglegéntiis meis, et pro ómnibus
circumstántibus, sed et pro ómnibus fidélibus christiánis vivis
atque defúnctis: ut mihi, et illis profíciat ad salútem in vitam
ætérnam. Amen.

[Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this unspotted
host, which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living
and true God, for my innumerable sins, offenses, and negligences,
and for all here present: as also for all faithful Christians, both
living and dead, that it may avail both me and them for salvation
unto life everlasting. Amen.]

Making the Sign of the Cross with the paten, he places the host upon the corporeal.
He pours wine and water into the chalice, blessing the water before it is mixed.

Deus, qui humánæ substántiæ dignitátem mirabíliter condidísti, et
mirabílius reformásti: da nobis per huius aquæ et vini mystérium,
eius divinitátis esse consórtes, qui humanitátis nostræ fíeri
dignátus est párticeps, Iesus Christus, Fílius tuus, Dóminus noster:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus: per
ómnia saecula sæculórum. Amen.

[O God, who, in creating human nature, didst wonderfully
dignify it, and still more wonderfully restore it, grant that, by the
Mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His
divine nature, who vouchsafed to be made partaker of our human
nature, even Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, who with Thee,
liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God: world
without end. Amen.]

Then the Priest takes the chalice, and offers it, saying:

Offérimus tibi, Dómine, cálicem salutáris, tuam deprecántes
cleméntiam: ut in conspéctu divínæ maiestátis tuæ, pro nostra et
totíus mundi salute, cum odóre suavitátis ascéndat. Amen.

[We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching
Thy clemency, that it may ascend before Thy divine Majesty, as a
sweet savor, for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.]

The Priest makes the Sign of the Cross with the
chalice, places it upon the corporeal, and covers it with the pall.
Then, with his hands joined upon the Altar, and slightly bowing down, he says:

**In spíritu humilitátis et in ánimo contríto suscipiámur a te,
Dómine: et sic fiat sacrifícium nostrum in conspéctu tuo hódie, ut
pláceat tibi, Dómine Deus.

Veni, sanctificátor omnípotens ætérne Deus: et bene ☩** dic hoc
sacrifícium, tuo sancto nómini præparátum.

[Accept us, O Lord, in the spirit of humility and contrition of
heart, and grant that the sacrifice which we offer this day in Thy
sight may be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God.

Come, O almighty and eternal God, the Sanctifier, and bless [COLOR=“red”]☩

this
Sacrifice, prepared for the glory of Thy holy Name.]

In the OF, the words are:

The Priest, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly
raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.

Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal.
If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at
the end, the people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:

By the mystery of this water and wine
may we come to share in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

The Priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both
hands, saying in a low voice:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine
and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.

Then he places the chalice on the corporal
If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at
the end, the people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

After this, the Priest, bowing profoundly, says quietly:

With humble spirit and contrite heart
may we be accepted by you, O Lord,
and may our sacrifice in your sight this day
be pleasing to you, Lord God.