Leaving church after recieving communion

[Eric_Olsen]

Sorry if this thread is a repeat but what I find anoying in the Philadelphia Archdiocese( not sure if this is wide spread ) is that people, sometimes in droves, leave right after communion before the final blessing. I think this is disrespectful. what are your thoughts?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Sorry if this thread is a repeat but what I find anoying in the Philadelphia Archdiocese( not sure if this is wide spread ) is that people, sometimes in droves, leave right after communion before the final blessing. I think this is disrespectful. what are your thoughts?

I agree. It has been said “Only Judas left the Last Supper early!!”

 

[stbruno]

Seems like dejuvu in the Chicago diocese. Scary but true. Are they afraid they may have to deal with the people in the parking lot or the ushers passing a second collection or don’t want to hear the announcments? Or they might have to talk or socialize with someone after mass?

Mass isn’t over till it’s over. More reasons to pray.

 

[SMHW]

Sorry if this thread is a repeat but what I find anoying in the Philadelphia Archdiocese( not sure if this is wide spread ) is that people, sometimes in droves, leave right after communion before the final blessing. I think this is disrespectful. what are your thoughts?

I certainly agree with you.

As to whether or not it is widespread, if intenet forums had been around one hundred years ago this thread might have been the first.

 

[benedictgal]

This past weekend, my dad and I went to Mass at another parish. During Mass, my dad’s back started hurting him. Just after the non sum dignum (Lord, I am not worthy), my dad whispered in my ear that he was going to head for the Jeep after receiving Holy Communion because he was in pain and the heated seats would help him. Immediately after he said that, the celebrant announced that he had noticed that there were some folks (usually the same ones) who left Mass immediately after receiving Holy Communion. He added that the Mass isn’t over until he processes out the door. My dad’s eyes got big, but, he understood.

Now, I can understand someone like my dad leaving after Holy Communion if he is not feeling well (the week before, I went to Mass and started getting a full-blown migraine, but, I had to tough it out), but, others who simply wanting to dart out early just to get out isn’t right.

Needless to say, we were one of the first ones by the door as the priest processed out and, because the Jeep was parked in the handicap section (my dad has a disability), he got into the Jeep and turned on the heated seats.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Isn’t the Mass over when the priest says the Mass is over (as in the final prayer/blessing) and not based on his processing out?

 

[benedictgal]

Isn’t the Mass over when the priest says the Mass is over (as in the final prayer/blessing) and not based on his processing out?

Yeppers! What was worse was that in both occasions, we couldn’t leave because he went through almost all of the verses of the recessional hymn. Mind you, the previous weekend, I was in a lot of pain and wanted to go home and take my zomig and just vegetate. In fact, after we got home, I collapsed on top of my bed (after taking the meds) and didn’t wake up until about 8AM (I plopped down at 6PM). My dad got home (of course, the back pain came from over-extending himself with the yard) and took his meds and conked out.

Now, neither of us do not like leaving Mass early. It’s not right. But, these two late Saturday afternoons were rather painful. It was stranger the Saturday prior because the celebrant’s homily lasted almost ONE HOUR. But, we toughed it out

 

[Eilish_Maura]

On other forums I have seen suggestions that amount to bullying folks who try to leave Mass early.

One went so far as to say the doors should be locked until the priest is ready to process out.

I know I would not tolerate that kind of behavior as a way to get people to stay till the end of mass.

 

[benedictgal]

On other forums I have seen suggestions that amount to bullying folks who try to leave Mass early.

One went so far as to say the doors should be locked until the priest is ready to process out.

I know I would not tolerate that kind of behavior as a way to get people to stay till the end of mass.

I know the celebrant of the Masses I’ve attended and he’s a good friend. But, I don’t think he would resort to that. Although, I am not going to suggest it to him.

There are, however, times when, even though you don’t want to leave early, you have to leave. But, it’s the ones who don’t have a good excuse who really abuse it.

 

[Rosewith]

On other forums I have seen suggestions that amount to bullying folks who try to leave Mass early.

One went so far as to say the doors should be locked until the priest is ready to process out.

I know I would not tolerate that kind of behavior as a way to get people to stay till the end of mass.

The Fire Marshal will shut the church down if he does this.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

The Fire Marshal will shut the church down if he does this.

If it was tried in any parish I attended I would openly challenge it.

We cannot bully people into staying till the final blessing never mind till the priest processes out or the last verse of the recessional.

 

[KofC_SirKnight]

If it was tried in any parish I attended I would openly challenge it.

We cannot bully people into staying till the final blessing never mind till the priest processes out or the last verse of the recessional.

Unless there is a legitimate reason, I would think that after experiencing the greatest miracle that Christ gave us while here on earth, common courtesy and respect would prevail.

Richard

 

[ac_claire]

On other forums I have seen suggestions that amount to bullying folks who try to leave Mass early.
One went so far as to say the doors should be locked until the priest is ready to process out.
I know I would not tolerate that kind of behavior as a way to get people to stay till the end of mass.

Regardless of what other people may be saying on “other threads”, nobody is advocating anythng like that here. So it doesn’t need to be defended.

The way I’ve always understood it, mass isn’t over until the procession is out the door AND the last word of the closing hymn has been sung. I don’t leave till then.

Now, what about getting run over in the aisle when you’re trying to genuflect?

 

[Eilish_Maura]

The way I’ve always understood it, mass isn’t over until the procession is out the door AND the last word of the closing hymn has been sung. I don’t leave till then.

But is this the actual truth of it?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Isn’t the Mass over when the priest says the Mass is over (as in the final prayer/blessing) and not based on his processing out?

The Mass is over when the priest leaves the sanctuary in my opinion. I have also heard it said that the Mass is from the sign of the Cross to the sign of the Cross.

 

[Digitonomy]

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that there is nothing wrong with receiving communion without attending the mass. You can waltz in, get in line, receive the Eucharist, and dart back out again. If you get there early, you can sit through part of the Eucharistic Prayer. Obviously this is more common in cities, where people are likely to be walking by on their lunch hour. I’ve never had the opportunity to do this, or figured out the timing required on a day when this fit into my schedule. But while it’s better to attend a full mass, it’s still good to receive the Eucharist if circumstance puts you in a position to do so.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

The Mass is over when the priest leaves the sanctuary in my opinion. I have also heard it said that the Mass is from the sign of the Cross to the sign of the Cross.

I was taught that when the priest says “the mass is ended…” the Mass is over and that it did not include the processing out or any recessional hymn.

 

[ac_claire]

But is this the actual truth of it?

I don’t think that waiting till the hymn is over is the “rule”. The standard seems to be when the procession leaves the sanctuary. I don’t know if there’s any official statement in the GIRM or anywhere else that addresses this specifically. (Can anyone verify that?)

I wait till we’re done singing the hymn because I think it’s good manners. Why even have a closing hymn if everyone’s going to rush out before it’s over?

I’d say maybe 50% of the people at the less-traditional parish I attend and 80% at the more traditional (the Cathedral) wait until the hymn is over. Even still, the jangle of keys start to echo through the sanctuary as soon as communion ends.

I assume most of the early-leavers want to beat the parking lot traffic jam, or avoid getting trampled in the aisle. Also, the announcements at the less traditional parish I attend can be very lengthy and repetitive. It’s like a 2nd little mini-homily. Apparently I do need to be reminded about the upcoming Fun Fest picnic every single week for 3 months in advance. (And the whole point of the bulletin is…?)

I guess that’s just a personal pet peeve.

 

[KofC_SirKnight]

I was taught that when the priest says “the mass is ended…” the Mass is over and that it did not include the processing out or any recessional hymn.

I don’t believe you “were taught” that previous to Vatican II. At the “Ite, Missa Est”, the final blessing had not been given as of yet. The blessing followed that “dismissal”.

Richard

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I don’t believe you “were taught” that previous to Vatican II. At the “Ite, Missa Est”, the final blessing had not been given as of yet. The blessing followed that “dismissal”.

Richard

I do not believe this thread is focused on or limited to pre-VII and I do not believe you should be personalizing the comments this way.