Leaving Mass After Communion

[FrStevenJones]

You are claiming a person leaving early after receiving Communion does not receive the full grace of the Eucharist. That is simply untrue.
You may not receive the full grace of the Mass in its entirety but that has no affect on the grace of the Eucharist.
You should not be making such assertions.

Thistle, I have given a number of good reasons, in this thread, as to why leaving Mass early can indeed deprive one of the full graces of the Eucharist. I also must insist that you respect my point of view, as a priest. Do not edge towards personal attacks. Rather, argue from reason. I do insist on this.

Another example might help: if one leaves early because (because!!!) they don’t believe Christ is truly present at the Mass, for example, they would not receive the graces of the sacrament. However, if one leaves for a good reason, such as their child is sick, that is not a problem and certainly would not deprive them of any graces, whether from reception of the Blessed Sacrament, or otherwise!

 

[thistle]

Thistle, I have given a number of good reasons, in this thread, as to why leaving Mass early can indeed deprive one of the full graces of the Eucharist. I also must insist that you respect my point of view, as a priest. Do not edge towards personal attacks. Rather, argue from reason. I do insist on this.

Another example might help: if one leaves early because (because!!!) they don’t believe Christ is truly present at the Mass, for example, they would not receive the graces of the sacrament. However, if one leaves for a good reason, such as their child is sick, that is not a problem and certainly would not deprive them of any graces, whether from reception of the Blessed Sacrament, or otherwise!

With all due respect to you, I asked a priest friend of mine about this and while he agreed one should not leave Mass early for no good reasons, otherwise it is certainly disrespectful he said you do NOT lose the full grace of the Eucharist.
The fact he is of a different view means it is not as clear cut as you are saying as I have now have two opposing opinions.

 

[FrStevenJones]

With all due respect to you, I asked a priest friend of mine about this and while he agreed one should not leave Mass early for no good reasons, otherwise it is certainly disrespectful he said you do NOT lose the full grace of the Eucharist.
The fact he is of a different view means it is not as clear cut as you are saying as I have now have two opposing opinions.

I will describe it amother way.The graces from the sacrament cannot bear fruit in one who doesn’t have the required disposition. The full graces are produced by the sacrament itself but if we are not disposed to receive and cooperate with them their effects are limited or even eliminated. That is not my opinion, that is right from CCC 1134.

Later on, if our disposition improves, then the grace of the sacrament can have its full effects on us.

In effect, graces cannot have fruit in a closed and hardened heart. Even the Eucharist requires our cooperation for it’s graces to effect us. Of course the sacrament produces them, but a closed disposition cannot receive them and be effected by them like a properly disposed person can.That’s my last (name removed by moderator)ut on the matter. Peace to you.

 

[chimo]

I once heard on a talk show that if you leave straight after communion you will not receive the appropriate graces from the Eucharist. You must wait until the priest gives the final benediction in order to receive the full grace from the Eucharist. Is this true?

I guess it would probably be more on if this person continually does this on why have you come to this Church to receive? If you only come out of habit the Eucharist is not going to work with you. A person who actually leaves during the Mass or the Divine Liturgy before the end is probably not going to take this Eucharist into the world if he or she continually does this. If the Eucharist is going to make a mark into your life than you will attend to all of it. Anyone who doesn’t wish to attend to all of it (here I mean continually) must question their own intentions of coming. If it is only done very rarely I do not think it would be a problem since they are many good reasons why one needs to leave during a Mass or a Divine Liturgy.

 

[KrazyKat]

I will describe it amother way.The graces from the sacrament cannot bear fruit in one who doesn’t have the required disposition. The full graces are produced by the sacrament itself but if we are not disposed to receive and cooperate with them their effects are limited or even eliminated. That is not my opinion, that is right from CCC 1134.

Later on, if our disposition improves, then the grace of the sacrament can have its full effects on us.

In effect, graces cannot have fruit in a closed and hardened heart. Even the Eucharist requires our cooperation for it’s graces to effect us. Of course the sacrament produces them, but a closed disposition cannot receive them and be effected by them like a properly disposed person can.That’s my last (name removed by moderator)ut on the matter. Peace to you.

The Lord our God knows our disposition, and only Him, the hard hearted are the ones who judge others.

 

[Brendan_64]

Sorry, an oversight on my part. But I know not once I’ve heard appeals from different organizations during the sermon. A lot of times before Mass as well.

If it is during the sermon (or just before or just after the sermon) then that is liturgical abuse. It is clearly stated as such to Redemptionis Sacramentum, and as a member of the laity you have the right to have the Liturgy carried out according to the norms of the Church.

 

[InLight247]

I will describe it amother way.The graces from the sacrament cannot bear fruit in one who doesn’t have the required disposition. The full graces are produced by the sacrament itself but if we are not disposed to receive and cooperate with them their effects are limited or even eliminated. That is not my opinion, that is right from CCC 1134.

Later on, if our disposition improves, then the grace of the sacrament can have its full effects on us.

In effect, graces cannot have fruit in a closed and hardened heart. Even the Eucharist requires our cooperation for it’s graces to effect us. Of course the sacrament produces them, but a closed disposition cannot receive them and be effected by them like a properly disposed person can.That’s my last (name removed by moderator)ut on the matter. Peace to you.

I totally agree with what you have said. Same grace may be given to different people, but each individual response results in an individual effect. There is obvious difference between a person who gives his thanksgiving and delves in communion with God, and a person who walks out to the parking lot after receiving.

In addition to the CCC you have mentioned, here are more :

CCC1140: Liturgy … touches individual members of the Church in different ways, depending on their actual participation in them.

CCC1141: all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebration which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.

Priest is Persona Christi in the Sacrament. Mass does not end until the final blessing granted by the Persona Christi. Leaving early makes the participation of the Sacrament incomplete.

Of course the Lord knows our heart. As you said earlier, there is no problem if occasionally we must leave with legitimate reason. The discussion here is about those who regularly leave after receiving the Eucharist. In the Garden of Gethsemane when the disciples fell into sleep, Jesus said, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” The disciples were exhausted by their anguish, their spirit was willing but flesh was weak. For those who leave after Communion as a habit, what are their excuses? Cutting corner and unwilling to spend a minute longer in the Lord’s presence have already expressed their heart.

The purpose of joining a faith related forum is to learn; at least that’s what I think. But I see many simply enjoy arguing. They ignore the Church’s teaching and must say the last word. They can call words spoken in truth and love as hard hatred. That is how the secular society is, but it is sad to see CAF members act this way. That’s why I pray for the conversion of sinners (myself included) everyday with the Rosary. May the Lord have mercy on us !

And Father, thank you for all your teaching! May God bless all your work!

 

[Vasallus]

Our pastor is considering putting up a sign at the back of the church that reads: “The first one to leave the Last Supper was Judas.”

 

[Rae8]

It seems a bit wrong somehow to me. Perhaps a bit selfish?

One day, my husband and I had something that we needed to do and I suggested we could gain some time if we left straight after communion like I see a lot of people do. But when it came time to take communion, I just didn’t have the heart to do that and neither did he. Yet, there are people I see each and every week who never go back to their seats. I’m not sure if its because they want to beat the traffic out of the parking lot or feel the mass is over after communion.

If it WERE important though, why don’t the priests say something about it?

 

[KrazyKat]

Have read all the posts and realize that if I am unable to stay for the entire Mass then it is more prudent to not attend at all. No blessing for you sinner, stay home and seek your blessings and grace elsewhere.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

 

[Vasallus]

It seems a bit wrong somehow to me. Perhaps a bit selfish?

One day, my husband and I had something that we needed to do and I suggested we could gain some time if we left straight after communion like I see a lot of people do. But when it came time to take communion, I just didn’t have the heart to do that and neither did he. Yet, there are people I see each and every week who never go back to their seats. I’m not sure if its because they want to beat the traffic out of the parking lot or feel the mass is over after communion.

If it WERE important though, why don’t the priests say something about it?

See KrazyKat’s post.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Have read all the posts and realize that if I am unable to stay for the entire Mass then it is more prudent to not attend at all. No blessing for you sinner, stay home and seek your blessings and grace elsewhere.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

This is a straw man.

Speaking for myself, I have never stated that someone who must leave Mass after receiving communion would be better off not coming, and I don’t see where anyone else said that either.

What is at issue here is not the leaving early, but the why, and the intention of that why.

When I have had to leave early, which I can say has only happened 3 times in nearly 10 years, I felt very bad about it, but things are just out of my control and usually work related.

On the other hand, I have left Mass early more than 3 times in the past 10 years because something that happened that I didn’t like- usually the song selection, the homily (or the person giving it), finding myself at the “dreaded children’s Mass”, and a plethora of other excuses I have used over the years to justify my actions.

That is the difference! One is being responsible, and honoring commitments, while honoring God, the other is honoring myself, and my own needs and not the needs of God or those of the other people in my community. I am not sure how anyone can think I would receive the full graces of the Eucharist with an attitude like the latter, but that’s just me.

 

[Rae8]

See KrazyKat’s post.

Thanks. If they don’t have time to complete it, why are they there? It seems like they just want to grab and go.

I shouldn’t judge. But priests should mention it don’t you think?

(I read somewhere, (maybe it was here) about a priest who saw this man do this all the time and finally decided to do something. He got his altar boys to form a procession behind the man and they all followed him to his business and the man got the message and never did it again. It must have been a very small town before cars. )

 

[Rae8]

On the other hand, I have left Mass early more than 3 times in the past 10 years because something that happened that I didn’t like- usually the song selection, the homily (or the person giving it), finding myself at the “dreaded children’s Mass”, and a plethora of other excuses I have used over the years to justify my actions.

That is the difference! One is being responsible, and honoring commitments, while honoring God, the other is honoring myself, and my own needs and not the needs of God or those of the other people in my community. I am not sure how anyone can think I would receive the full graces of the Eucharist with an attitude like the latter, but that’s just me.

Yes, there is a difference as you say. I agree. And God looks at the heart and intent.

 

[FrStevenJones]

I totally agree with what you have said. Same grace may be given to different people, but each individual response results in an individual effect. There is obvious difference between a person who gives his thanksgiving and delves in communion with God, and a person who walks out to the parking lot after receiving.

In addition to the CCC you have mentioned, here are more :

Priest is Persona Christi in the Sacrament. Mass does not end until the final blessing granted by the Persona Christi. Leaving early makes the participation of the Sacrament incomplete.

Of course the Lord knows our heart. As you said earlier, there is no problem if occasionally we must leave with legitimate reason. The discussion here is about those who regularly leave after receiving the Eucharist. In the Garden of Gethsemane when the disciples fell into sleep, Jesus said, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” The disciples were exhausted by their anguish, their spirit was willing but flesh was weak. For those who leave after Communion as a habit, what are their excuses? Cutting corner and unwilling to spend a minute longer in the Lord’s presence have already expressed their heart.

The purpose of joining a faith related forum is to learn; at least that’s what I think. But I see many simply enjoy arguing. They ignore the Church’s teaching and must say the last word. They can call words spoken in truth and love as hard hatred. That is how the secular society is, but it is sad to see CAF members act this way. That’s why I pray for the conversion of sinners (myself included) everyday with the Rosary. May the Lord have mercy on us !

And Father, thank you for all your teaching! May God bless all your work!

You are welcome InLight and I thank you for your insightful and faithful points, well done!

 

[ProVobis]

Yet, there are people I see each and every week who never go back to their seats.

Yes, but you can still technically assist at Mass without going back to your “seat.” I imagine there are other claustrophobics like me who just like to stand outside the pew sections to avoid the communion congestion. Physically walking out of the Church altogether, however, is another matter.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Mass is not over until the final blessing. So we must stay out of obedience and love for God, and respect for His Mass. If a person left early because of an emergency, not a problem. But one who intentionally leaves early will be depriving themselves of grace, due to a their lack of obedience and lack of full respect for God’s gifts of the Holy Mass.

When I attended Mass at a Roman parish, it was noted in the parish bulletin the priest should be the last to enter and the first to leave. I’ve seen people receive and not go back to their seat but head out the door. Others leave after the priest says the Mass has ended. Once on a Christmas Eve I recall a couple sitting in front of me who even left before Communion. The man sitting next to me said in a sarcastic tone, “Bye, see you next year” That did trouble me as I thought he should have been happy the couple were at least there. . But I also remember an occasion when after the final blessing, the priest didn’t depart right away but stayed around to chat with some of the children. Most everyone left before the priest. So it’s not true he is to be the last to enter and first to leave?

 

[thequietsinger]

When I attended Mass at a Roman parish, it was noted in the parish bulletin the priest should be the last to enter and the first to leave. I’ve seen people receive and not go back to their seat but head out the door. Others leave after the priest says the Mass has ended. Once on a Christmas Eve I recall a couple sitting in front of me who even left before Communion. The man sitting next to me said in a sarcastic tone, “Bye, see you next year” That did trouble me as I thought he should have been happy the couple were at least there. . But I also remember an occasion when after the final blessing, the priest didn’t depart right away but stayed around to chat with some of the children. Most everyone left before the priest. So it’s not true he is to be the last to enter and first to leave?

The man sitting next to you had no business saying that. For all we know, there could have been an emergency that the couple found out about by a text message, and they had to leave right away, or they’re trying to return to the Church if they attend only a couple times a year, and thought attending a few different parishes would be a good start to find a priest that would be right for them. She could have even gotten sick suddenly, and had to leave right away.

I know leaving Mass early, even when you’re sick, hurts everyone in some way. I got sick to the point of nearly passing out because of the heat (old Church in mid July). It couldn’t have happened at a worse time, as it was a Mass that the Bishop was conducting. I knew if I stayed I would have passed out, which would have been bad since no one joined me for the morning Mass, yet I had a hard time leaving. I ended up leaving during Communion, and learned later on that he wanted to speak with me after Mass was over. :doh2: So, no matter how sick I am, I will never leave Mass early again. Not ever. :dts: