Leaving mass early common?

[newcalling]

I went to mass at a different parish yesterday so that I could go to an event in that city. I was somewhat surprised that about a third of the people arrived late, after the sprinkling rite, and almost half of the people in attendance left right after receiving the Eucharist. It was very noticeable because the chapel was packed before and there were empty pews after. I’ve heard a few homilies talking about why this practice is bad, but I never noticed it happening before. I figured it was one or two individuals typically in any one parish. Then again, this is only the fourth parish where I have attended mass (fifth if you count childhood.) I was just stunned by the sheer number who didn’t stay for the final blessing. I mean it went from some people not being able to find seats to half full/empty.

I should mention that this was in one of California’s historic missions, but my regular parish is in one too (the next one north from the one where I attended yesterday.) So, I doubt that it’s just tourists doing so.

 

[Polyphony]

In my own parish, I would say maybe ten percent leave directly after receiving Holy Communion. Maybe less, it’s hard to tell.

I have to admit that this bothers me, but I’ve tried lately to make excuses if tempted to be judgmental.

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

I’ve seen people walk out of Mass right after receiving Communion. The church I attend is still pretty full even at the end of Mass, so I’m guessing not many people leave early at the church I attend.

 

[pensmama87]

I have to admit that this bothers me, but I’ve tried lately to make excuses if tempted to be judgmental.

I try to do the same and it’s helped me both at Mass and with bad drivers on the road (as well as snippy folks, people who glare when you greet them…) You just never know. I had to leave early a few weeks ago because I got very sick very suddenly. We were visiting a parish and you bet I felt those eyes on me.

 

[Neofight]

I should mention that this was in one of California’s historic missions, but my regular parish is in one too (the next one north from the one where I attended yesterday.) So, I doubt that it’s just tourists doing so.

As a member of a one of California’s historic missions Parishes, I would like to point out that we refer to those non-parishioners attending Sunday Mass as guests, visitors, pilgrims, or brothers and sisters, but certainly not “tourists”.

PEACE AND ALL GOOD!

 

[Polyphony]

IYou just never know.

I’m sure lots of people leave because they don’t take their faith very seriously.

I’m also sure that I agree with a very simple idea: your bathroom mirror should have a note that reads be sure to mind your own business today.

 

[Usige]

Around here how common it is often revolves around which mass you attend. I’m often out in the narthex after the homily with on on my kids. Ever mass in our area has people that leave and come late, but certain masses seem to have a greater number (i.e. the front door doesn’t actually close because of the stream of people). I don’t know that there is a connection, but the mass that tends to draw the older crowd also has the most “pre-concluding rite activity” to put it nicely.

I know how disconcerting it can be when large numbers leave. A few months back we where sitting two or three pews from the back and had scooted in to let a number of late arrivals in. Our back pews seat between 20 - 30 people with normally maybe 10 - 15 people in each pew. On this particular day it was fairly packed by the beginning of the consecration. By the time we returned after receiving there were maybe 10 - 15 people besides us in the last 4 pews. At first I though I didn’t remember where we were sitting and had gone too far back. I don’t know why they all left, but I am hard pressed to make up a reason why 60+ people disappeared. Unfortunately as a Catholic I can’t even pretend it was the rapture and they were the holy ones taken to heaven.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Some of it may be because of the timing. It is possible that if attending an early Mass there are those that must go to work even on a Sunday…Peace.

 

[newcalling]

I think that I was able to keep from judging those who came late and left early, and if I did judge may God help me to do better. It was just disconcerting. The room felt very different afterwards. My friend and I were the only ones left in our pew and it was packed prior. We’ve only been Catholic just shy of a year now, so we hadn’t experienced that. I’m sure that they all had their reasons, and either way it’s between them and God. He knows their hearts and their schedules and such.

 

[Sunbreak]

I think it depends on the parish and area whether there are many people leaving early or not. In my parish, it is not very common for people to leave early.

 

[pianistclare]

HA! This cracks me up. Our parishioners don’t ever want to go home!
They stay until the Mass ends and then also AFTER MASS and talk and talk, and coffee, and talk, and talk…and coffee…

 

[DeniseNY]

I usually sit in the back, so I do see some people leaving early. Not that many, though. Some may unfortunately have to get to work and there are some who you can tell are tourists and maybe they feel they have limited time. Would it be preferable for them to stay all the way through mass? Of course! But, I try not to judge them or speculate too much on their motivations. They at least came to mass, right?

 

[Corki]

I’m sure lots of people leave because they don’t take their faith very seriously.

I’m also sure that I agree with a very simple idea: your bathroom mirror should have a note that reads be sure to mind your own business today.

First of all, welcome to CAF. There are some guidelines posted about being charitable on these forums. This post is quite possibly not in keeping with one of those guidelines - discuss the issues, not each other.

 

[esieffe]

Our Church is enormous, so it just would not do to have people coming in early and leaving late. Too much commotion. People are people, so when this trend does show up, the Priests start fussing, and some folks get their nose out of joint.

Mass is only one hour. While there are times when you just cant help it I suppose, if you can’t stay the full hour, go to another Mass where you can, or just don’t go. It is only one hour a week. I am glad the Priests talk about this, it is rude and disruptive when one third of the church is in movement during Mass.

I am fairly sure the Apostles would have been dressed down if they were coming and going during the Last Supper, or really any Supper with Our Lord.

Good topic OP.

 

[esieffe]

HA! This cracks me up. Our parishioners don’t ever want to go home!
They stay until the Mass ends and then also AFTER MASS and talk and talk, and coffee, and talk, and talk…and coffee…

I think I know what Church you are at… right up the interstate a few exits. Maybe I should add you guys to the rotation!

Sorry, for the off topic…

 

[Polyphony]

discuss the issues, not each other.

Maybe you misunderstood.

My comment about minding one’s own business wasn’t addressed to the poster I was responding to. I wasn’t telling HER to mind her own business.

It was meant to address those who would be judgmental of those who leave Mass early, without understanding why.

As the poster I responded to says, “you just never know,” and I quite agree.

 

[Deditus_Domina]

I think that it is pretty common for people to leave early. I don’t understand it generally but there is a lot of human behavior I don’t understand.

I wonder if the mass was longer than typical. Some of the historical churches get a bit more into the liturgy than the surrounding ones and they go longer. My fancy historic church (probably operated by the same folks as the mission you visited) has a mass 20 minutes longer than my neighborhood church. A lot of people don’t plan for that and sometimes people really have to go to the restroom after a 1.5 hr mass…

Fancy historic church loses 20-30% after communion. Neighborhood church loses about 10%. Not good either way - its like 5 more minutes people! 5 more minutes!

I try to sit towards the front so I can remain oblivious to the exodus. I don’t want to be tempted to judge or be distracted from God.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Maybe you misunderstood.

My comment about minding one’s own business wasn’t addressed to the poster I was responding to. I wasn’t telling HER to mind her own business.

It was meant to address those who would be judgmental of those who leave Mass early, without understanding why.

As the poster I responded to says, “you just never know,” and I quite agree.

I think will horn in here and infer that if someone does not take their faith seriously they wouldn’t show up for Mass at all or seldom. There are many valid reasons that someone needs to leave early. I know that once I had to bring a 90 yr. old person back into Mass, kicking and screaming, because she wheeled herself out right after communion and Sr. didn’t like it. I have never forgotten that, esp. because it was a nursing home. So…there are all kinds of reasons people must leave Mass. God is a loving, forgiving God and I pray that I was forgiven for forcing a frail, elderly person to stay until the last song was sung. Peace.