Leaving your seat during Mass and returning to it

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MissRose73

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I understand there may be times when you must leave your seat during Mass to use the bathroom (especially if the need comes during Mass without much warning & you cannot wait), change a baby’s diaper in the ladies’ room, or calm down a child as examples.

In your opinion, when those needs listed above or related are handled, when do you return to your seat? Does it matter where you were seated prior to your need to get up? (as I think if you sit closer to the front compared to the back or middle of the church.)

To me, I was raised to not come back until there was a time the people were standing especially if you had to get up while people were still seated if possible. Also, to not leave during the Consecration unless it was very urgent to do so to handle such things listed in my first paragraph.
 
MissRose73 said:
I understand there may be times when you must leave your seat during Mass to use the bathroom (especially if the need comes during Mass without much warning & you cannot wait), change a baby’s diaper in the ladies’ room, or calm down a child as examples.

In your opinion, when those needs listed above or related are handled, when do you return to your seat? Does it matter where you were seated prior to your need to get up? (as I think if you sit closer to the front compared to the back or middle of the church.)

To me, I was raised to not come back until there was a time the people were standing especially if you had to get up while people were still seated if possible. Also, to not leave during the Consecration unless it was very urgent to do so to handle such things listed in my first paragraph.
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My rule is not to bother people and silence as much as I can.
If there is singing and movement and agitation, then your move is less noticed.
 
I return at transition points even if there is no commotion such as standing. For example, between Psalm and Epistle.
 
I just saw something like this last week that made me smile. A little boy-no more than 10, left the pew, I assumed to use the rest room. He returned during the Consecration. Instead of entering the pew and disturbing the folks sitting there-he simply knelt on the floor at the end of the row near the aisle until everyone stood for the Our Father. Someone has taught this little boy well.
 
Just wait in the narthex until you won’t distract anyone. Also, if it is very crowded near the front, where I usually sit, then when I return I will slip into an empty back pew instead of disturbing those in my original pew. But I wouldn’t do that if it were equally crowded front and back. Habits, I guess.
 
Our parish has great ushers, and they give people the cue as to when to return to seats with the least disruption in the Mass.

If you have ushers, maybe it could be something incorporated into training.

Wow, there’s a great parish ministry to get involved in!

Pax
 
Seeker1961 said:
I just saw something like this last week that made me smile. A little boy-no more than 10, left the pew, I assumed to use the rest room. He returned during the Consecration. Instead of entering the pew and disturbing the folks sitting there-he simply knelt on the floor at the end of the row near the aisle until everyone stood for the Our Father. Someone has taught this little boy well.
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Such an expression of respect from a child so young. I pray he inspired some adults. I agree, someone has taught this young man very well.
 
Just get out and and come back as you normally would.
 
MissRose73 said:
To me, I was raised to not come back until there was a time the people were standing especially if you had to get up while people were still seated if possible. Also, to not leave during the Consecration unless it was very urgent to do so to handle such things listed in my first paragraph.
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I was taught this, too. I know there is no universal rule, but it’s a good custom and I’ll teach it to my children, too.
 
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