Mass at an Airport

[mellowcalico]

Does anyone know how long Mass at an airport might be? I am traveling for my job this Saturday and have to work on Sunday at a trade show (I found out from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm). I thought I wasn’t going to be able to make it to Mass at all with those times. But guess what, I did a little digging and the airport I will be flying out of offers Catholic Mass at 5:45! I need to board my flight at 6:40 and think I should have enough time if Mass at the airport is shorter than Mass in my Church (which usually runs over an hour). Does anyone know or have an idea? Thanks!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Does anyone know how long Mass at an airport might be? I am traveling for my job this Saturday and have to work on Sunday at a trade show (I found out from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm). I thought I wasn’t going to be able to make it to Mass at all with those times. But guess what, I did a little digging and the airport I will be flying out of offers Catholic Mass at 5:45! I need to board my flight at 6:40 and think I should have enough time if Mass at the airport is shorter than Mass in my Church (which usually runs over an hour). Does anyone know or have an idea? Thanks!

I have no idea, but I don’t think the priest would rush it just because you need to get on your flight. I mean, many people will probably need to get to their flight as well at different times during the time of the Mass or very close after it has finished. Why don’t you just attend as much as you can and be prepared to go when you must go. You have a good and valid reason to go anyway.

 

[Chatter163]

Chances are that the Mass will be short. There are few airport chapels with Masses these days, and it is unlikely that there will be music, and certainly not that many people, so my bet is that you can make your flight. After all, that is the primary point of having Mass for travelers. Just keep an eye on your watch and thank God for the opportunity.

Let us know how it turns out by coming back to this thread and posting an update. Thanks.

 

[OraLabora]

I would guess it would be short as well, no music, and perhaps a brief one or two sentence homily, or perhaps the Bishop grants a dispensation to eliminate the homily altogether for “just cause” as the Mass is intended for travelers between flights who are likely to have very limited time.

 

[mellowcalico]

I was thinking it might be short without music and few people… thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut–maybe like a weekday Mass (only 40 minutes or so which would give me plenty of time to catch my flight). I’ll let you know how it goes. I am very happy there is a chapel in the same terminal I am in and they will be holding Mass right when I can go–talk about a blessing. I was pretty stressed out about possibly missing Mass.

 

[Edward_H]

The Sunday Mass at National Airport, DC (USA), aka Reagan National lasts b/n 16-18 minutes.

 

[MissRose73]

I know many airports have chapels or rooms people can use for private prayer/reflection. I didn’t know that some of them offered Mass.

 

[mellowcalico]

I know many airports have chapels or rooms people can use for private prayer/reflection. I didn’t know that some of them offered Mass.

I didn’t know either until I checked. I was originally checking the all the Catholic Churches in the city I am going to for this conference and couldn’t find one that offered a Mass before 7:30 in the morning (or later at night on Saturday). Then on a whim, I checked the airport website and looked up their chapel. I lucked out, the one and only Mass they offer is on Saturday, right when I will be at the airport (and in the terminal I will be in). It couldn’t have been more easy for me And if it’s about 20 minutes or so (based on Edward’s response… thank you Edward!) I might even be able to have time to grab some kind of dinner to eat on the plane later (I am flying from the East Coast to the West Coast).

 

[Rolltide]

I need to board my flight at 6:40 and think I should have enough time if Mass at the airport is shorter than Mass in my Church (which usually runs over an hour).

Do you need to board at 6:40, or does the flight DEPART at 6:40? Big difference, since you will board 30-40 minutes prior to the departure time.

 

[mellowcalico]

Do you need to board at 6:40, or does the flight DEPART at 6:40? Big difference, since you will board 30-40 minutes prior to the departure time.

Board… and that’s my estimate. The flight leaves at 7:10. So maybe I need to leave Mass by 6:25 (since I need to allot time to get to the gate). But still, if Edward has first hand knowledge and he says it’s under 20 minutes, I should be set… I’d be out in plenty of time. I hope.

 

[PoliSciProf]

I only attended one mass at an airport and that was in deGaulle International near Paris. There were only a few in attendence and, if I recall correctly, it was about 20 minutes long. How does one find out if American airports have a schedule of masses?

 

[FAH]

Dublin airport has it’s own Church, Our Lady Queen of Heaven situated in the airport complex. In addition to two Sunday Masses daily Mass is also offered.

 

[m134e5]

Does anyone know how long Mass at an airport might be? I am traveling for my job this Saturday and have to work on Sunday at a trade show (I found out from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm). I thought I wasn’t going to be able to make it to Mass at all with those times. But guess what, I did a little digging and the airport I will be flying out of offers Catholic Mass at 5:45! I need to board my flight at 6:40 and think I should have enough time if Mass at the airport is shorter than Mass in my Church (which usually runs over an hour). Does anyone know or have an idea? Thanks!

Sunday Mass can easily be over in 45 minutes if they keep it simple- and that’s WITH music and an entrance procession- it just depends on how concise the homily is and how good the priest is at making the liturgy flow from one part to the next. Without the music or procession, and without a homily, Sunday Mass could be trimmed down to 30 minutes or less. Surely airport chaplains understand that travelers often have strict, tight schedules to keep. I’d expect them to be conscientious of that need- to start on time and keep it brief. Just the same, I suggest calling the airport information office to ask how long Mass tends to be there. If it’s too long for you, just leave when you have to leave.

 

[Chatter163]

Sunday Mass can easily be over in 45 minutes if they keep it simple- and that’s WITH music and an entrance procession- it just depends on how concise the homily is and how good the priest is at making the liturgy flow from one part to the next.

Oh, I have seen Sunday Masses in parishes take only thirty minutes with a full crowd. In an airport chapel, I am betting on twenty minutes max.

 

[OraLabora]

Oh, I have seen Sunday Masses in parishes take only thirty minutes with a full crowd. In an airport chapel, I am betting on twenty minutes max.

No doubt.

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[Chatter163]

While I have certainly witnessed speedy EF Masses, most of the quickest Masses that I have witnessed (including some twelve-minute specials) were OF.

 

[Brendan]

While I have certainly witnessed speedy EF Masses, most of the quickest Masses that I have witnessed (including some twelve-minute specials) were OF.

Same here. When I was an altarboy back in the 70’s, our parish had a retired Msgr in residence. He would say an 8:00am weekday Mass, and our parish had a 8:30am regularly scheduled weekday Mass.

He would take about 15 min tops.

 

[horselvr]

When I travel to Midway Airport (Chicago) I generally attend Mass. They announce it over the intercom to let travelers know the Mass schedule. I was pleasantly surprised to discover they have Mass and so I try to get there when traveling. The old priest there is a gem and he has written a book about his life as a Priest. Very interesting especially the chapter where he speaks of the Lady he fell in love with (Jesus’s mother Mary).

Anyway Mass is short to fit into the travelers schedules and doesn’t go over 20 mins. Anyone traveling through Midway please stop in for Mass the Priest is wonderful and the Mass although short, is very comforting.

 

[mellowcalico]

Thanks again! I was asked to write back about my expereince, so I am. They announced it over the intercom one, about an hour before Mass. I made it on time and the entire Mass was 21 minutes–I was able to catch my flight.

I am so gald I went, my day on Sunday actually started at 6:30 am and ended at 8 pm–I was exhausted. I am still working today (on lunch break now).

 

[m134e5]

Oh, I have seen Sunday Masses in parishes take only thirty minutes with a full crowd. In an airport chapel, I am betting on twenty minutes max.

That just seems like an awfully short Mass. Maybe people talk faster where you are. My former pastor routinely said Sunday Mass in 40 minutes- I guess if they were to cut the music and streamline a few other things, it would be easy to shave off 10 more minutes (so I can see 30), but 20 seems awfully short to me. Maybe people walk and talk faster there, I don’t know.