Mass : seating after 2nd reading

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I went to mass at a new parish(for me) on Sunday.
If you show up late, you are prevented, by ushers, from having a seat until after the 2nd reading.
So after the 2nd reading, they allow people to stream in and get a seat, while the priest
is holding up the Bible and headed to the pulpit for the reading of the Gospel.

Is there anything in the rubrics or elsewhere that justifies this.
Or is it just one of those odd customs that is not universal?

Funny thing the very next mass, which didnt have a surplus of ushers, they didnt do this.
 
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The ushers probably think it will be less visible, and therefore less disruptive, if latecomers enter while everyone is standing.

I am pretty sure it is not in any rubrics.
 
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Latecomers in my parish don’t even attempt to seat themselves until that point. It is a distraction.
 
lol; they show up in my church even after the homily;

squadrons of five, seven, nine people march to the front aisles (because those seats are empty)

i am not judging

but seriously; why bother at that point?
 
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Some have trouble getting there on time for probably a number of reasons. (unforeseen frosted front window, someone taking too long to change, getting children ready and buckled in, etc.) My family is known for being late for all sorts of things and it is nearly impossible sometimes trying to rush everyone out the door to make it on time. Sometimes I feel like a mom lol.
 
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yes i know; i had small children oncest

it gets complicated maneuvering young people

but showing up 1/2 hour after mass begins; and the ushers marching you and the fourth armored battalion of child seats, toys & books to front row?

i don’t know

again; I AM NOT JUDGING
 
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From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

“105. A liturgical function is also exercised by: …
d) Those who, in some regions, welcome the faithful at the church doors, seat them appropriately, and marshal them in processions.”

They are listed after the sacristan, commentator and those who take up the collection.
 
Beeline said:
I went to mass at a new parish(for me) on Sunday.

If you show up late, you are prevented, by ushers, from having a seat until after the 2nd reading.

So after the 2nd reading, they allow people to stream in and get a seat, while the priest

is holding up the Bible and headed to the pulpit for the reading of the Gospel.

Is there anything in the rubrics or elsewhere that justifies this.

Or is it just one of those odd customs that is not universal?

Funny thing the very next mass, which didnt have a surplus of ushers, they didnt do th
Click to expand...
Latecomers at our Church have no chance of getting a seat anyway. We have 10 Masses every Sunday to accommodate the average 80% Mass attendance and at every Mass the Church is not only full but many people are standing outside so they have speakers in order for those outside to follow the Mass.
 
Compare that to us, a small parish of 1500, with 2 Sunday Masses (1 Saturday, 1 Sunday) and approximately 10% attendance – and that because of the newly arrived Filipinos who make up a good part of the congregation.

It’s a sobering reality to look around and note all the elders in church, men and women who, for the most part, raised large families, and realize that none of their children and grandchildren who still reside in town ever attend Mass.
 
JohnLilburne said:
From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

“105. A liturgical function is also exercised by: …

d) Those who, in some regions, welcome the faithful at the church doors, seat them appropriately, and marshal them in processions.”
Click to expand...
Thanks for the answer.
you hit the nail.
 
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I’ve gotten the “lock out” returning from changing a diaper. 🤣

“Baby, you gotta work on your timing.”
 
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