Mass was the twilight zone today

[cranster]

I’m just now calming down after Mass. The Bishop gave a confirmation Mass today. I arrived just before the start and the place was packed so I sat outside the main chapel in the back of overflow seating. I did the best I could to concentrate, but at times it was impossible. Mass was almost 2 hours long so I understand people got antsy but what took place was an absolute sacrelege and a travesty. What was so bizarre was the kids were relatively well behaved, it was the adults who were out of control. I tried to keep my eyes closed so I could concentrate, but when I opened them the group in front of me were having a conversation just below their outside voice. One woman was shielding her hand so she could poing at someone that she was gossiping about.

Right before the collection the ushers had a conversation right behind me using their outside voice complete with laughter. They were talking about selling a van.

It was during the Eucharistic procession that I wouldn’t have been surprized to see clowns show up. It turned into a circus. People were talking everywhere. There was a guy behind me that was talking on his cell phone… not using his outside voice but was using his speaking in a bar voice like he was trying to talk over the band, complete with a finger in his other ear so he could hear.

This was all taking place with the Bishop dispensing the Eucharist. I couldn’t help it, I just found myself getting angry. I was 2 inches from yelling out "SILENCE!!! THIS IS THE HOUSE OF GOD AND JESUS IS PRESENT!!! but fortunately I didn’t. I felt like I should have.

I think God wanted to show me the true state His Church is in today, and the extreme need for prayer, fasting and evengelization in our parishes.

 

[lizaanne]

I’m so sorry you had to endure such a thing.

This was a confirmation Mass? Then I suspect many of the people there were not Catholic, but friends and family. They don’t have clue one how to properly behave (obviously) - but shame on the Bishop for not asking for some respect if it was that bad.

When my Dad was finally confirmed this year it was pretty close to the same thing - people talking everywhere, not paying attention, it was just so sad and infuriating.

Hopefully this is a one time thing and you won’t have to go through this again at your parish. You were totally justified in being angry, I would have been as well.

~Liza

 

[cranster]

I’m so sorry you had to endure such a thing.

This was a confirmation Mass? Then I suspect many of the people there were not Catholic, but friends and family. They don’t have clue one how to properly behave (obviously) - but shame on the Bishop for not asking for some respect if it was that bad.

When my Dad was finally confirmed this year it was pretty close to the same thing - people talking everywhere, not paying attention, it was just so sad and infuriating.

Hopefully this is a one time thing and you won’t have to go through this again at your parish. You were totally justified in being angry, I would have been as well.

~Liza

They weren’t all visitors, the ushers were right in the middle of it. I don’t ever remember anything like this growing up. I’m much calmer now, but if I got that upset I can’t imagine how it must make Jesus feel to know there is so little regard for Him when He’s really present.

 

[Joannm]

One of the big problems with major sacramental celebrations is that there are a lot of invited family members who have not been in a church for years.

 

[puzzleannie]

might be best, given the title of this forum to differentiate between behavior of congregants at Mass, and liturgical abuse, which OP did not describe. Bear in mind that for a confirmation easily half the guests (and I am including parents here) have not been inside a Catholic church for years, if at all, so I find it not surprising. the ushers should have been corrected, but they may not be “regulars” but parents pushed into service for the occasion.

 

[Dauphin]

Don’t be so uptight! Mass is about celebrating our stories! What’s wrong with a strong spirit of community?

Also, since no rubrics were violated, it’s completely acceptable! If the Church doesn’t forbid it, then we can do it during Mass. You’re just trying to impose your personal preferences and taste on the community’s celebration. It’s very rude.

Sure, the Eucharist is there, but that’s only one small part of the Mass. The “reverence” you’re talking about is a relic from the dark ages before the council, when Catholics were unenlightened, and nobody was allowed to participate! This is the great new springtime of faith - get used to it!

 

[EasterJoy]

I’m just now calming down after Mass. The Bishop gave a confirmation Mass today. I arrived just before the start and the place was packed so I sat outside the main chapel in the back of overflow seating. I did the best I could to concentrate, but at times it was impossible. Mass was almost 2 hours long so I understand people got antsy but what took place was an absolute sacrelege and a travesty. What was so bizarre was the kids were relatively well behaved, it was the adults who were out of control. I tried to keep my eyes closed so I could concentrate, but when I opened them the group in front of me were having a conversation just below their outside voice. One woman was shielding her hand so she could poing at someone that she was gossiping about.

Right before the collection the ushers had a conversation right behind me using their outside voice complete with laughter. They were talking about selling a van.

It was during the Eucharistic procession that I wouldn’t have been surprized to see clowns show up. It turned into a circus. People were talking everywhere. There was a guy behind me that was talking on his cell phone… not using his outside voice but was using his speaking in a bar voice like he was trying to talk over the band, complete with a finger in his other ear so he could hear.

This was all taking place with the Bishop dispensing the Eucharist. I couldn’t help it, I just found myself getting angry. I was 2 inches from yelling out "SILENCE!!! THIS IS THE HOUSE OF GOD AND JESUS IS PRESENT!!! but fortunately I didn’t. I felt like I should have.

I think God wanted to show me the true state His Church is in today, and the extreme need for prayer, fasting and evengelization in our parishes.

Approaching someone with a whispered “would you mind terribly if I asked you to take your conversation outside? It’s actually quite distracting” is probably the mid-point between saying nothing and screaming “SILENCE!!!”

I have tried this method, and I’ve never had anyone do anything other than sheepishly tone it down.

Don’t be so uptight! Mass is about celebrating our stories! What’s wrong with a strong spirit of community?

Also, since no rubrics were violated, it’s completely acceptable! If the Church doesn’t forbid it, then we can do it during Mass. You’re just trying to impose your personal preferences and taste on the community’s celebration. It’s very rude.

Sure, the Eucharist is there, but that’s only one small part of the Mass. The “reverence” you’re talking about is a relic from the dark ages before the council, when Catholics were unenlightened, and nobody was allowed to participate! This is the great new springtime of faith - get used to it!

I hate to say it, but there are a lot of people who aren’t going to realize that your tongue is drilled into your cheek.

 

[cranster]

Don’t be so uptight! Mass is about celebrating our stories! What’s wrong with a strong spirit of community?

Also, since no rubrics were violated, it’s completely acceptable! If the Church doesn’t forbid it, then we can do it during Mass. You’re just trying to impose your personal preferences and taste on the community’s celebration. It’s very rude.

Sure, the Eucharist is there, but that’s only one small part of the Mass. The “reverence” you’re talking about is a relic from the dark ages before the council, when Catholics were unenlightened, and nobody was allowed to participate! This is the great new springtime of faith - get used to it!

The Eucharist is NOT one small part of the Mass, it is the source, center, and summit of the Mass. It is the reason for the Mass. There should always be a deep reverence when Jesus is present. There are plenty of places to share our stories, Mass is not one of them. I couldn’t disagree with you more.

 

[Dauphin]

I hate to say it, but there are a lot of people who aren’t going to realize that your tongue is drilled into your cheek.

Hopefully they’ll realize it now that you’ve said it.

There are many Catholics who would nod there heads at what I wrote, sadly.

 

[Dauphin]

The Eucharist is NOT one small part of the Mass, it is the source, center, and summit of the Mass. It is the reason for the Mass. There should always be a deep reverence when Jesus is present. There are plenty of places to share our stories, Mass is not one of them. I couldn’t disagree with you more.

But different people have different ways of showing reverence! The way you show reverence is just fine for you, but what if I show reverence by chatting on my cellphone? Who are you to judge? You sound like one of the pharisees! Don’t try to force your ways on everyone! Be more open-minded.

 

[cranster]

Approaching someone with a whispered “would you mind terribly if I asked you to take your conversation outside? It’s actually quite distracting” is probably the mid-point between saying nothing and screaming “SILENCE!!!”

I have tried this method, and I’ve never had anyone do anything other than sheepishly tone it down.

.

Like I said, I didn’t say anything. It was terribly distracting, and I understand that there were probably people from every walk of life there, and every level of faith and non faith.

 

[cranster]

But different people have different ways of showing reverence! The way you show reverence is just fine for you, but what if I show reverence by chatting on my cellphone? Who are you to judge? You sound like one of the pharisees! Don’t try to force your ways on everyone! Be more open-minded.

I’m sorry but you’re out in left field on this one.

 

[requiemaeturnum]

Don’t be so uptight! Mass is about celebrating our stories! What’s wrong with a strong spirit of community?

Also, since no rubrics were violated, it’s completely acceptable! If the Church doesn’t forbid it, then we can do it during Mass. You’re just trying to impose your personal preferences and taste on the community’s celebration. It’s very rude.

Sure, the Eucharist is there, but that’s only one small part of the Mass. The “reverence” you’re talking about is a relic from the dark ages before the council, when Catholics were unenlightened, and nobody was allowed to participate! This is the great new springtime of faith - get used to it!

That…is modernist heresy… It sounds harsh…but the truth is the truth…

 

[Dauphin]

I’m sorry but you’re out in left field on this one.

I know, cranster.

I’m just offering a parody of the arguments some on this forum make. I’m trying to head them off before they start attacking you themselves by making clear how ridiculous their arguments really are.

There are some people who will simply never understand the spirit of Catholic liturgy, and the immense reverence and awe which is demanded before the great sacrament of the Eucharist - the very substance of the living God, the sacrifice of Christ himself.

I know this because I’ve spent countless hours arguing with liturgical liberals. It’s largely pointless.

 

[Dauphin]

Your response has been alot more restrained and cordial than mine would normally be, by the way. I wish I were capable of such charity!

 

[EasterJoy]

I know this because I’ve spent countless hours arguing with liturgical liberals. It’s largely pointless.

Don’t try to teach a pig to sing. You’ll just frustrate yourself, and annoy the pig.

 

[requiemaeturnum]

I know, cranster.

I’m just offering a parody of the arguments some on this forum make. I’m trying to head them off before they start attacking you themselves by making clear how ridiculous their arguments really are.

There are some people who will simply never understand the spirit of Catholic liturgy, and the immense reverence and awe which is demanded before the great sacrament of the Eucharist - the very substance of the living God, the sacrifice of Christ himself.

I know this because I’ve spent countless hours arguing with liturgical liberals. It’s largely pointless.

I am glad you were joking!! I was wondering what kind of modernist would have a quote from Pope Eugene IV in their signature!!

 

[Dauphin]

I am glad you were joking!! I was wondering what kind of modernist would have a quote from Pope Eugene IV in their signature!!

Maybe one with split personality disorder?

A liturgical liberal who believes in EENS would be a rare animal indeed.

 

[acadian]

I had a similar experience on a smaller scale this week at a Confirmation Mass. I was there only because my 13 year old was asked to be an altar server. My 11 year old and I sat in the congregation and there were 2 girls (in their late teens/early 20’s) sitting with what looked to be an adult in the pew behind us. THey whispered for most of the Mass - talking about how short the bishop is, etc.

I thought, too, that they might be non-Catholic friends, but they prayed along certain prayers, so they had obviously been inside a church before and should have known acceptable behavior.

My ADHD 11 year old sometimes has his less than reverent moments during Mass, but on his worst day, he is better than these girls were.

 

[cranster]

Your response has been alot more restrained and cordial than mine would normally be, by the way. I wish I were capable of such charity!

You blind sided me on that one So your tongue was in your cheek. I was just very sad for Jesus, I guess it just makes me realize how many Catholics just don’t understand who is really present.