Mind wandering during Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter justme
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

justme

Guest
Does anyone else have this problem?

What can I do?

I find that my mind will wander onto what I am going to do today or what I have been reading (my non-spiritual reading) rather than staying focused on the Mass.

Any suggestions?
 
I don’t really have this problem. My mind has wandered on occassion, but not to the point that it has been a problem.

If it did get to that point though, I would constantly remind myself to pay attention to the Mass instead of thinking of other things. It would take awhile, but hopefully that would help prevent it over time.
 
The late great Pope Saint Pius X offered the following advice:

“Don’t pray at Holy Mass, but pray the Holy Mass.”

Explaining himself further, His Holiness set forth:

“The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists. It is the Sacrifice, dedicated by our Redeemer at the Cross, and repeated every day on the altar. If you wish to hear Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with eye, heart and mouth all that happens at the altar. Further, you must pray with the priest the holy words said by him in the Name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner you ought to follow all that happens at the altar. When acting in this way, you have prayed Holy Mass.”

I think if your mind is wandering, you need to try and understand exactly what is going on better. May I recommend an easy to read book?

amazon.com/Lambs-Supper-Mass-Heaven-Earth/dp/0385496591
 
justme said:
Does anyone else have this problem?

What can I do?

I find that my mind will wander onto what I am going to do today or what I have been reading (my non-spiritual reading) rather than staying focused on the Mass.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Maybe you have ADD? I do, my mind wanders and goes at light speed. There’s nothing you can do about it, you just live with it.
 
My mind tends to wander quite a bit also during Mass and I think about all the things I have to do that day. I also look at people around me and in front of me and wonder about their life, why they chose that shirt etc. I don’t think God would be mad but I know and want to do better.

Somethings have helped. I have tried coming to Mass earlier so that I can prepare my mind and heart and try to flush away all the excess thought. I try to really focus on the priest or reader and stare at their lips so I can feel the words they are saying. I try to read along in the book and try to focus on the Passion by closing my eyes and trying to see Jesus hanging on the cross. I think the best thing has been to read ahead of time about that Mass’ readings and Gospel and try to understand what they mean so that when they are read during Mass, I understand what is being said and how it applies to our world.

I hope that helps but honestly, there are some days that my mind just races away no matter what I try.
 
My daughter likes to pull out the mass books from the chairs in front of us, to get on her knees and look at the people behind us. Or now that she has a cold, turn her tissues into parachutes, letting them drop to the floor. All while I stand and try OH so hard to pay attention to what Fr. is saying. Sometimes I’ve to close my eyes and when she tugs on my arm or says “mommy” I keep my eyes close and put my finger to my mouth to ‘shush’ her. So that she might know it’s not okay to talk now and that I am trying to concentrate. But shes four 🤷

Ideally, I’d like to be able to go to mass and sit there and let it all sink in. To just get completely engulfed. But for now, I’m happy to take the few moments I can get that feeling inbetween correcting my daughters behaviour.

Maybe try sitting in the front, and when your mind wanders try looking at Fr. and concentrating or hehe closing your eyes like I try. :rolleyes:

It can be done, just have to keep at it and I wish you the best of luck.
 
Sure, it happens to me at times.

I just ask the Holy Spirit to help me stay focused on the Mass. I believe it’s normal. We’re not perfect, mere human beings. 😉
 
I have heard of a lot of people whose minds wander during meditation. The advice I have read about that might apply here. They have advised that you acknowledge the thought and then bring yourself back to what you are trying to focus on. If you concentrate on getting rid of the thoughts they tend to keep fighting for your attention - kind of like a child when you are on the phone. Acknowledging and then turning back to the prayer of the Mass seems to work better.
 
Barbkw said:
I take reading material with me so that I’m not geeking around checking people out before Mass.

This prayer book is good, it has readings from the saints, popes, Mother Teresa, etc.

amazon.com/Catholic-Prayer-Book-Michael-Buckley/dp/0892832835

I also subscribe to the Magnificat:

catholiccompany.com/magnificat?aid=117&gclid=COiKt4LyhagCFRNe7AodWjLdpQ

The daily Scripture readings for the Mass are in each monthly publication.
Click to expand...
Yes Barb, I have my Roman Daily Missal, you really do become focused on the Celebration of the Mass. It is wonderful. In the beginning ,If you do not use a missal, it may take some time of persevering but the results are so worth it, Peace, Carlan
 
It happens to me too. I have found that looking at the crucifix helps me refocus. It’s hard to think about too many other things when you look at Jesus dying on the cross.
 
I have this problem occassionally, especially if I have something important coming up. Most of the time I’m just like “Okay, focus now!” Then I remain focus for a little, then I’m back to wandering off. Sometimes you just can’t help it. I know I don’t do it voluntarily, but it just happens.
 
Whitacre Girl -

YES! focusing on the crucifix usually snaps me back to where my mind should be. 😉
 
Follow the Mass from the missalette, and if it does not helps, do what people did for centuries: pray the Rosary.
 
I have always been a daydreamer. In college, I would always sit in the front row to keep me focused. I do the same thing for mass. 🙂
 
mom2em said:
My daughter likes to pull out the mass books from the chairs in front of us, to get on her knees and look at the people behind us. Or now that she has a cold, turn her tissues into parachutes, letting them drop to the floor. All while I stand and try OH so hard to pay attention to what Fr. is saying. Sometimes I’ve to close my eyes and when she tugs on my arm or says “mommy” I keep my eyes close and put my finger to my mouth to ‘shush’ her. So that she might know it’s not okay to talk now and that I am trying to concentrate. But shes four 🤷
Click to expand...
This is me exactly! I have a lively 14 months old DD so I spend most of the Mass looking after her, dragging her back to the pew, stopping her from distracting other people too much etc.

Then, at school, I spend most of the Mass making sure that all the pupils get up to read at the right time/aren’t chatting/ring the bells properly etc. so I still can’t concentrate.

Finally, when I occassionally get to go to Mass without anyone to care for, I find I’ve got out of the habit of concentrating, so my mind wanders even though I’ve got no external distractions 😊 And it used not to be a problem for me.

I think it’s just habit (unless you actually have got ADHD or something) so I make a real effort anytime I am able to concentrate to do so in order to try to break the habit. I usually focus either on the crucifix, as some others have said, or more often on the altar/host/tabernacle (depending on where we are in the Mass). Also, sit near the front.
 
dconklin said:
Sit in the front row. Far fewer distractions.
Click to expand...
I have to be honest - this in itself is a distraction for me. I am just too self-conscious and I feel like everyone is looking at me. I try to sit in the back so I feel more comfortable.
 
If your mind is going to wander, the first thing you should do is try to get it to wander into appropriate things rather than inappropriate things. So, look at the stained glass windows, or statues of saints, or holy paintings, or crucifix… rather than just staring blankly into space. Or bring a rosary, or a bible.

When during Mass do you find your mind wandering the most? Perhaps using a missalette to follow the readings and prayers will help.
 
Batfink said:
unless you actually have got ADHD or something
Click to expand...
This.

Do the self test and see if you have ADD. Because if you do, none of the advices here would work. I’ve always been easily distracted at Mass. In the past I thought it was lack of interest. But as I became more devout, its still there, but less. I now learned I have ADD. When you know you have ADD, its easier to anticipate it and find ways to cope.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top