. They end up all over the place by the end of mass. Sometimes you lose one and sometimes you have 2.I’m confused. How can a pew be too narrow for a hymnal? I meant when you stand you put it on your seat, pick it up when you sit down again.Not all churches have pews. My current parish does but they are too narrow for a book, people often knock them off
ConfusedLucy, Do the pews have hymnal racks to put the books in?
No it’s always been either chairs or pews with a slim back. I have seen pews with hymnal racks in very old churches but haven’t actually attended a church with them. Normally I put the books in a little pile on the pew or chair next to me if there is space and the floor if not. When standing I try to pick up the right book or make do without it. At the beginning of Mass I stand with the hymn book but don’t pick up the missal until sitting for the readings. When kneeling I do without as the only options are wedged between knees looking down or on the seat of the person in front who may not be able to kneel.
I am speaking of the United States. Several of the Catholic churches are being merged together in a parish. Some churches have numerous hardback song books for different times of the religious calendar. A lot of people have become dissatisfied with the Church here.