Okay or not to leave Mass early?

[Carolinagirl411]

HEY

sorry lol I just got so excited to see someone that goes to the same church that I do. When I am in Myrtle Beach (and I am quite a bit since my mother works there) I always go to Our Lady Star by the Sea. LOVE that church. In fact I’ll be there this weekend!

On the topic of the thread, my church here at home has that problem. A lot of people walk in and out during the entire mass and it can be very distracting

One story that I thought was some what humorous - my handbell director had stomach issues in the middle of mass and during the preparation of the Eucharist had to run out to vomit. One of the ushers blocked the door and spread both arms wide and told her she couldn’t leave. She was able to communicate to him her dilemma and exit without disaster.

 

[christcnection1]

I usually stay after Mass to pray a little bit. At that point, few people are still in the pews.

It’s not something to make a habit of, but if you leave a few minutes early on occasion, I think God is far more concerned with your overall life. Once in awhile I will leave early, but I also regularly attend daily Mass.

Make sure your heart is in the right place, and don’t make a habit of it. When you have extra time, use that time to give Him the honor He deserves. This may include going to church extra early before Mass starts.

Sometimes the demands of life requires subtle time management adjustments. Our Father who art in heaven knows this. (But avoid it if possible!)

 

[feargalmac]

None of the options fit. It ain’t over 'till it’s over!!

 

[funnyyetsavvy]

Not ok to leave unless it’s emergency, and, no, trying to beat other churchgoers to the nearby buffett is not an emergency. The Mass or service is not over until the last hymn is sung.

 

[Kathrin]

I also agree with those who said it is ok if you have a valid reason.

A priest at a church I go to once pointed out that those who leave right after communion miss out on the final blessing.

Kathrin

 

[maria_rose]

Where you are located in the church doesn’t matter.

Whether you have a legitimate emergency or reason does.

I completely agree with you Tantum Ergo. Too many people come late and leave early, but if it were a great movie they’d stay to the end. I believe leaving early is ONLY permissible with a legitimate emergency otherwise it’s rude and dis respectful to Christ and the parishioners trying to sing and pray the final hymn.

 

[mozier]

There are two ways to handle this:

1. The priest doesn’t leave until the last verse of the final hymn is sung. We once had a priest in our parish who did this, and no one would move until he did. Many were chomping on the bit, but they stayed put.
2. Do what I’ve seen done in the Anglican church. The procession goes down the aisle, then turns and stops at the entrance to the church. No one can get by them. Then when the hymn is over, the priest says, “The Mass is Ended, go in Peace.” The congregation responds, “Thanks be to God,” then the procession clears the area for the people to leave. Or do the St. Michael Prayer. This wouldn’t work, of course, if your parish has many side entrances.

 

[Scout]

The Judas Shuffle?

geocities.com/peterpaulmin/JudasShuffle.html

Wow, that was eye-opening. I don’t like to leave Mass early, but I’d never made a connection like this one before. I don’t think I’ll ever view leaving Mass early the same way.

On a practical note, and if I’m repeating someone I’m sorry-I’ve only read part of the thread, I never understood why someone would leave right after receiving. They’ve been there for 50 minutes already. Is it going to kill you to wait another five or ten minutes? I understand that there are emergencies, but let’s be honest. 99.9% of the time those who leave early are only doing it because they believe they have fulfilled their “obligation” and want to get out of there as quickly as possible.

This is one of my pet peeves, I guess. It’s just that if I, as a parent, can sit there with three small children, one who has autism, I don’t see why an adult can’t do the same.

However, it is also important for me to remember that I don’t know what is going on in a person’s mind and heart after receiving. I have to remind myself not to judge too harshly, or at all. So, from now on, when I see someone leaving early I will say a prayer for them. I will pray that God blesses them for coming to Mass and that if they’re not leaving early for a legitimate reason, that the Holy Spirit will convict them.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[ncguy]

Wow, that was eye-opening. I don’t like to leave Mass early, but I’d never made a connection like this one before. I don’t think I’ll ever view leaving Mass early the same way.

It was eye opening to me too when I first read that analysis of leaving Mass early. I agree with you that we don’t know why someone is leaving early and we shouldn’t judge. However, I think many are leaving not out of disrespect, but out of a lack of knowledge of who they are receiving in the Eucharist. When I see someone leaving early, it tells me we need to do a better job of catechizing.

 

[bilop]

Afew months ago this topic came up at our Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach and our priest said unless there was an emergency, you have not fullfilled your obligation until the final blessing is said…

I’ve been to your Church too. Very Nice! I’ve never had trouble finding a parking spot at Church before

 

[Kathrin]

However, I think many are leaving not out of disrespect, but out of a lack of knowledge of who they are receiving in the Eucharist. When I see someone leaving early, it tells me we need to do a better job of catechizing.

I was going to say something similar.
I like the first part of the “Judas shuffle” article a lot, but I don’t like the part about thinking of Judas shuffling out when I see somebody leave early. First of all, I don’t like to have a judgmental/negative attitude toward other people. I like to look at them with love, PLUS also give them the benefit of the doubt. That person leaving early may have an important reason to do so, or not feel well…
Maybe we should pray for all the people who leave early?
But yes: I love the part about it being rude to leave without thanking your host. Kind of, leave after you got what you came for… kind of selfish. Which should not be the spirit of the service, the mass, of course. But most people aren’t really aware of it being rude I would say…
Which once again tells us that we probably need to be more aware of what Mass really is!!! What is going on there!! What we are witnessing and allowed to eb a part of!!

Kathrin

 

[ncguy]

I was going to say something similar.
I like the first part of the “Judas shuffle” article a lot, but I don’t like the part about thinking of Judas shuffling out when I see somebody leave early. First of all, I don’t like to have a judgmental/negative attitude toward other people.

I agree, but I interpreted it differently. I looked at it more as stressing the importance of not leaving, not at all about judging someone else. I don’t think there is anyone who leaves early that does it with the knowledge of what Judas did. If they did, I bet there wouldn’t be as many emergencies to leave early.

 

[ac_claire]

Three Masses at my parish, the Saturday Vigil Mass and the early Sunday morning Mass, everyone (expect those with valid reasons) stay for the final hymn,its at the later Mass (11am) that literally one quarter of the people leave early.

Finally our priest was so frustrated by this that when he was giving his announcements at the conclusion of Mass, he said,“And remember folks, Judas also left early!”

The pastor at my secondary parish has said the exact same thing.

And once-- I wasn’t here for this but I heard about it-- he went to the ambo and publically addressed a woman who was sneaking out after communion. He said “excuse me, ma’am?” and then asked if she knew that the mass wasn’t over yet. It was a little bit overly agressive, perhaps. Years later, people still talk about it.

 

[stbruno]

I don’t get it either. Many receive Jesus and then keep walking until they are out the door. I just don’t get it. I also pray for them.

 

[stringbeanduck]

I don’t get it either. Many receive Jesus and then keep walking until they are out the door. I just don’t get it. I also pray for them.

. I’ll see folks walk out right after communion. Some go back to work in the kitchen (part of the church). I still don’t agree with that. They can also go to the Saturday Mass too or the Early Sunday Mass. And some want to hurry up and get their shopping done. If that’s the case why not just skip Mass to go to the mall and think about Jesus for an hour.

 

[lak611]

Hello. Just curious about responses to this…

I would feel uncomfortable about leaving Mass early no matter where I was sitting. Unless there is an emergency, an illness or an issue with one’s children, there is no excuse to leave early. Even if the congregation does not see one leave, God knows.

 

[Kathrin]

. And some want to hurry up and get their shopping done. If that’s the case why not just skip Mass to go to the mall and think about Jesus for an hour.

Well, then they KNEW they wouldn’t be fulfilling their Sunday obligation.
I think the general consensus is that even if you leave early you have fulfilled the obligation. Which I think officially is true?

Then the whole thing has to do with just doing the absolute minimum maybe?

I must admit I have left mass early before myself. I don’t usually do it but there have been some situations. I remember particularly a mass I went to (which was NOT on a holy day of obligation) where I left early so I could catch the bus home…

Kathrin

Kathrin

 

[henrex]

well i think it is not proper to leave the Holy Mass especially if it is not finish, beacause your mass wouldnt be complete if you dont receive the blessing which is in the latter part of the mass…
except, of course, if it is a matter of Life and death…

Omnes Sancto, orate pro nobis…

 

[Tracy07]

Hi ive never left mass early for any reason im usually one of the last to go as i have to wait for my oldest child to finish his duties as he is an altar server but even before this we still stayed to the end of mass.
Funny this topic has come up as ive begun to notice quite a few people in our church leaving early, a lot of the elderly ladies have always left a little early but i have noticed two men in particular going up to receive communion and walking round as if to go to their pew and just walking straight out and going.
I think its disrespectful and to be honest there is only a few minutes left to the end of mass why not just wait like everyone else. Our church is right opposite a bus stop with buses every 5 minutes so there is no reason like some who have to go to another bus stop etc, we have five different buses to different places coming regularly, i could maybe understand if they were elderly and needed to catch that bus or wait a while for another so to speak.
Im at mass tonight and am sure these men will do the same this week as they always do

x

 

[bilop]

Well, then they KNEW they wouldn’t be fulfilling their Sunday obligation.
I think the general consensus is that even if you leave early you have fulfilled the obligation. Which I think officially is true?

Then the whole thing has to do with just doing the absolute minimum maybe?

I must admit I have left mass early before myself. I don’t usually do it but there have been some situations. I remember particularly a mass I went to (which was NOT on a holy day of obligation) where I left early so I could catch the bus home…

Kathrin

Kathrin

Yes, even if you leave early, which I don’t reccomend, you are still fufilling your obligation, which is MUCH better than not going.

We should be charitable to these people. If it is the best they can do now, that’s better than all the people who don’t bother to come at all. I know my faith has evolved from Christmas and Easter only to fully faithful. Different people are at different places on their journey.

Also, there is a lot of confusion out there. In the old Canon law, you only had to be present for the Liturgy of Eucharist/Mass of the Faithful for your obligation. The new law doesn’t define the minimum, but many people are under the impression that you need only arrive before the gospel and stay til communion.

God Bless