Paying Attention at Mass

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Youngcatholic

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I find I have a pretty hard time paying attention at mass. I listen for about 2 seconds, then I start daydreaming or thinking about other things. I say the prayers but often times I have a hard time putting much effort into it. I find I am generally bored at mass. I know mass is not supposed to be entertainment, but I am not too happy with my lethargy and lack of interest. Any help is appreciated. -Young Catholic
 
I also recommend “The Mass Explained” by Father Larry Richards, available for free at www.catholicity.com

Once you begin to understand more of what is happening, you’ll find the Mass goes very quickly and you won’t be bored!
 
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Youngcatholic:
I find I have a pretty hard time paying attention at mass. I listen for about 2 seconds, then I start daydreaming or thinking about other things. I say the prayers but often times I have a hard time putting much effort into it. I find I am generally bored at mass. I know mass is not supposed to be entertainment, but I am not too happy with my lethargy and lack of interest. Any help is appreciated. -Young Catholic
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I will pray for you. Try sitting in the front row. Try to read some of the information that the previous people listed. I would suggest praying in front of the Tabernacle before Mass begins. Read the scriptures in the Misslette befor the start of Mass. A miracle takes place at the Mass when we receive Jesus! There is nothing else in the entire world that can compare to that. The Mass has to be top priority and you really need to listen to what the Priest is saying in his homily. If you dont already I suggest that you pray the Rosary daily. The Blessed Mother will bring you closer to our Lord when you do this. Listen to as many audio’s on the Mass as possible. I will pray for you.
 
at every Mass God has a Word for you. It may be in the readings of course, which are for all of us, but there is also a Word especially for you. listen for it. It may be in the readings, the hymns, the sermon, but also in the prayers the priest says, or the prayers the people say, any part of the Mass, but it is always there. Listen for it. Also pay attention especially in the parts of the Mass that call for silence: while we are recalling our sins, after the homily, after communion etc. God often speaks to us in the silence. Prepare for Mass by reading the gospel and other readings before Mass, perhaps discussing them with your family. Also pray when you enter that God will help you be fully present to Him at Mass, as He is fully present to you.
 
I can understand, I come from a long line of mass-sleepers, although personally I’m buzzed up with enough coffee that I can stay awake.

I think in the winter its harder to pay attention, particularly as Catholics traditionally keep their coats on in church. A down parka is is similar enough to my bed clothes particularly in the early morning.

You might want to try and say the rosary or other devotions during mass, particularly if the mass is being said in a vernacular that you are unfamiliar with. Until about 10 years ago, I heard masses almost exclusively in Polish, which I don’t understand, and I found engaging in devotions to be useful in staying focused.
 
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Michael038:
I will pray for you. Try sitting in the front row.
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I second this idea.
plus
Try being silent when you wake up Sunday morning…no talking…no TV or radio or computer.
Get to church early…20 or 30 minutes early…sit up front.
Don’t rush out with the crowd when Mass is over.
Have the intention of sitting extra time alone with our Lord.
Do this week after week until you discover how beautiful this time is.
 
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Kielbasi:
Until about 10 years ago, I heard masses almost exclusively in Polish, which I don’t understand, and I found engaging in devotions to be useful in staying focused.
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And it never occurred to you to learn a little Polish?
 
What helped me pay attention when I was a teen at Mass was to memorize the Mass! Pretty easy for me to do back then coz I was part of our Saturday Vigil music ministry, and we had to know when to sing the Gloria or the Memorial Acclaimation, etc. When I went to a Mass where I wasn’t singing, the Mass became more alive to me then, because I was able to concentrate on the words being said throughout the Liturgy, and would do mental ponderings on their meanings.

When it came to homilies, though, many times, I did let my mind wander… :cool:
 
you may also consider joining the choir, becoming an altar server, usher or reader, anything which forces you to “pay attention”, because the parts of the Mass, their order and harmony will begin to make more sense to you. However, it is not necessary to be actively ministering in service to the liturgy in order to be in full active participation in the Mass. The most important part is still our responses and our listening.
 
I was just talking to my 8 year old about this today. I too have a terribley wandering mind. My suggestion to my son was that when he notices his mind wanding to simply bring it back to what’s going on and ask Jesus to help him to pay attention. God knows our weaknesses and rejoices in our efforts, even if that means bringing our minds back to where they belong during Mass 20 times.

I agree that getting involved as a cantor, server, choir member or lector can be helpful. I find that I’m more attentive on the days when I’m cantoring, even thought my mind still wanders and I still need to consciously bring it back where it belongs often.

I recommend the book “The Mass” by Joan Carter McHugh. She goes into great detail about EVERY aspect of the Mass, it’s meaning and history. It’s not deep and confusing but really easy to understand,perfect for people like you and me. Read through the book slowly, choosing one or two things to truly consentrate on each week. Myabe at first you’ll really concentrate on what you’re doing when you dip your fingers in holy water and make the sign of the cross as you come in and go out. Maybe then you’ll focus your mind on just what you’re doing when you’re singing the opening song. As you learning the riches contained in the Mass you will come to a greater appreciation of it. Then, during the times when your mind wanders you’ll have something to really focus on.

Let’s keep each other in prayer on this matter!

In Christ,
Nancy 🙂
 
And it never occurred to you to learn a little Polish?
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Why?Who would I speak it too, my grandmother has been dead for 10 years and I was able to communicate with her sufficiently non-verbally.

Remember that 90% of ALL communication is non-verbal.
 
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Youngcatholic:
I find I have a pretty hard time paying attention at mass. I listen for about 2 seconds, then I start daydreaming or thinking about other things. I say the prayers but often times I have a hard time putting much effort into it. I find I am generally bored at mass. I know mass is not supposed to be entertainment, but I am not too happy with my lethargy and lack of interest. Any help is appreciated. -Young Catholic
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I’m very confused by this post. How could anyone have any trouble whatsoever paying attention at a Mass said in English? If it was a Latin Mass, I could certainly understand. Before the Holy Spirit led the Church out of the Dark Ages and into the brave new world of the English Mass, nobody paid attention. They just mumbled their beads and stared at the pretty stained glass.

Now that we have an English Mass, we have FULL and ACTIVE participation! It is impossible not to pay attention! It is impossible to be bored witnessing the Spirit at work in the inspired homilies questioning Church teaching, in the Barry Manilow-like hymns, in the glad handing and hand-holding! The Spirit has even led us to turn our pre-Mass time into a howdee-do meet and greet! None of this medieval, pre-Vatican II silence! No sirree!

I’m baffled, Young Catholic. The renewed liturgy shouldn’t bore anyone. If you can understand every word being said, your mind should never wander. FULL and ACTIVE pariticipation! Remember that!

Maybe you need to try a Life Teen Mass. Gathering 'round the altar at the consecration with your buds just might help you focus. Nothing wrong with a little liturgical abuse among friends. 😉
 
Dr. Bombay:
I’m very confused by this post. How could anyone have any trouble whatsoever paying attention at a Mass said in English? If it was a Latin Mass, I could certainly understand. Before the Holy Spirit led the Church out of the Dark Ages and into the brave new world of the English Mass, nobody paid attention. They just mumbled their beads and stared at the pretty stained glass.

Now that we have an English Mass, we have FULL and ACTIVE participation! It is impossible not to pay attention! It is impossible to be bored witnessing the Spirit at work in the inspired homilies questioning Church teaching, in the Barry Manilow-like hymns, in the glad handing and hand-holding! The Spirit has even led us to turn our pre-Mass time into a howdee-do meet and greet! None of this medieval, pre-Vatican II silence! No sirree!

I’m baffled, Young Catholic. The renewed liturgy shouldn’t bore anyone. If you can understand every word being said, your mind should never wander. FULL and ACTIVE pariticipation! Remember that!

Maybe you need to try a Life Teen Mass. Gathering 'round the altar at the consecration with your buds just might help you focus. Nothing wrong with a little liturgical abuse among friends. 😉
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:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
 
Dr. Bombay:
Maybe you need to try a Life Teen Mass. Gathering 'round the altar at the consecration with your buds just might help you focus. Nothing wrong with a little liturgical abuse among friends. 😉
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Liturgical Aerobics always help.

Sign the whole mass, “toss” your heart up with a little jump shot of the knees, handgestures for the Alleluia, hands up and sway for the Our Father, run around and shake hands up and down the aisle for the Handshake of Peace.

How can anyone be bored??
 
I’ve just recently returned to the catholic church after many years. I do not have much knowledge on religion, however I am trying to learn. My problem is that at mass I’m in the cry room because I’m afraid of my 5 month old making a fuss and didturbing others. I have problems understanding the sermons from here because I can’t hear them very well. the speaker is on, yet I am still straining to hear what is going on. Should I go somewhere else??
 
“Barry Manilow-like hymns”----Yes, now I understand the sacrifice of the mass. Why does it have to be so painful? Why is Satin personally attacking me? LOL!–nicolo
 
Anna's Mom:
I’ve just recently returned to the catholic church after many years. I do not have much knowledge on religion, however I am trying to learn. My problem is that at mass I’m in the cry room because I’m afraid of my 5 month old making a fuss and didturbing others. I have problems understanding the sermons from here because I can’t hear them very well. the speaker is on, yet I am still straining to hear what is going on. Should I go somewhere else??
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Yes, you should be in the pews with your baby. I would only leave for the crying room if the baby actually starts to really cry. People love babies, and most realize that a little noise accompanies a baby at Mass. When a baby makes noise at our Church, the priest tells the parents not to leave, and reminds the parishioners that children are the future of the Church.
 
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Kielbasi:
Why?Who would I speak it too, my grandmother has been dead for 10 years and I was able to communicate with her sufficiently non-verbally.

Remember that 90% of ALL communication is non-verbal.
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😃 LOL thats why everyone finds it weird that I want to learn Polish - even my grandmother does not remember much Polish (her parents were immigrants and they spoke to the kids in Polish so they would learn Polish, but the kids spoke to them in English so that they themselves would learn some English) Anyway, I guess I should just be thankful that my grandmother never forgot how to make galumkis!!!
I think in the winter its harder to pay attention, particularly as Catholics traditionally keep their coats on in church. A down parka is is similar enough to my bed clothes particularly in the early morning.
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Really? Interesting - yet another Catholic custom I need to remember - don’t take coat off in Church… I’m assuming they don’t have much heat on in the church then? Interesting - someone needs to write a book about all the little things that aren’t spiritually important, but would still help converts figure out Catholic “culture”
 
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