Problem Getting A Seat At Mass

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The protestants brought the pews in as the sermons got longer. The spoken word took over and sermons went from 5-10 minutes up to 45-60 minutes depending upon denomination. Communion wasn’t celebrated every Sunday so people needed to sit.

There are still Eastern Catholics and Orthodox who stand for the entire liturgi in some countries/parishes. The few seats available are for those in need because of ill health or old age.
 
kill051 said:
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HeDa:
Be glad that there are seats left! There are lots of folks in my parish that are “making penance” kneeling on the stone floor during the Eucharistic prayer because there are not enough seating places available. And they are on time for Mass! We need yet another Mass 😅
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I have heard (possibly apocryphal) stories that, in the early Middle Ages, the parishioners stood for the entire Mass, as seating was not provided. Thank God I live in 2018!
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Not legend at all.

Protestants invented pews.

Now, most people did sit and kneel, (not stand the whole time) but they did so directly on the floor.
 
I have often wished for a time machine so I could go back and observe medieval life and see what it was really like. I’ve an idea the thing I would notice the most would be the overwhelming odors: unwashed bodies, chamber pots emptied directly into the streets, animals everywhere, &c. I would of course be completely unable to communicate verbally, even with English-speakers due to the complete transformation of the language over the centuries. I am also curious what the food would taste of. I have read that only the very rich ate meat regularly, which makes sense, but that it was either excessively salted in order to preserve it, or excessively spiced in order to disguise the flavor of carrion. Anyone other than the very wealthiest citizens apparently ate a mostly vegetarian diet. Of course I am speaking of Europe now.
 
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kill051 said:
I have often wished for a time machine so I could go back and observe medieval life and see what it was really like. I’ve an idea the thing I would notice the most would be the overwhelming odors: unwashed bodies, chamber pots emptied directly into the streets, animals everywhere, &c. I would of course be completely unable to communicate verbally, even with English-speakers due to the complete transformation of the language over the centuries. I am also curious what the food would taste of. I read that only the very rich ate meat regularly, which makes sense, but that it was either excessively salted in order to preserve it, or excessively spiced in order to disguise the flavor of carrion. Anyone other than the very wealthiest citizens apparently ate a mostly vegetarian diet. Of course I am speaking of Europe now.
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You’re probably speaking of more innercity Europe. Those who lived rurally would depend on small game, especially in winter.
 
I think after a very short time of observation I’d be so grateful to come back to 2018! 🤣
 
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Yes, of course. But when I think of earlier centuries, rightly or wrongly I usually picture urban life, probably as rural life seems not to have changed quite as drastically as urban life over the millennia.
 
kill051 said:
Yes, of course. But when I think of earlier centuries, rightly or wrongly I usually picture urban life, probably as rural life seems not to have changed quite as drastically as urban life over the millennia.
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Well, urban life only began with the industrialization. Have you ever watched things like “Lark Rise to Candleford”

Economically enforced vegetarianism was not healthy given the local food and water supplies.
 
Oh, I have Hulu on my phone. I also have Amazon Prime. I’ll have to give it a look.
 
CD45 said:
If I couldn’t find an available seat that was comfortable for me, I would have gone to the after-Mass tea early. (God will be there next week—arrive a little earlier.).
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I don’t know. Is that a valid reason to miss mass? I guess if one has physical issues, it could be.
 
I’m not sure. Do the Church Fathers speak about this problem?😂
 
Yah. I don’t like the sign or peace. It’s something I prefer in the Extraordinary Form that there is none. I feel like it takes the focus off of God and puts it into a social context. Not criticizing the OF just saying I could live without it. I usually don’t do anything but look to the side and bow my head at people. It distracts me from the sacrifice of the Mass.
 
Join the choir. I’ve had the same seat at every mass since 2004.😂
 
“Yah. I don’t like the sign or peace. It’s something I prefer in the Extraordinary Form that there is none. I feel like it takes the focus off of God and puts it into a social context. Not criticizing the OF just saying I could live without it. I usually don’t do anything but look to the side and bow my head at people. It distracts me from the sacrifice of the Mass.</quote”

The sign of peace is the place in the mass where traditionally people actually left the building and went to make peace with those in the community that they had issues with. It was for reconciling our sins with our brethren in order to help purify ourselves for the Eucharist. When the people returned, the mass continued. Today we simply make peace with those around us, but if you think of it in historical terms, it has great meaning and is a necessary, integral part of the mass…

The Deacon, or the Priest, proclaims:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

John 20:19, 21
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Romans 16:16
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

And all offer one another the customary sign of peace: a handclasp or handshake, or other regional, socially acceptable form of greeting which is an expression of peace, communion, and charity.
 
Oh I know. Actually Saint Justin Martyr says in his First Apology chapter 65 ( ca 155) ,

"But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation.

Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands.

And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to ge’noito [so be it].

And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion."

It isn’t a new invention in the Mass of Paul Vl. Actually it is said in the Mass of Pius V but without the exchanging of hands. I don’t know in theory I think it’s good but in practice I think it is disruptive to the Mass. I just want to focus on Christ and not be wondering why someone behind me doesn’t acknowledge me. It’s just my opinion.
 
Xanthippe_Voorhees said:
After a quick peck with my husband, I spend my time ensuring my children don’t hurl themselves 3 pews down to get more handshakes than their siblings.
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Ah, the problems of outgoing people! My shy kids stay nice and close, practically hanging on me the entire time. I have to force them to be polite and shake hands with those who offer.
 
babochka said:
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Xanthippe_Voorhees:
After a quick peck with my husband, I spend my time ensuring my children don’t hurl themselves 3 pews down to get more handshakes than their siblings.
Click to expand...
Ah, the problems of outgoing people! My shy kids stay nice and close, practically hanging on me the entire time. I have to force them to be polite and shake hands with those who offer.
Click to expand...
Two introverts don’t make more introverts, apparently.
 
Xanthippe_Voorhees said:
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babochka:
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Xanthippe_Voorhees:
After a quick peck with my husband, I spend my time ensuring my children don’t hurl themselves 3 pews down to get more handshakes than their siblings.
Click to expand...
Ah, the problems of outgoing people! My shy kids stay nice and close, practically hanging on me the entire time. I have to force them to be polite and shake hands with those who offer.
Click to expand...
Two introverts don’t make more introverts, apparently.
Click to expand...
We’re a mixed marriage, with mixed results. I’m an introvert, my husband is an extrovert. We’ve got 3 introverts and three extroverts.
 
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