Question about leaving Mass early

  • Thread starter Thread starter Canvas
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Canvas

Guest
I was in another country on Palm Sunday. The Mass was scheduled from 9 to 11 am. My wife and i got a taxi to the Church and stayed through the Mass, through Communion and still things kept going. Our driver was scheduled to pick us up at 11. A little after 11, the final blessing and procession hadnt happened yet, but my wife told me it was past 11. So we were there more than 2 hours by then. In the states the only Mass that i have been to that went that long was the Easter Vigil. So my wife is like “we gotta go”. On the way out a person from the Church stopped me and questioned me. I almost always stay until the Celebrant has processed, but the driver was there. I dont know how much longer it was going to continue, but the Mass was scheduled for 9 to 11. So we left but i still felt wrong for leaving before the final blessing and procession. I have never been to a Mass that so much happened AFTER Communion. I almost never leave Mass early, before the Celebrant, but i was in a different country and had no vehicle of my own. What do you think?
 
Last edited:
You may have committed a social taboo in the eyes of their culture. But I don’t think you committed a sin in the eyes of God. 🙂
 
I felt bad. The people were so friendly and welcoming. It was a good service and i would not have left under normal circumstances.
 
I’m curious where you are. This sounds a lot like my experiences living and traveling throughout Latin America. In these Latino cultures, time doesn’t shape you, you shape time. It’s an adjustment to the Anglo-blooded like Yours Truly, but I’m glad to have experienced it.
 
If you’re well-acquainted with anyone at the Mass, consider apologizing profusely and getting together for lunch or dinner. You were unsure of their customs . . . and whether or not you’d lose your ride!

Otherwise, let it go and consider it a future-reference lesson to wait until after Mass to call a cab. And enjoy Jamaica! <3
 
Last edited:
Already on a plane home. I have to say, their Mass was very lively. Very different from any Catholic Church i have been to in the US. The music was so festive. And the people were great. I hope we didnt cause offense.
 
You are fine. My husband and I have had oblgations after Mass. The Father has a long-winded homily. Then someone speaks. We’ve needed to leave before the blessing before. Don’t make a habit of it but not an issue.
 
Andy235 said:
Already on a plane home. I have to say, their Mass was very lively. Very different from any Catholic Church i have been to in the US. The music was so festive. And the people were great. I hope we didnt cause offense.
Click to expand...
While Jamaica is relatively safe for Americans, I’m not sure advising someone with small children who doesn’t have personal ties (ie family or friends) in a foreign country to stay out as it nears midnight is a good idea—even if it’s for church and not recreation.
 
Let your heart not be troubled…be at peace.

Jesus does not stand over the Mass with a stopwatch and a scorecard…it may have bothered the observer,that’s he cross to bear… but it should not bother you.

Pax et bonum!
 
Last edited:
The Priests notice, first and foremost.
I’ve read it in the bulletin - many times - not to do it.
I’m the type who is first to arrive - last to leave -
And I never understood why some Catholics consistently do it.
I’ve seen them, year after year.

They are like the people who come in late…
and walk up to the seventh row -
while the Psalm recital part is happening -
Sometimes during the homily…they arrive late.

A taxi to church 😛 never heard of that before !
 
I remember going to Mass in Las Vegas years ago on a trip and the ushers actually blocked the aisles after Communion. I think they were trying to prevent early exits. And a taxi was the best option i had considering i was so far from home. I was far from home plus they drive on the left, so i wouldnt want to be driving anyway.
 
Last edited:
Never good idea to book cab b4. But I have seen people leave b4 communion - to avoid collecton maybe. Now thats rude but was the person telli ng you off when they should have adked if you ok
 
He didnt tell me off and wasnt rude, but he did ask me what I was doing and if I took Communion. I told him i was not from there and our ride we arranged was picking us up. He seemed to be “policing”.
 
Andy235 said:
I remember going to Mass in Las Vegas years ago on a trip and the ushers actually blocked the aisles after Communion. I think they were trying to prevent early exits.
Click to expand...
I’ve never seen that here (in Las Vegas)–but then, if I’m at a latin right Mass here, it’s generally a KofC event or a funeral . . . (but I was once part of a very large “honor guard” that was there to watch for someone who had threatened the bishop . . .)
And a taxi was the best option i had considering i was so far from home. I was far from home plus they drive on the left,
Click to expand...
Yikes!

We have bad drivers from all over the country here, enough so the you can often tell where they’re from by their habits, but I’ve never seen anyone drive on the left! (although I’ve seen it on the news a couple of times).

We do drive a family or two back to the airport or casinos every month (which really isn’t very far).

hawk
 
Last edited:
I gave to the collection and took Communion, but their service went on for a while AFTER Communion was finished. Very different than any Mass i have been to in the US.
 
Last edited:
I believe this was at the Cathedral of the Las Vegas Diocese. A few miles from the big hotels. 2011 i think. Never seen it before or since.
 
Jamaica was a British colony until 1962 so they do much the British way (like driving on the left, steering wheels on passenger side.)
 
Andy235 said:
I believe this was at the Cathedral of the Las Vegas Diocese. A few miles from the big hotels. 2011 i think. Never seen it before or since.
Click to expand...
But right next to the older hotels (although the Riveria next door was imploded a couple of years ago, and two more across the street a few years before that).

It was originally built by the casinos–they offered the bishop (of Reno, at the time) to build the church if he would offer a 4:30AM (?) Mass for the workers coming off shift Sunday morning. In time it became the co-cathedral, and then the cathedral of the new diocese.

When I first visited here ('89 or '90), it had Mass on the hour, every hour, with Mass on the half-hour in the hall, and a 2:30 Saturday only for tourists. The priest also told people not to be shy about dropping casino chips in the collection. 🤣

Now, there’s the shrine at the south end of the strip (and the bishop had to step in and waive restrictions to allow a couple of casinos to be built near it. He went to the county with a more polite version of “we built it for visitors, you morons; don’t not build a hotel because it’s there to serve them!” [what, no :headsmack: emoji?] )

hawk
 
It’s ok. In another country, you can only do as it is possible for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top