Questions about Mass from a Newbie

[pianistclare]

I also find it interesting that in a culture where many threads are devoted to receiving communion worthily and proper postures for receiving that people are watching HOW people receive and WHO receives.

My husband used to joke about all the little old ladies in his parish in Ireland and their famous phrase** " Ooooooooooo Seamus O’Shea wasn’t at the rails for 2 weeks in a row…ooooooooo there’s a story there! Wonder what the lad’s been up to???"**

Would be funny if it weren’t so sad. Forest for the trees…
So much for silent, personal prayer. That’s why I have to close my eyes. Or else I’m guilty of this very thing. I have to watch myself.

 

[maryjk]

Absolutely. I NEVER go to confession here. I work in the parish. My pastor will not hear my confession because I am his employee. Only one priest. I go “where nobody knows my name” LOL.
Penance services are more difficult. All the pastor and vicars in the Deanery know me.

I don’t have a problem going to someone that knows me. In fact, one of my best confessions, the one that made me grow the most, was a confession right after my Mom confessed. I knew the priest. I confessed that I was weary of being the caregiver for my Dad. But being the caregiver to my Mom wasn’t anywhere near as draining. The priest suggested I talk to my Mom about it. I did, and I found out that she was worried about me and how much she was taking out of me. She also had confessed that she was weary of helping me with her husband, my Dad. It ended up that we could support each other when Dad got on our nerves.

But, I simply won’t go to my boss, unless I have to.

 

[stavros388]

It is very difficult to say anything is a mortal sin.

Why?

Because no matter what, all three conditions must be present. If one of those aren’t met, then it isn’t mortal.

Oh, and I haven’t committed that particular sin in many decades. This particular sin might be a stumbling block for you, but it isn’t for everyone.

I’m not much for discussing here and now whether or not this particular sin is a stumbling block of mine, thanks. But good for you!

This venial/mortal differentiation is very new to me, too, I’m afraid…

 

[pianistclare]

I don’t have a problem going to someone that knows me. In fact, one of my best confessions, the one that made me grow the most, was a confession right after my Mom confessed. I knew the priest. I confessed that I was weary of being the caregiver for my Dad. But being the caregiver to my Mom wasn’t anywhere near as draining. The priest suggested I talk to my Mom about it. I did, and I found out that she was worried about me and how much she was taking out of me. She also had confessed that she was weary of helping me with her husband, my Dad. It ended up that we could support each other when Dad got on our nerves.

But, I simply won’t go to my boss, unless I have to.

I don’t mind going to the ones I know…but they tend to talk shop.
Pastor has a policy. No employee confessions.

There is a young priest that is the most awesome confessor…I taught his brothers…I love going to him. He’s very insightful and compassionate. you can tell he is happy in his vocation.

 

[ArchAngeles]

Now that you mention this, I have seen people receiving a blessing rather than the Body and Blood. I have never gone up for such a blessing because the priest is usually at the line-up on the other side of the parish… and I don’t think the lay person distributing the Body can offer a blessing… am I correct? Perhaps a lot of people are only lining up for a blessing… I’ve never really paid close attention either way!

Congratulations and best wishes on your journey to the Church!

Thanks! Yes, my understanding is that only a Deacon or Priest can offer a blessing.

 

[ArchAngeles]

Bring a hankie as I found tears coming into my eyes when I got fully Baptised .

P.S. Try if you can doing a week end retreat in a Monastery of Monks, -Wow mind blowing.

I’ve never been to a monastic retreat although I’d love to try that some day. My parish has a requirement for those seeking confirmation to attend at least one weekend retreat that they offer a couple times during the year. I went to one last March and yes, it was intense and “mind blowing!”

The weekend experience was very emotional for me. Because of that I can see where the the full first confirmation will almost certainly be even more so. I am hoping and praying that I can just “keep it together” at that point when I’m going through it! I am looking forward to it very much.

 

[Miserissima]

Why are we looking at other people saying, “sinner!” when out of charity we should be saying, “saint!” and “I wish I were more like he who doesn’t need to go to confession as often as I.”

 

[WingsOfEagles]

Why are we looking at other people saying, “sinner!” when out of charity we should be saying, “saint!” and “I wish I were more like he who doesn’t need to go to confession as often as I.”

The likelihood of literally everyone in the church being “clean” every week isn’t good. Saturday confessions are generally empty and some people definitely skip Mass and receive the next week without confession. Add in cohabitation issues that one May happen to know about and…you get the picture…

 

[ProVobis]

Most sins are venial sins, which are forgiven in the Mass.

Maybe but the punishment due those sins does not get remitted. That would take indulgenced acts or prayers, many of them which require confession, communion, and prayers for the intention of the Pope.

One can also apply the indulgences he earns for someone who is in purgatory, not a bad thing.

 

[ProVobis]

Why are we looking at other people saying, “sinner!” when out of charity we should be saying, “saint!” and “I wish I were more like he who doesn’t need to go to confession as often as I.”

It seems one Pope who reportedly confessed daily was just canonized recently so I don’t understand your point.

 

[pianistclare]

I think what people are saying is that we shouldn’t even be contemplating the communion lines…who’s in them, who’s not. None of us are the Sacrament police. Nor the liturgy police.
If a pastor feels like his congregation needs a talking to about receiving worthily, or regular confessions he should just do it.
But I myself, am not comfortable assuming what are the sins or the type of sins on another person’s soul. And I would certainly hope that others are not judging me on my way to the table.
With so many threads dedicated to paying close attention to Him, laid bare on the altar, how can we let our minds go there?

 

[stavros388]

I think what people are saying is that we shouldn’t even be contemplating the communion lines…who’s in them, who’s not. None of us are the Sacrament police. Nor the liturgy police.
If a pastor feels like his congregation needs a talking to about receiving worthily, or regular confessions he should just do it.
But I myself, am not comfortable assuming what are the sins or the type of sins on another person’s soul. And I would certainly hope that others are not judging me on my way to the table.
With so many threads dedicated to paying close attention to Him, laid bare on the altar, how can we let our minds go there?

What some people are saying is pretty clear. But… “Sacrament police”??? Speaking for myself, I am a brand new Catholic and just came with a couple of questions hoping for some Catholic answers, one about an overall trend or custom I’ve observed in my parish. And my questioning garnered some answers (THANKS), and maybe a little Catholic pontificating, too!

 

[ProVobis]

This practice arises from the pre-Vatican II rubric for the priest in which a small cross was traced with the thumb over the forehead, lips, and breast prior to his reading of the Gospel while whispering the words:

“Munda cor meum, ac labia mea, omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiae Prophetae calculo mundasti ignition: ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut sanctum Evangelim tuum digne valeam nutiare. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. Jube, Domine, benedicere. Dominus sit in corde meo et in labiis meis: ut digne et competenter annuitiem Evangelium suum. Amen.”

which means:

“Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God, as you cleansed the lips of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal. In your mercy so cleanse me that I may worthly proclaim your Holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Bless me, O Lord. The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily and fittingly proclaim his Gospel. Amen.”

.

A very beautiful prayer which has even more meaning when incensed is used.

 

[pianistclare]

What some people are saying is pretty clear. But… “Sacrament police”??? Speaking for myself, I am a brand new Catholic and just came with a couple of questions hoping for some Catholic answers, one about an overall trend or custom I’ve observed in my parish. And my questioning garnered some answers (THANKS), and maybe a little Catholic pontificating, too!

Well, that’s my whole point. We can’t assume why people are not in line. We just can’t. They may go elsewhere. They may have a regular confessor in another parish. Or, they might be in a state of mortal sin…a good thing. Or they may just go twice a year. There is no answer. Just many possibilities.
Welcome home!

 

[stavros388]

Well, that’s my whole point. We can’t assume why people are not in line. We just can’t. They may go elsewhere. They may have a regular confessor in another parish. Or, they might be in a state of mortal sin…a good thing. Or they may just go twice a year. There is no answer. Just many possibilities.
Welcome home!

I think you’re absolutely correct (assuming you meant not a good thing re: mortal sin, which I am sure you did). For each individual, only he or she knows, and God knows! I just don’t want to start out on the wrong foot and develop any bad habits right off the get-go. Wondering about the condition of my Catholic brothers and sisters as they approach the Eucharist is one thing I will try not to do.

Welcome home!

Thank you!

 

[ProVobis]

For each individual, only he or she knows,

I’m not sure this is always true. It seems like a lot of people don’t want to be told or are in denial with what they’re doing may be gravely sinful or lead others to grave sin. So technically they may not be in mortal sin but the scandal still remains. That’s why bishops (and priests) may withhold communion from someone. They’re not judging the state of their souls, which AFAIK is only reserved to God, but trying to eliminate scandal.

 

[Dorothy]

And, it is my understanding, that if a person through ignorance sins mortally, even though they are not culpable, it harms their spirit. Is that correct?

 

[ProVobis]

And, it is my understanding, that if a person through ignorance sins mortally, even though they are not culpable, it harms their spirit. Is that correct?

It could very well. Rationalization ('it can’t be that bad," “did not give full consent,” etc.) can’t be good for spirituality either.