Should we be quiet or socializing before Mass?

[dc369]

I seem to remember awhile back the US Bishops came out with a directive that there should be quiet in the Church before Mass so the congregation can reverently get themselves ready to celebrate the Eucharist. My priest just told us that before Mass we should be talking to our fellow parishioners and catching up on things with them, in other words socializing. Can anyone provide me with and official response to this? Thank you.

 

[VociMike]

Well, the GIRM commends it:

45…Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

And this USCCB document reiterates it:

“Upon entering the church, we should maintain reverent silence so that we and those around us are able to pray before Mass begins. This will ensure that we are at peace within ourselves and with others. Such recollection helps to eliminate distractions and allows us to focus more easily on the great mystery of the Eucharistic celebration in which we are about to participate”

 

[dc369]

Well, the GIRM commends it:

45…Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.

And this USCCB document reiterates it:

“Upon entering the church, we should maintain reverent silence so that we and those around us are able to pray before Mass begins. This will ensure that we are at peace within ourselves and with others. Such recollection helps to eliminate distractions and allows us to focus more easily on the great mystery of the Eucharistic celebration in which we are about to participate”

Thanks, this gives me something to show my priest.

 

[puzzleannie]

I seem to remember awhile back the US Bishops came out with a directive that there should be quiet in the Church before Mass so the congregation can reverently get themselves ready to celebrate the Eucharist. .

I wish
I have also suffered in my last 3 parishes from meet and greet syndrom, like they don’t already spend enough time chattering outside so loud you can hear them inside.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I seem to remember awhile back the US Bishops came out with a directive that there should be quiet in the Church before Mass so the congregation can reverently get themselves ready to celebrate the Eucharist. My priest just told us that before Mass we should be talking to our fellow parishioners and catching up on things with them, in other words socializing. Can anyone provide me with and official response to this? Thank you.

From what you posted here, its impossible to know whether your priest was talking about outside of church or inside.

I wouldn’t think he’d be advocating talking in church.

Jim

 

[SORROWS]

I feel the Priest was probably talking about before entering the Church. Many meet and greet outside and it is nice.
Inside should be respectful reverence for Our Lord who is present and prayer.

 

[Sarabande]

I worked for a pastor who wanted and encouraged the congregation to talk in church prior to mass and even had them greet each other after the processional hymn. It was quite pandemonium. That and many other things that pastor did made me decide that he destroyed the solemnity and reverence of that parish and turned it into a social event. He would also permit the lectors to come up to read with their starbucks coffee in their hands or rested on the pulpit. He also has those screens sitting on top of the heads of Mary and St. Joseph, and had tossed tons of religious artifacts, books, old bibles in German, etc. that were from the early days of that parish back in the early 1800s. Many people did not know about this, but the building keeper took me into the garage and showed it all to me. He and a small group of people who did know about it were livid.

Don’t get me wrong, I like social events. That parish actually had a very strong community AFTER mass. It was a small parish and I LOVED the community there. I never felt so connected with the people and my students. I was sad to leave that position, but I had to for my own sanity and stress. I know he didn’t want me there anyway because I was so opposite of what he wanted. They hired some kid who had some liturgical training, but didn’t know how to play an organ (which was a fine pipe organ), could only strum chords on a guitar - not even a good guitar player - and used a fake book to play a keyboard. He didn’t even know how to direct the bell choir, so they got someone to volunteer their time to do that. I found out from the parents that the students called him Mr. DoDo. They wanted me back. Horrible for them to call him that, but unfortunately, that is what the children thought of him, his teaching and his performing.

 

[anamchara]

Our priests are trying to discourage socializing before Mass. So far it hasn’t worked yet but these things take time. I have noticed more whispering. So that’s an improvement. It’s amazing how quiet and respectful people will be in a library but inside a Church where people are trying to have a moments peace and pray I don’t get it.