I have arrived late to mass & I did stroll up to receive Communion, thats why I went late or not, I went there for the EucharistI don’t think that’s the point. Just because you can stroll in late and receive Communion doesn’t mean you should.
Note that “Eucharist” means more than “Blessed Sacrament.” The entire Paschal Mystery is part of the “Eucharist”, most specifically the Sacrifice of Jesus to His Father for our sins. That is the primary reason we attend Mass. It is not to receive Holy Communion.
Please don’t get defensive. I don’t think the OP is talking about people who run into a problem and are late. That can happen to anyone. The OP said they saw about 100 people while sitting there. I don’t think that many people had a crisis.
I strongly dissagree, once the bread & wine is consecrated, it then becomes the Body & Blood of Jesus, whether I am late or not, & I doubt that it is abominable for me to receive & to set it straight, I am usually 20 minutes to a half hr early, man U catholics can find fault with anything…
If I was late, it was because of certain circumstances that I was, & I am Sure the Good Lord Understands, for he knows. I doubt if it was 100, why is he or she sitting there counting, just be happy they do arrive, I never look down my nose at anyone who arrives late, that is their business
Stromboli did not say receiving when late is abominable, he said the mindset is abominable. However, I disagree. If I found myself near a church where mass or a communion service were taking place (perhaps after a fitness run!), I would consider dropping in to attend part or all of it, if I didn’t think it would be distracting for those already there. If that included communion, and I were disposed, I would receive. I don’t see the problem. It’s better to attend a full mass than part of a mass, but all other things being equal, it’s better to attend part of a mass than no mass.
I agree with you Digit,& I doubt its distracting, only to busybodies, if someone arrives late
It certainly can be distracting, if say you stink from your fitness run, or if the church door makes a loud minute-long creak when closed, or if the church is laid out in a way that means a large number of people will be facing you when you enter, or if your attire is ridiculously inappropriate. If the mass is your only opportunity to meet your obligation it might be a different story, but in the situation we are discussing where someone is just dropping in for part of a mass, I would weigh these factors more highly, since you don’t truly need to be at that mass - therefore it may be proper to show respect for the congregation (some of whom, as you noted, are more easily distracted) by not attending.
No, if You are there for the right reason, nothing will distract you, if all You do is notice who comes late or who smells from his morning jog, then u are already distracted, your a busybody, how come this stuff doesnt bother me, possibly some of them who come late are better catholics then those who are early, everyone has to work out his salvation his way, & we are talking about a person who runs late for mass , not one who is just dropping in for part of a mass. There are some people who habitually run late for everything, I am sure God still loves them
Well, you seem to be looking down your nose at him for daring to say that it was about 100 aren’t you? You seem to be saying he is not being truthful. He had been jogging and sat down to rest on a bench by the Church, remember? He wasn’t going to Mass at that particular time. He stated that he was so suprised by the number that he took notice…that’s how he came up with the 100. Nobody said he sat there and counted.
Here’s something I found.
Guess what, next mass they will leave early anyway, & U got me wrong bud, I dont look down my nose at anyone i believe in Live & let live, why should he care who arrives late, let him read his missal before mass or tend to his prayers rather than count how many arrive late. When I go to mass i go there to be refreshed, not to look for the wrong, I am not a scholar, But i think a lot of catholics are dumb & too judgmental, I go to church to see the beauty & i see it all the time rather than count the people who arrive lateWell, you seem to be looking down your nose at him for daring to say that it was about 100 aren’t you? You seem to be saying he is not being truthful. He had been jogging and sat down to rest on a bench by the Church, remember? He wasn’t going to Mass at that particular time. He stated that he was so suprised by the number that he took notice…that’s how he came up with the 100. Nobody said he sat there and counted.
I repeat…no one is talking about people with a legitimate reason. Whether the number is ten or 100 is irrelevant. I think the issue was that some people seem to think it’s no big deal to come in late all the time, just as some people leave early all the time. It does matter. It’s disrespectful.
A few months ago we had a priest visiting. I can’t remember the circumstances. He wanted to say Mass one morning for our priest (who has no asst. priest). Our priest happened to come into the foyer before Mass was over. He waited there. He made a comment in the bulletin the next week about all the surprised faces he saw when they came out of Mass before it was over and saw him standing there!
Oh my goodness…can you not read a whole post?? HE wasn’t at that particular Mass. HE was sitting outside the Church on a bench and noticed the large number of people that went in late.
You dont know me, dont judge me, i missed the part where he said he was sitting outsideI have been going to mass for years & I usually sit in the rear, I have never seen that many people come in late & if they did, it didnt bother me. Trust me i dont look down my nose at anyone, I have a very tender conscience probably more tender than yours, you sound like another one of them know it alls
Yes, I can tell how tender you are by how you say something intentionally insulting in each post while at the same time insisting that you don’t judge anyone. I’m done. Goodbye.
I hope you realize the principle reason we attend Mass is to be at the foot of Calvary with Jesus as He is sacrificed to His Father for our sins.
well You need to take a good look at yourself. You judged me first over nothing. So what if someone is late, give people a break, we all have different situations to deal with.with all the abuses toward the Eucharist, we worry if someone arrives late, how petty, only 20% of the catholic population across the country & the world I guess attend mass, 80% dont. Be Glad for the ones who do . This CAF here always manages to make me feel like i dont know a thing about the religion, maybe I should start over ,guess I got it all wrong according to ya`ll