Sitting in the back

[PatriceA]

We sit about 3/4 up towards the front.

Its taken a long time to get that far up towards the front. My dad who would have been 80 this year, was raised that only the rich people sit up front, the poorer people sat in the back. He never would sit up front, even when he was a successful business man. That was just the way he was raised.

 

[Mrs_V]

We are another family with young children that prefers sitting near the front because it engages the children. Pre-kids we would sit nearer to the center.

We also like to get to mass about 10-15mins early so that the little ones have a chance to look around and get used to the excitement of being at church before the service actually starts. As they get older and are learning more about the faith they get excited about pointing and naming things.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I never really liked sitting in the back, but this past Saturday I did and I kind of like it because I can see practically EVERYTHING when I sit in the back. I kind of like it knowing I don’t have people sitting behind me. It makes me a little uncomfortable sitting in front of other people. Other times my family and I will sit closer to the front, and I like that too because I can see the sanctuary a little better.

 

[sugarbreak]

We always sat in the back of church when we moved to the area and when we were going through RCIA. Since we couldn’t receive the Eucharist, we just wanted to be out of the way for others. Our family was sort of adopted by some wonderful old ladies that sat in the back pew (we always sit in front of them). Now that we are in full communion, we still sit in back with them. When asked, we say because “we have people.”

 

[puzzleannie]

Anyone have any ideas on why people tend to sit in the back?

my personal opinion? if your parents sat in the back, that’s what you do, if in the front, you continue the habit. I sit in the 11th row by the window, behind the 1st communicants. that is my pew, don’t make me carve my initials in it. facetious but I think we feel “ownership” of our spot. I could close my eyes and tell you who sits around me each week. that is also why people hate me during 1st comm time.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

my personal opinion? if your parents sat in the back, that’s what you do, if in the front, you continue the habit. I sit in the 11th row by the window, behind the 1st communicants. that is my pew, don’t make me carve my initials in it. facetious but I think we feel “ownership” of our spot. I could close my eyes and tell you who sits around me each week. that is also why people hate me during 1st comm time.

My husband can do the same. He did just last night, actually, when we were discussing this thread. We were actually just noticing that all of the most active people in the parish sit in the back rows (we have a circular-type church). We were hypothesizing that many of them probably do this to spend time out of the spotlight, or to be able to quietly slip out for various parts of the mass (presentation of the gifts, music, etc…)

I think we’re seeing that everyone has a good reason for where they sit. The only real conclusion I can draw from this thread is that we can’t judge people, or their involvement/faith, based on where they sit in church.

 

[belmontmac]

We generally sit in the same area, habit I guess. Our children usually lead us right to the front row, thats where they like to sit, or if taken, as close as they can get us. Its cute. But we are usually in the same general area. It seems common at our parish, people seem to sit in the same general area every week.

 

[cheese_sdc]

A good priest once told me that in general, he can tell who is willing to give to the Church in the way of time and talent by where they sit in Mass. Those up front will do all they can, those in the back won’t sit foot on the grounds for anything outside of Mass.

Wow. Good priest? You sure?

When I was Catholic, I sat in the back - and during my time as a Catholic, I also was in the choir, taught CCD, helped with RCIA, taught confirmation, and helped clean the church twice a year. In fact, it felt like a vacation when I wasn’t at the church 2-3 times a week.

 

[ZxM]

sitting in the back is usually a bad idea cause you get crushed from the swell of people trying to get out as fast as possible.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Whitacre girl - I sit in the back when I can to see the whole Church worship and watch the Mass unfold. Three weeks a month I either read or EMHC. On my sunday “off” I prefer to “decrease” as it was said by John the Baptist. There are the folks in charge of collecting the weeklt food donation to SVDP, CCD teachers, other "off duty EMHC"s. Several times the priest or deacon will tap me to tell me something.

 

[choy]

i like sitting about a third of the way in front

usually the seats nearest to the front are reserved for the elderly and disabled, so that communion will either be brought to their seat or they don’t have to talk too far

 

[samovila]

When we were young adults my friends and I used to joke that the “sinners’ pews” were in the back of the church. Most often those of us who were chronically not disposed to receive communion sat in the back. My own mother was divorced and remarried without anulment, but dutifully attended mass each week without receiving so as a family we’ve sat in the same pew near the back of the church for the past 30 years. It becomes a habit. I’d love to move closer to the front when my kids are better able to sit through the mass without being a disruption.

 

[revert_jen]

A good priest once told me that in general, he can tell who is willing to give to the Church in the way of time and talent by where they sit in Mass. Those up front will do all they can, those in the back won’t sit foot on the grounds for anything outside of Mass.

Even good priests can have bad ideas. In the summer, I sit in the back. I can’t at other times of year because I have to sit with the rest of the choir.

Some people, like myself and other people who have posted on this thread, are just more comfortable having fewer people looking at them. Plus our church isn’t so big that there is any difficulty seeing even from the back. And in any case, the Mass is more about hearing than seeing. Except for the elevations, what does it matter what you can see if you are an adult? (I can see that with kids it would be different.)

My Dad (in another parish) sits in the back when he is not ushering, because that’s where the speakers for the sound system are so he can hear better.

So there are many reasons why people sit in the back. I don’t know that there is any evidence that it is because they are unwilling to set foot on the grounds outside of Mass.

–Jen

 

[desertPavel]

I’ve always wondered why (in general) people sit towards the back at church. At every church I’ve gone too, it seems the majority of people sit in the back few pews. I prefer sitting up front, so that I can see everything going on around the altar.

Anyone have any ideas on why people tend to sit in the back?

I sit in the back because I am 6’4" and I don’t like to draw attention to myself.

 

[srlucado]

When we were young adults my friends and I used to joke that the “sinners’ pews” were in the back of the church.

Show me a pew without a sinner in it, and I’ll show you an empty pew.

Now, the term “guilty conscience pew”…

(Though this thread clearly demonstrates the inaccuracy of that, too.)

 

[crenfro]

Hello.

Here are some thoughts:

I sit in the back mostly because I usually make it to Mass just in time and I don’t want to disturb anyone. I also sit in the back because I have social anxiety that I take daily medication for. Also, I often sit further away because – I know this sounds goofy, but I figure God won’t be as mad at me for my sins – yes I know His mercy is infinite – but this is what I’m thinking at the time.

And another thing – when I was a kid a lot of the other kids teased me way too much yet when it came to going to Mass up front they’d be, heads bowed piously and hands pointed toward Heaven…one of them even self-righteously pointed out in class how good they were because they were right there, up front, avoiding distractions…

And just one more thing, I don’t mind sitting up towards the front when I’m very early for Mass. I have a problem with rash judgment and the fewer people I observe the better. Also I take my glasses off during Mass except when the priest say “Behold the Lamb of God” since that’s a direct order and during Communion so I won’t trip on anything or anyone. I have a terrible fear of tripping and then the Communion line becoming like a downed row of dominoes. I guess I’m goofy.

I think some people sit in the back so no one will see them do the “Judas shuffle.”

God bless.

Anyone have any ideas on why people tend to sit in the back?

 

[mariyka]

We generally sit in the same area, habit I guess. Our children usually lead us right to the front row, thats where they like to sit, or if taken, as close as they can get us. Its cute. But we are usually in the same general area. It seems common at our parish, people seem to sit in the same general area every week.

I find that whatever church I attend, I end up in the same spot! Halfway back on the far right.

 

[RazzsMom]

I like to sit right up front…front row and toward the end of the pew which is the closest to the sanctuary. That way I am close to the ambo when I lector. It saves a delay walking to the ambo and I have bad knees, so I am slow to get up anyway.

I began sitting there when the kids were small so they would behave. They could see better there and were much quieter. I do remember however, one time the priest held up the Host, using one of the very large hosts about the size of a saucer. DD saw it, and being used to seeing a much smaller Host or the priest using a piece of the large Host, she spoke in a stage whisper, “MOM! Is he going to eat that WHOLE Thing??!!” It was pretty hard to keep from giggling and I heard a few others around us muffling theirs.

DH and I sat at the back recently just because that was the only spot and we were getting there late. We both disliked all the noise and agreed we like “our spot” better.

Our choir director says she knows everyone by where they sit at Mass, even though she sees only the back and top of their heads!

ANd lastly, our RCIA people always have reserved seating in the first two or three pews on both sides of the center aisle. They never sit at the back. We want the Church to be able to recognize the new persons and be able to greet them when they see them later.

 

[booksandmusic]

Our church is in a semi-circular design with the pew rows going from short in front to long in back, so I guess there are more people that sit in the middle to back of the church rather than the front simply because that is where the seats are.

I do prefer to sit in the back, not because I don’t think I should be up in front but because the lighting is softer, not as harsh; and you have a little bit more room to move around. I am sorry to hear some think your seating choice determines your status in the church.

I went to mass at another church once and the nuns were sitting behind me…what does that say?

 

[Khrystyne]

I’ve always wondered why (in general) people sit towards the back at church. At every church I’ve gone too, it seems the majority of people sit in the back few pews. I prefer sitting up front, so that I can see everything going on around the altar.

Anyone have any ideas on why people tend to sit in the back?

From what I’ve noticed over the years the further you go back in the Church to sit there seem to be varying degrees of sin consciousness. When I’ve sat in the back I’m usually the only one receiving communion AND the only one left standing waiting for the priest to exit.
I prefer sitting towards the front because I don’t get distracted and irritated.

Oi Veigh!