I see that and I suffer from PTSD. With PTSD, I have “triggers” which make me angry, sometimes on the inside and sometimes it creeps out.
I am bothered by the people who talk out loud before Mass and during Mass, making it hard for me to pray. People are chatting in the local adoration chapel, where it is specifically posted to not talk ! I spoke to the lady in charge and she told me it is very quiet from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (“right” I think to myself – I am the problem.)
I waste time and gas driving there only to find that the chapel has been overtaken by people who don’t want to follow the rules for respecting others.
Aside from being ordinarily upset about these abuses, my PTSD makes me confrontational. That was the last time I went to Mass, about 3 months ago. (I have a letter from my bishop saying I don’t have to confess if I can’t attend Mass – well, how do I know until I go there and see what’s happening?) Then, when I go there, and see what I find, I get push back from other people who quickly conclude that it’s my problem. They have no awareness of Canon 1205 which deals with appropriate conduct in ‘sacred places.’ I am “right” but I lose the battle.
It’s like in the book of Judges, every man does pretty much what he wants to. There’s mostly retired people at the two churches in my parish, and age/death will empty the pews in time. I would think the older people would have more respect but it isn’t so.
