Staying focused during OF mass

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I recently began attending the EF of the mass, at a little chapel near my home. I’ve only been Catholic for two years, and have been at the OF the entire time…well, today, after having been to Latin mass for two weeks, I had to attend an OF mass. I had quite a difficult time concentrating! There are so many people involved in the mass itself, Eucharistic ministers, readers, some people kneeling, some standing. Probably didn’t help that today was the Diocesan Appeal so we watched a video instead of a sermon. I tried so hard to stay focused on Jesus’ presence, but I left feeling like I hadn’t been at mass at all.
I guess I’ve been a bit spoiled by the EF at this point:) But in all seriousness, when I do need to attend an OF mass, how do I stay focused? Has anyone else experienced this problem? I grew up Protestant, and now that I’ve experienced the Latin mass, I can really see the Protestant influences in the OF.
Anyway, I met my Sunday obligation, but it felt so strange.
Angela
 
Our minds wander. It’s human nature. The order of the Mass and the things that happened (readings, homily, consecration, etc.) are the same.

It helps to be recollected before Mass and to have your missal/prayer book with you so that you can follow and be saying your prayers instead of looking around, especially before and after communion.

It’s a good habit to train your self to simply bring your mind back every time you begin to wander. I have to do this even in Adoration when no one else is there! :o
 
I think the first thing to do is to stop contrasting the EF and the OF. If you keep on contrasting the two forms, you will really be distracted with their differences.

The second thing is to remember that you are there to worship and to partake in the Holy Sacrifice, not to watch what other people do at Mass. Focus on the readings, the prayers, and anticipation that you’re going to receive the Lord.
 
I usually stare at the wall. Seriously, it works, and you don’t notice anything.
 
Think about the presence of Jesus, and how He loves all the people there.
 
At the OF, I use the Daily Missal and read everything. It helps to settle the mind.
As a recent convert, I can remember my first OF Mass at my parish. To be honest, it all seemed a bit familiar.

At my first EF, I was overwhelmed. How I wish the OF and its vernacular followed the 62 Missal Trans. and rubrics for the EF. It has nothing to do with Latin, etc. It is solemn and reverent and its focus is on the Church Vertical.

As a former Baptist, I have had my fill of the horizontal. :rolleyes:

However, at both Masses, I am closer to Christ than I ever was sitting in the pew of my former church. I try to focus on that when I can’t make the EF once-a-month. 👍
 
If it’s really bad, such is the case at my home parish when I go home and is an occasion of sin for me, I’ll take out my 1962 Missal (it’s all I have) and read it just to get my mind focused on something other than uncharitable thoughts. Sometimes I’ll make a silent Act of Reparation and pray for the sanctification of clergy, specifically the priest offering Mass (this’ isn’t really an OF Mass thing. He’s just a really unholy priest and it reflects back into the pews) Such was the counsel of my confessor who says you can gain a lot of graces from an unholy priest.
 
newangela said:
I recently began attending the EF of the mass, at a little chapel near my home. I’ve only been Catholic for two years, and have been at the OF the entire time…well, today, after having been to Latin mass for two weeks, I had to attend an OF mass. I had quite a difficult time concentrating! There are so many people involved in the mass itself, Eucharistic ministers, readers, some people kneeling, some standing. Probably didn’t help that today was the Diocesan Appeal so we watched a video instead of a sermon. I tried so hard to stay focused on Jesus’ presence, but I left feeling like I hadn’t been at mass at all.
I guess I’ve been a bit spoiled by the EF at this point:) But in all seriousness, when I do need to attend an OF mass, how do I stay focused? Has anyone else experienced this problem? I grew up Protestant, and now that I’ve experienced the Latin mass, I can really see the Protestant influences in the OF.
Anyway, I met my Sunday obligation, but it felt so strange.
Angela
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The same thing happened to me as well. It made me realize the OF is not the form of Liturgy I’m called to. Yet there are times when a OF Mass is the only available Mass, so I keep in mind that I’m attending a different form which has its own rubrics and practices and I try to conform my worship to them, just like how I would if I was at an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy. Other than that I ask God for the grace to stay focused and to keep in mind the same realities taking place in the EF are happening in the OF as well. Sometimes I have spiritual dryness during Mass regardless of the form, so.🤷
 
newangela said:
But in all seriousness, when I do need to attend an OF mass, how do I stay focused? Has anyone else experienced this problem?
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I struggle with the same problem on the rare occasion I assist at the OF on Sundays, and so do most Catholics I know who attend both forms.

The best thing I’ve found is to try to turn off the contemplative part of my mind during the Liturgy of the Word and just listen (perhaps read if I have a missalette). Then, I stop actively listening during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and just pray deep, down inside. Also, I avoid looking at the action in the sanctuary except during the consecrations, if what I see there distracts me. I still can’t pray as well in this form, but it helps a lot.
 
YoungTradCath said:
I usually stare at the wall. Seriously, it works, and you don’t notice anything.
Click to expand...
:rotfl:

I laugh, but unfortunately, it’'s true. For those of us who are use to the quiet and contemplation that is so much a part of the EF, the constant “busyness” of the OF is very distracting. So often when the priest starts the Mass, he will start with a weather report, “Isn’t today a wonderful sunny day?” That tends to put off those who go to the EF because we are use to immediately getting on our knees and asking God to cleanse our souls as we come before His Throne. The constant parading of people to and from the sanctuary is very distracting to someone use to the EF, and the hardest of all for us, the priest praying out loud during the consecration. The EF is very much about personal prayer, while the OF is all about communal prayer. They are very different from one another, and it is hard to make the transition, either way. I am not making a judgment, just stating a fact.

Anyway, I have a friend show says she puts herself at the foot of the Cross with Mary and that helps her concentrate and stay focused. I personally try to concentrate on the actual prayers that are said, and I tend to keep my head down a lot.
 
I think the first point we need to acknowledge is that honestly, I doubt that the Mass of Paul VI lends any more opportunity to let your mind wander than the 1962 Missal Does. I grew up attending the latter and now attend the former mostly and I’ll admit that I still have problems paying attention…maybe that comes with be a 20 year old college student 😃

Regardless, I would agree with the people who say that a missal is a great way to follow along and concentrate at Mass. It keeps me focused more than just listening to the prayers can. What could be really neat is reading the missal before Mass. find out what the prayers say and reflect on them while they’re being recited :).

Anyway, I’ll make sure to pray for you that you may focus both at the Mass of Paul VI and that following the 1962 Missal.
 
newangela said:
I recently began attending the EF of the mass, at a little chapel near my home. I’ve only been Catholic for two years, and have been at the OF the entire time…well, today, after having been to Latin mass for two weeks, I had to attend an OF mass. I had quite a difficult time concentrating! There are so many people involved in the mass itself, Eucharistic ministers, readers, some people kneeling, some standing. Probably didn’t help that today was the Diocesan Appeal so we watched a video instead of a sermon. I tried so hard to stay focused on Jesus’ presence, but I left feeling like I hadn’t been at mass at all.
I guess I’ve been a bit spoiled by the EF at this point:) But in all seriousness, when I do need to attend an OF mass, how do I stay focused? Has anyone else experienced this problem? I grew up Protestant, and now that I’ve experienced the Latin mass, I can really see the Protestant influences in the OF.
Anyway, I met my Sunday obligation, but it felt so strange.
Angela
Click to expand...
If you’re being distracted by seeing the actions of other people, I recomend looking down a little. I had a similar problem just this past sunday, I sat in the front pew so after receiving communion I was distracted because of all of the people walking past me as they went to receive. It was a distraction I was not used to. Instead of looking at them look somewhere else or close your eyes. If it is just a visual distraction that seems the best waay to solve it. 🤷
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
What I did was simply read a prayer book I had, esp. during the video presentation. After communion, I kneeled and kept my eyes closed. And I certainly trained my thoughts in love towards my brothers and sisters in Christ whenever I felt judgement or irritation rising.
But I will be grateful to return to the EF mass this week, and I really do feel called there. It just…feels more holy to me. I know the Church’s position, that both mass forms are valid, and I’m grateful to have the choice.
Angela
 
YoungTradCath said:
I usually stare at the wall. Seriously, it works, and you don’t notice anything.
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ImmaculataFides said:
Oh, goodness me. I laughed way too much over this. :rotfl:
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So did I. It helps, but it’s not a cure-all. I tend to have to close my eyes because I have good peripheral vision and I can see that EMHC wearing the ragged jeans and low-cut top even if I’m staring at the wall (unless it’s the back wall). However, I’m never in the pews anymore since I’m in the organ loft. And you know what? Hate to say it, but being paid to be there kind of helps because I have a specific thing I HAVE to focus on (music). I’d be at a TLM if I weren’t hired for the NO, anyway.
 
close your eyes and just listen. That’s what I used to do lol. I am sure some people might think you are sleeping, but they should be paying attention to the mass and not you.
 
The_Curt_Jester said:
So did I. It helps, but it’s not a cure-all. I tend to have to close my eyes because I have good peripheral vision and I can see that EMHC wearing the ragged jeans and low-cut top even if I’m staring at the wall (unless it’s the back wall). However, I’m never in the pews anymore since I’m in the organ loft. And you know what? Hate to say it, but being paid to be there kind of helps because I have a specific thing I HAVE to focus on (music). I’d be at a TLM if I weren’t hired for the NO, anyway.
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Yikes! That would really be an eye-sore… Our EMHCs are usually middle aged men who wear what we consider locally as formal clothes. So no jeans and low cut tops. They look sorta kinda like this…

farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2937753048_f10e9208c3.jpg
 
Hm, although I intend to visit an EF Mass soon, I have only attended OF at this point. I have no problems concentrating. I’ve actually been worried about being able to concentrate in EF because I don’t speak Latin and I will have a harder time following.

However, I do kind of know what you mean. I went to Mass at a another parish on day (for daily Mass) and I had such a hard time concentrating.
 
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