Tearing up during mass

[Wildgraywolf]

In the late '80s I recall one of our lectors started a reading, got the first sentence out, then broke down in tears. I don’t remember the exact start of the scripture reading, something like “For God [or the Lord] has been good to me…”, at which point he lost it.

We all waited, some in tears with him. They were, it turns out, tears of joy and thanksgiving. For God had been so very good to him.

That lector, who saw my father through his onset and eventual death due to Alzheimer’s disease in 2002 - is now himself dying of the same horrible disease in a nursing home in Texas. Please pray that God continues to show him mercy - his name is Sid, and I will always remember him with thanks for his friendship with my father, and as a very gentle and beautiful man.

I will remember him in my prayers.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

**The problem with this, is that even whores can do it: so it’s no sure sign of devotion. **​

**That by the way is not my opinion - it’s what St. Philip Neri said. He was well qualified to speak; not least because he is one of the few Saints to have received the gift of reading consciences. He was not easily impressed by reports of remarkable favours - far from it. And he tried very hard to avoid any notice being taken of the very great graces he received If we talk much about graces we believe we may have received, that’s a bad sign. (That’s my paraphrase of something said by Father F.W. Faber ) **

**Two rough tests: **

• does anything else cause the same reaction ? Some people are moved by music, & “tear up” at that
• what is the life & character of the person affected ?
  **So “tearing up” may brought on by devotion - or it may not; we should not suppose too readily that it is, for it may simply be temperament or a hundred other “non-religious” causes that are at work. If one “tears up” but is full of many vices, it’s safe to assume that nature is at work & not grace: St. Philip, himself so radiantly holy & “burning with love for men”, was the one man in Rome who thought himself a great sinner. **

Just rambling

I’m glad to hear that so many other people experience this too! Now I won’t be so embarassed if it happens again. Thanks for all the answers!

Gottle of Geer, I’ve also teared up at other inspiring occasions like hearing the national anthem, hearing stories of inspiring bravery and justice, or even reading really imspiring news, like when the former leader of yugoslavia was brought before the international court. So I’m not planning to apply for sainthood on the basis of tearing up during mass, don’t worry

 

[That_one_guy]

**The problem with this, is that even whores can do it: so it’s no sure sign of devotion. **​

**That by the way is not my opinion - it’s what St. Philip Neri said. He was well qualified to speak; not least because he is one of the few Saints to have received the gift of reading consciences. He was not easily impressed by reports of remarkable favours - far from it. And he tried very hard to avoid any notice being taken of the very great graces he received If we talk much about graces we believe we may have received, that’s a bad sign. (That’s my paraphrase of something said by Father F.W. Faber ) **

**Two rough tests: **

• does anything else cause the same reaction ? Some people are moved by music, & “tear up” at that
• what is the life & character of the person affected ?
  **So “tearing up” may brought on by devotion - or it may not; we should not suppose too readily that it is, for it may simply be temperament or a hundred other “non-religious” causes that are at work. If one “tears up” but is full of many vices, it’s safe to assume that nature is at work & not grace: St. Philip, himself so radiantly holy & “burning with love for men”, was the one man in Rome who thought himself a great sinner. **

Just rambling

You forgot about cutting onions…

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

You forgot about cutting onions…

That comes of not being a house-wife… ​