The Gift of Tears

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JCPhoenix:
I, too, sometimes cry at Mass.

Maybe there should be a “Crier’s Section” in every church! 😃
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Me too! What a relief to know that others have experienced this wonderful (but sometimes embarrassing) gift. It has happened to me so many times. I don’t remember when it started, but I don’t remember having this gift until I was an adult.

The first time I ever heard the term “gift of tears” was from a priest who was preaching a parish mission. As part of his talk, he wanted to read us a very touching letter from a man whose daughter had recently died. Before he started reading, he announced, “I may not get through this without choking up, because I have been blessed with the gift of tears.” Sure enough, he did not finish the letter without crying. It was such a relief to me after all these years to know about the gift of tears, and that others have it too. I thought I was just a hormonal female!
 
I think I have this gift too. Tears start coming out when the bread and wine turn to the body and blood of Christ. I feel wonderful even though I’m crying. It was weird to me at first, but I see that it isn’t weird after all.:crying: 🙂
 
I, too, am a person with “leaky eyes.” One day I asked the Lord,
“Why tears?” Here is what he revealed to my heart:

The water in our tears remind us that water is needed for new life, whether that new life is animal, vegetable, human, or even the smallest cell of one of those categories. Think about it. It is pretty much impossible to have any kind of new life unless water is present. That is one of the reasons that water is used during Baptism, when we start our new life with Christ. We cry at weddings, funerals, graduations, births, participating in sacraments, etc because each situation marks the beginning of a “new life.”

The salt of my tears remind me that I am never alone in any situation; Jesus is always there with me.

Is it any wonder then that we cannot prevent the tears that occur during Mass?

Whenever you are overcome with your gift of tears, ask the Lord to take the waters you have made present and use that water to bring new life into a situation or to somebody. When we are given a gift from God, He wants us to use it to help others. Your tears are a physical prayer that can help someone in great need.

I used to be embarassed by my tears; now I understand how I can use them to help the Lord. As a result of offering up my tears to the Lord, he then blesses me with the gift of peace, and often times the tears will stop as suddenly as they began.

But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands
Psalm 31: 15-16a
 
Wow, I find myself in tears quite a bit during the Eucharist, thanks for this post!! I usually feel embarrassed, I do this all the time lately and find I have to try hard to hide the tears. I know why I do it, I am moved by the incredible gift of the Eucharist, that Christ was willing to suffer and die on the cross, the list goes on. I have never thought of it as a gift. Thank you for this discussion:)
 
the gift of tears is sometimes granted to one who weeps for the sins of the whole world, or for their own sins. it may also be granted to one who is grieving a loss and has never been able to weep before, when it becomes part of healing and completing the grief process. Tears can also be a gift to one who has difficulty expressing emotions in any way (usually men). Spiritual writers and saints speak often of the gift of tears in several contexts. Tears also can be a gift of recognition and acceptance of the Divine Mercy.
 
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legeorge:
Does anyone find it odd that many with this experience are converts or “reverts” (like me) ? Another coincidence (or is it?) Is the proximity to the celebration of the Eucharist. I think this may have a special meaning. God trying to tell us something? :rolleyes:
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Hmm… I would consider myself a cradle Catholic who has had an adult conversion, interesting point.
 
I am a convert and have this gift. Although I have to admit, I never thought of it as a gift until this thread. The first time it happened was Easter Vigil. I was not able to join the Church when the rest of the RCIA class was, because I was waiting for my annullment to be approved, (which came a couple of months later!) While these people who I have come to know over the last several months, were being baptized, the tears started to flow. It was silent, and when it happened at first I was surprised, because I felt no sadness, only joy. The second time it happened was a week later, and then it twice. This was Divine Mercy Sunday. I had already asked St Faustina to be my patron saint. I asked during Mass, then when it was time for the Eucharist, the tears started. After Eucharist, they stopped. After Mass, the RCIA was meeting and the Bishop was there. As I was introduced to him, he looked at me as said, “I would like to give you a special blessing for your journey”. Well, the tears started again.
Now just about every Mass, the tears start during Eucharist. I have stopped pretending it is something else, like allergies or dry eyes.

Faustina
 
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Faustina:
I am a convert and have this gift. Although I have to admit, I never thought of it as a gift until this thread. The first time it happened was Easter Vigil. I was not able to join the Church when the rest of the RCIA class was, because I was waiting for my annullment to be approved, (which came a couple of months later!) While these people who I have come to know over the last several months, were being baptized, the tears started to flow. It was silent, and when it happened at first I was surprised, because I felt no sadness, only joy. The second time it happened was a week later, and then it twice. This was Divine Mercy Sunday. I had already asked St Faustina to be my patron saint. I asked during Mass, then when it was time for the Eucharist, the tears started. After Eucharist, they stopped. After Mass, the RCIA was meeting and the Bishop was there. As I was introduced to him, he looked at me as said, “I would like to give you a special blessing for your journey”. Well, the tears started again.
Now just about every Mass, the tears start during Eucharist. I have stopped pretending it is something else, like allergies or dry eyes.

Faustina
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Faustina,
My experience, which I wrote above, happen few and far between and I am sure our Lord has a reason for this in my life.
Yes, the two times that the ‘gift’ happened to me wes times of oncomng stress, but peaceful tears.
The account after I moved and started my first day living alone, my father was dying in a Catholic Hospice (Sept 2002). After this gift, I was able to cry for my father, not for my sorrow to miss him…er kinda, BUT more for the fact that He became Catholic a week after the Easter Vigil 2001 ( he was in the hospital at that time).

I do not pray for the tears, they just come when Our Lord wants me to have them.

go with God!
Edwin
 
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to get me to cry, though I do try to control it where it happens. I tend to cry more because I’m moved than because I’m sad. Not to get cliched here, but during and after 9/11, I was often moved to tears, not so much by the tragedy as I was by the nobility and heroism that were displayed by thousands in such abundance.

Despite that tragedy, those few days actually gave me some hope for my fellow man, which quickly dissipated as soon as American businesses started making phony appeals to patriotism to sell their products. (“Bubba’s Chevrolet in Bug Tussle is helping America stay strong, and Ford-tough, with these new deals.”)

But one thing that makes me wonder if I do indeed have the gift of tears is that I’ll cry easily in the movies too. Show me some scene where a lost dog is reunited with the boy who loves him, and have them running at each other in slow motion, and I lose it. I cried throughout the last 2/3 of “Seabiscuit” and “The Return of the King.” (In the latter case I sat with my body twisted to one side so the woman seated to my left (whom I didn’t know) wouldn’t see me cry. But eventually I heard sniffles coming from my left, right, and front and back.)

Of course, I was bawling throughout “The Passion of the Christ.” The strange thing is that for me, the actual Crucifixion was almost anti-climactic because the emotional peak came to me during the scourging scene. There’s a point where the guards roll Christ over onto His back on the pavement and He looks over at Mary.

Now know he was supposed to be looking at Mary, but He seemed to actually looking right at me and through me, with a look that said, “Why are you doing this to me? Why do you KEEP doing this to me?” I wasn’t expecting to be put on the spot like that, and I lost it.

But about the only time I’ve openly cried in public was a few years ago. A surprise birthday party was held for a friend of mine at a restaurant. He had told me in confidence that he was going to propose to his girlfriend on a specific date a few weeks away, so we were all broadsided when he got up during dinner to make a speech thanking everybody, before sinking down on one knee and proposing right there. I realize that might not sound like much, but you’d have had to been there and known the people.

Anyway, I tried as hard as I could to control myself, but then I just let go. I began to laugh a bit because I felt a bit silly, and I turned to look over at the person to my left, only to see that everybody else at the table was crying too.

I guess the hang-up is that American men are conditioned not to cry, especially in public. I’ve never cried during a funeral, for instance, because I always thought men were supposed to be “strong, for the womenfolk.”
 
I too have the “gift of tears”…although I didn’t know what it was at the time…I posted a question on this Forum about this a few months back called “Embarrassing Question”.
I was relieved to know that it was a good thing.
Every time the Agnus Dei is sung…the tears come on just as tho someone turned on a facet, if I don’t have a klenex I’m in touble:o , I’m not a convert…I’m a cradle catholic that returned to the chruch after 20 some years…now I’m so happy I did:yup: :yup:
 
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seeker63:
snip

(“Bubba’s Chevrolet in Bug Tussle is helping America stay strong, and Ford-tough, with these new deals.”)
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That’s funny. I live about 15 miles from Bugtussle. 😛

DaveBj
 
Thank you so much for your posts, all of you. I have had this “gift” for about three years or so. I was becoming so embarrassed by that I finally talked it over with my priest in the confessional. He then told me it was a gift and to try an go with it, and not be afraid. He said I could go to the chapel if I was more comfortable with privacy. I started to be overwhelmed at the Eucharist. After receiving our Lord it would wash over me so strongly sometimes. I was trying to shut it down out of embarrassment. I have wanted to go to Eucharistic Adoration more often, the last time I went I pretty near fell apart, my chest got so tight and it was almost coming out as deep sobs. My husband use to be so worried about me…now he is use to it, and will just supply the hankies!! Your stories encourage me to release this and trust the Holy Spirit to direct it. Thanks for your openess and sharing.:blessyou:
 
I have the tears often during the mass, and most often when I listen to church music. I never thought of it as a gift, but now I will.
 
Tonight I went to a healing mass. After the mass the priest carried the monstrance with Our Lord around the church and held it in front of parishioners. When he brought it to us, I broke down. I cried and cried and my children got concerned. My 9 year old son kept asking me why I was crying. It happened again a little later but I held back a little for the sake of my kids. They are too young to understand. It just struck me when the priest was presenting Our Lord to us. How beautiful he is. How he carries our load for us. How he was really there.
 
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matthew1624:
I cannot count how many times that its happened to me. It’s overwhelming. The prayer of St. Francis says it all…

Let the whole of mankind tremble,
the whole world shake and the heavens
exult, when Christ, the Son of the
living God, is present on the altar
in the hands of a priest.

O admirable heights and sublime
lowliness! O sublime humility! O
humble sublimity!

That the Lord of the universe, God
and the Son of God, so humbles Himself
that for our salvation He hides
Himself under the little form of bread!

Look, brothers, at the humility of God
and pour out your hearts before Him!
Humble yourselves, as well, that you
may be exalted by Him.

Therefore, hold back nothing of
yourselves for yourselves so that He Who
gives Himself totally to you may receive
you totally.

God Bless…
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I carry my laminated copy of this prayer so I can zip it out during mass.

My tears flow and flow during mass. Thank God it’s gentle weeping. I also carry tissues; lots of tissues!
 
Thanks to so many for sharing their experience with this. I thought I was just wierd that since my “re-version” as one post described this (cradle Catholic who has experienced a recent strengthening of the faith).

I never sobbed before. Now I cannot seem to get through mass. The songs set me off, the readings, and ESPECIALLY Eucharistic Adoration.

I NEVER thought of it as a gift - but an embarrassment.
Thank you for this post.
 
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legeorge:
Does anyone find it odd that many with this experience are converts or “reverts” (like me) ? Another coincidence (or is it?)…
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I am one of the unfortunate souls that does not have the “gift of tears”. I am not a revert nor a convert (cradle Catholic). I’m not sure of the reason: perhaps you all appreciate the Eucharist moreso than I or regret not having appreciated it sooner.

God Bless You All! 🙂
 
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legeorge:
Does anyone find it odd that many with this experience are converts or “reverts” (like me) ? Another coincidence (or is it?)…
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I am a cradle Catholic that does not experience the “gift of tears”. Bless you all!
 
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Stylteralmaldo:
I am one of the unfortunate souls that does not have the “gift of tears”. I am not a revert nor a convert (cradle Catholic). I’m not sure of the reason: perhaps you all appreciate the Eucharist moreso than I or regret not having appreciated it sooner.

God Bless You All! 🙂
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I don’t think it’s a matter of meriting “the gift of tears” by appreciating the Eucharist more or anything else. “Gift” says it all. God has He own reasons and blesses everyone of us is some gracious way.
 
I recently went to a youth retreat and on one night of the retreat they had an adoration where I was lucky enough to receive the gift of tears, laughter, and eventually go into a state of dormiton. The gift of tears is very hard to describe, I felt as though I had no control over my emotions but it was the best feeling I have ever experienced. I don’t remember having the gift of laughter, and in dormiton I was aware of what was going on around me but I couldnt/didnt want to leave the state. There where also priests talking in tongues around me, but it made sense at the time…Crazy Stuff, Wonderful Wonderful experience
 
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