Using churches for sleeping?

  • Thread starter Thread starter angell1
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

angell1

Guest
is it a profane use to do so? I know sacred spaces aren’t supposed to used for common activities

I went on a trip with some other catholic young adults last year and there just simply wasn’t enough space in the rectory for everyone

the church doesn’t have much space either so we either set up air mattresses or pushed the chairs used for pews together to sleep on.

obviously the tabernacle had been removed

just wondering
 
angell1 said:
is it a profane use to do so? I know sacred spaces aren’t supposed to used for common activities

I went on a trip with some other catholic young adults last year and there just simply wasn’t enough space in the rectory for everyone

the church doesn’t have much space either so we either set up air mattresses or pushed the chairs used for pews together to sleep on.

obviously the tabernacle had been removed

just wondering
Click to expand...
No it’s not profane. Churches have served as refuges for people for centuries.
 
I remember during 9/11 that one of the churches near ground zero was used as a refuge for the first responders to rest, sleep and get spiritual guidance/help.

I know of a local church lets in homeless people on the very cold nights in the winter.
 
It is our Father’s house. He’s okay with us sleeping over, if we need it. 🙂
 
We went to a different parish yesterday because we missed our morning Mass at our regular parish. Sometimes we go to a neighboring parish if that happens or in the summer because it has AC.

My 4 year old says, "daddy do you know why the pews at “Church Name” have cushions on them?
I said so that people’s behinds will be comfortable.

She giggled and said “no, because it is perfect to fall asleep on” And in about 2 more minutes of homily, she was snoring…
 
what do people mean then when they speak of profane use?

I thought that meantusing the space for things which are not spiritual
 
As long as you aren’t sleeping during mass or any other prayer time, technically speaking it is alright. I once took a catnap in a pew while I was waiting to take someone on a pilgrimage because they had a practice in the church and they couldn’t leave until it was over.

As long as the sanctuary is treated with respect, then I wouldn’t worry about it.
 
angell1 said:
is it a profane use to do so? I know sacred spaces aren’t supposed to used for common activities

I went on a trip with some other catholic young adults last year and there just simply wasn’t enough space in the rectory for everyone

the church doesn’t have much space either so we either set up air mattresses or pushed the chairs used for pews together to sleep on.

obviously the tabernacle had been removed

just wondering
Click to expand...
I attend daily Mass in a chapel beside our Cathedral. (I am living in a different city now - no longer in Cleveland.) Several homeless enter the Cathedral when it opens and stay there a good part of the day. Many sleep on the chairs.

In the chapel I noticed a couple homeless men during Mass. Neither of them was disruptive. One was participating; the other removed his shoes and fell asleep in the pew during the readings. He remained slumped over and asleep throughout the Mass. In the concluding rite rite after Communion, the priest silently and subtly made the sign of the cross blessing toward the sleeping man then began the Oremus. I was happy to see the homeless man sleeping there. Our Lord comforts the afflicted. He’d had a cold rough night and was finally able to sleep in a safe and warm place close to God. He smelled. But I was happy to see him resting in God’s house, in God’s arms.

The homeless sleeping in the Chapel with a tabernacle was much less of a profanation than the loud glad-handing and socializing that occurs after Mass in the very presence of the tabernacle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top