Venerating Statues in the Middle of Mass

[goforgoal]

She’s disruptive only in the sense that she walks up to the front and her shoes make noise. Unfortunately her phone went off twice yesterday, but that was an exception. And occasionally, she will wear a short skirt.

The priests all see her so there is no need for me to bring it up.

Also, although I find it strange, I don’t know anything about her life and what she is going through. Maybe she is hanging on by a thread.

Thank you for the explanation.

I know someone suggested Praying for this woman which is a remarkable thing to do for someone.

May I suggest (and of course you don’t have to do this) the next time she comes to Mass ask her kindly if she needs help.

You could also bring your concerns to your parish Priest(s) as well – maybe they don’t really notice her as they are focused on the real prescense of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

God bless,
goforgoal

 

[TrueLight]

Thank you for the explanation.

I know someone suggested Praying for this woman which is a remarkable thing to do for someone.

May I suggest (and of course you don’t have to do this) the next time she comes to Mass ask her kindly if she needs help.

You could also bring your concerns to your parish Priest(s) as well – maybe they don’t really notice her as they are focused on the real prescense of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

God bless,
goforgoal

There is no way for me to stop her as she walks up to the front of the Church. She doesn’t participate in mass, so it’s not like I can talk to her after mass. And frankly, listening to some of the responses/explanations, I am not sure it would be appropriate, even if I could.

I’m not really concerned. I just find the behavior strange. But as some people say, it may be a cultural thing and I can accept that just fine.

 

[odile53]

As far as the intoxicated person coming in and shouting, “I love you, man,” at the image of Christ crucified, I’ve seen that happen a few times during a weekday Mass I attend downtown. It is located near the homeless shelter, and we frequently get these poor souls at church. Sometimes they sleep in the confessionals, and Father checks confessionals for their presence before “setting up shop.” If he finds one, Father just lets him sleep in there and goes to another one (there are six sets of traditional confessionals.) They are usually quiet and respectful, though, and present no problem for more conventional worshipers. They don’t even panhandle.

Personally, I’m edified by it when someone comes in who is exhibiting behavior that we would charitably consider “unusual,” whether it is cultural or even a result of illness. It demonstrates to me that regardless of our liturgies and rituals, Jesus welcomes all to His presence, just as certainly as He did when He walked this earth in the flesh. And yes, I do pray for their well-being.

 

[sojo]

Very common in churches in Mexico. We attended one Mass in an enormous old Church with many statues and shrines. While one priest celebrated Mass for maybe 60 people at night, another priest was leading about 25 people in some sort of procession in the back of the church, maybe a novena that involved visiting statues, and another sort of religious group was processing around the sides of the church doing stations of the cross. Meanwhile folks came and went to pray at various side altars and statues, looks like folks getting off work. The little ones ran up and down the aisles and there were people barbecuing on the front steps for hungry folks to grab a bite before heading home. Despite the business of it all, everyone seemed very devout and focused on their particular reason for being in the church that evening. And nobody seemed distracted - they are used to it, I guess.

We visited so many churches throughout Mexico, and we were struck by how devout the people were and how hospitable. One time in Valladolid, a woman sent her two little children to drag us up on the altar while Mass was going on. We were mortified, but the little ones, especially a little disabled boy were insistent and the priest didn’t seem phased… they guided us around the edge of the altar but still on the altar. They turned a switch on the wall and whispered to us to poke our heads into a large hole in the wall. Turns out the wall of the altar was fake and the original, very, very old stone wall was behind it and had a beautiful, primitive fresco. The switch turned a light on so we could see it. It was a treasure of the church. So there we were with our bottoms sticking out to the congregation in the middle of the homily. Then the little group of us - my husband, me and the little children all did the sign of the cross, genuflected to the tabernacle and climbed down. The priest gave us a friendly smile and wave as we proceed back to our pew, as did many in the pews around us. Seems they are all incredibly proud of this religious treasure and don’t want any tourist/pilgrim to miss it. No doubt some here would have been mortified but we were very touched.

 

[Ellyakamommy]

At our parish church, many mass-goers venerate a statue near the rear of the church. The position of the statue and people praying before it clog the main aisle-way and it’s especially crowded as we go through the lines to receive the Eucharist. While I don’t mind the veneration itself, the human traffic jam and safety hazard for everyone near the back who has just received the eucharist does bother me. If they waited five more minutes until the final blessing, it wouldn’t be so disruptive. But that’s more a timing issue than a venearation issue.

 

[vsedriver]

Why does it sound like she has mental problems?

because walking up to the altar during Mass in an American Catholic church is not normal behavior and abnormal behavior can indicate mental problems. As I said, it could be that or could be a cultural thing.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Very common in churches in Mexico. We attended one Mass in an enormous old Church with many statues and shrines. While one priest celebrated Mass for maybe 60 people at night, another priest was leading about 25 people in some sort of procession in the back of the church, maybe a novena that involved visiting statues, and another sort of religious group was processing around the sides of the church doing stations of the cross. Meanwhile folks came and went to pray at various side altars and statues, looks like folks getting off work. The little ones ran up and down the aisles and there were people barbecuing on the front steps for hungry folks to grab a bite before heading home. Despite the business of it all, everyone seemed very devout and focused on their particular reason for being in the church that evening. And nobody seemed distracted - they are used to it, I guess.

We visited so many churches throughout Mexico, and we were struck by how devout the people were and how hospitable. One time in Valladolid, a woman sent her two little children to drag us up on the altar while Mass was going on. We were mortified, but the little ones, especially a little disabled boy were insistent and the priest didn’t seem phased… they guided us around the edge of the altar but still on the altar. They turned a switch on the wall and whispered to us to poke our heads into a large hole in the wall. Turns out the wall of the altar was fake and the original, very, very old stone wall was behind it and had a beautiful, primitive fresco. The switch turned a light on so we could see it. It was a treasure of the church. So there we were with our bottoms sticking out to the congregation in the middle of the homily. Then the little group of us - my husband, me and the little children all did the sign of the cross, genuflected to the tabernacle and climbed down. The priest gave us a friendly smile and wave as we proceed back to our pew, as did many in the pews around us. Seems they are all incredibly proud of this religious treasure and don’t want any tourist/pilgrim to miss it. No doubt some here would have been mortified but we were very touched.

Beautiful! I hope people can get over the mentality that the Mass and the church is there for them alone. I have this same experience in the Philippines given we have a similar cultural heritage with the Mexicans from Spain, especially when it comes to Catholicism. I’ve even been to one mass baptism (by mass I mean many baptisms at the same time, like at least a dozen children) and a deranged man came in and started yelling. The priest was unfazed and just continued on with what he was doing. It would have been more disruptive to confront the man and probably a fight might break out inside the church. I just silently prayed for the man back then.

 

[goforgoal]

There is no way for me to stop her as she walks up to the front of the Church. She doesn’t participate in mass, so it’s not like I can talk to her after mass. And frankly, listening to some of the responses/explanations, I am not sure it would be appropriate, even if I could.

I’m not really concerned. I just find the behavior strange. But as some people say, it may be a cultural thing and I can accept that just fine.

Well, I have to admit I didn’t really read your title or your post for that matter so I do sincerely apologize for that.

I didn’t realize she was doing this while Mass is going on and the only reason I suggested bringing this to the attention of the Priest(s) (before Mass or after Mass) or asking if she needs help is because sometimes we run into people who need our guidance sometimes they are too shy or even too proud to ask for help…In the meantime, keep on Praying for her.

Yes, **True Light ** some people at Mass may do things that seem strange or a bit off to us. While visiting the Discalced Carmelite Nuns some of their behaviors were a bit strange to me because I wasn’t familar with it so I had to watch what they did before I did anything-- ie/ no shaking of hands “Peace be with you” and leaving together in a group of 2.

Last year, our parish Priest’s parents came for a visit before Mass started his mother would stand and Pray in front of a statue of a "Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette. Votive candles are placed beside the “Grotto” which people usually light and they Pray in front of the “Grotto”

ConstantineTG I agree with you the Catholic Church is for everyone. I remember our parish Priest who is from The Philippines reminded us of that…He said, “This is not my Church or your Church alone it is Our Church.” However, we have to respect what our Pope, Bishop, and Priests say, right? ← I’m sorry I’m not trying to be argue or be sarcastic just asking that’s all.

People have different customs or cultures of doing things-- behaviour and even the way they dress can seem strange to us and sometimes we can often get offended if we don’t really understand.

There is a man and his girlfriend/wife who will stand or kneel in the lobby area of our Church but they rarely actually come in to sit down in Church. However, he has helped with the collections and has donated a fair amount to our Church.

A young boy (about 6-8 years old) who will talk loudly during Mass and our Priest seems unfazed by him too.

The only time I ever encountered strange behavior and I actually didn’t mean too as I like to keep my focus on Him alone but when a young girl sat there plucking her eyebrows.

Who knows I probably do things that are bizarre while at Mass too.

God bless,

goforgoal

 

[Celticnovice]

Very common in churches in Mexico. We attended one Mass in an enormous old Church with many statues and shrines. While one priest celebrated Mass for maybe 60 people at night, another priest was leading about 25 people in some sort of procession in the back of the church, maybe a novena that involved visiting statues, and another sort of religious group was processing around the sides of the church doing stations of the cross. Meanwhile folks came and went to pray at various side altars and statues, looks like folks getting off work. The little ones ran up and down the aisles and there were people barbecuing on the front steps for hungry folks to grab a bite before heading home. Despite the business of it all, everyone seemed very devout and focused on their particular reason for being in the church that evening. And nobody seemed distracted - they are used to it, I guess.

We visited so many churches throughout Mexico, and we were struck by how devout the people were and how hospitable. One time in Valladolid, a woman sent her two little children to drag us up on the altar while Mass was going on. We were mortified, but the little ones, especially a little disabled boy were insistent and the priest didn’t seem phased… they guided us around the edge of the altar but still on the altar. They turned a switch on the wall and whispered to us to poke our heads into a large hole in the wall. Turns out the wall of the altar was fake and the original, very, very old stone wall was behind it and had a beautiful, primitive fresco. The switch turned a light on so we could see it. It was a treasure of the church. So there we were with our bottoms sticking out to the congregation in the middle of the homily. Then the little group of us - my husband, me and the little children all did the sign of the cross, genuflected to the tabernacle and climbed down. The priest gave us a friendly smile and wave as we proceed back to our pew, as did many in the pews around us. Seems they are all incredibly proud of this religious treasure and don’t want any tourist/pilgrim to miss it. No doubt some here would have been mortified but we were very touched.

I have seen this practice in America, and its a pretty regular occurance in one particular parrish I attended during college. HOWEVER, people would only venerate the statues after communion.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Maybe she’s not Latin? It does seem “Byzantine-ish” behavior.

I’m puzzled by this comment (and similar ones that followed). First of all, Byzantines do not have statues in their churches. Plenty of icons, yes - and one would typically venerate the icon on the tetrapod near the ambon upon entering the church. But if anyone other than a male in vestments (priest, deacon, reader or acolyte) walked up to or beyond the icon screen (which would put them in the sanctuary) during a live Divine Liturgy or other service, it’s reasonably certain they would be invited to retire to a pew …

 

[ConstantineTG]

I’m puzzled by this comment (and similar ones that followed). First of all, Byzantines do not have statues in their churches. Plenty of icons, yes - and one would typically venerate the icon on the tetrapod near the ambon upon entering the church. But if anyone other than a male in vestments (priest, deacon, reader or acolyte) walked up to or beyond the icon screen (which would put them in the sanctuary) during a live Divine Liturgy or other service, it’s reasonably certain they would be invited to retire to a pew …

That is what I meant, not specifically the statues but people move around during Liturgy venerating, lighting candles, etc. Actually growing up a Roman Catholic in the Philippines, we pretty much do the same thing. I am actually quite surprised how people here project that being Latin Rite means you get in your pew and you stay there until Communion.

 

[TrueLight]

That is what I meant, not specifically the statues but people move around during Liturgy venerating, lighting candles, etc. Actually growing up a Roman Catholic in the Philippines, we pretty much do the same thing. I am actually quite surprised how people here project that being Latin Rite means you get in your pew and you stay there until Communion.

I just noticed I wasn’t clear in my first post.

The woman normally walks into mass from the back and goes straight to the front, near the altar rails and venerates the statues, then walks right back out. She doesn’t attend the mass.

Sure, I’ve seen some non-standard things done by some homeless, but she is most definitely not that!

Either way, it doesn’t bother me, because she is venerating. She’s not dancing in the middle of the aisles.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

That is what I meant, not specifically the statues but people move around during Liturgy venerating, lighting candles, etc. Actually growing up a Roman Catholic in the Philippines, we pretty much do the same thing. I am actually quite surprised how people here project that being Latin Rite means you get in your pew and you stay there until Communion.

Well, that’s normal “buzz” (unfortunately), but that wouldn’t be expected in the vicinity of the iconostasis in a Byzantine setting.

I took note only because the behavior noted in the OP seemed to indicate something a bit more noteworthy, traversing the communion rail / in the Apse …

That said, I too have also travelled extensively to Mexico and other Latin countries, where the type of “extracurricular activity” in and around the church as noted above is common. The reverence that comes with it, though, is typically profound!

All that said, we have a very “active” young toddler in our church (age 3), who loves our priest and would follow him throughout the Liturgy if permitted to roam freely. He once clung to Father’s leg during an entire homily. It just so happened this was the Sunday after the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. Father reminded us all that Mary, age 3, began to dance when first presented in the Temple, much to the embarassment of Joachim and Anna. A little perspective, as relates to tolerating our young during Mass / Divine Liturgy …

 

[ConstantineTG]

I just noticed I wasn’t clear in my first post.

The woman normally walks into mass from the back and goes straight to the front, near the altar rails and venerates the statues, then walks right back out. She doesn’t attend the mass.

Sure, I’ve seen some non-standard things done by some homeless, but she is most definitely not that!

Either way, it doesn’t bother me, because she is venerating. She’s not dancing in the middle of the aisles.

Yup, thats how it is in the Philippines. In fact, they even had to literally put a block on the center aisle in one of the major basilicas in the country because people would walk on their knees from the back to the front and say the rosary even in the middle of the Mass. It was going on for ages (my mom does it a lot back in the day) until one of the priests decided to put a stop to it during Mass. People go there, arrive at whatever time and if there is a Mass they continue with their devotion and then leave after they are done.

Some people just want to follow a devotion and may not have time for Mass. Perhaps this person you speak of has only that 5-10 minutes to spare and yet they make the effort to stop by and pray. Its pretty normal in the Philippines for people to stop by for 5-10 minutes on their way to work, school or for an appointment, pray, and then go. Even if there is a Mass. If thats the time they have to spare, then thats the time they give to the Lord.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Well, that’s normal “buzz” (unfortunately), but that wouldn’t be expected in the vicinity of the iconostasis in a Byzantine setting.

Depends how big your parishes is. Some parishes, everything is in the vicinity of the iconostasis.

I remember my son seems to take cue from the Cherubic Hymn to want to go to the Tetrapod and kiss the icons. Of course I tell my wife not to let him because the Great Entrance is about to commence, not a good time to be up there. But its normal for people to come up and venerate the icons whenever. Some other people go up and light candles before the Cherubic Hymn.