Walking into church vestibule during consecration?

[PRmerger]

So here’s the situation:

I walked into our church’s vestibule at 10am on a weekday in order to retrieve something. There happened to be a funeral mass, and when I walked into the vestbule it was during the consecration.

What is the proper thing to do if this happens? Do I kneel in the vestibule? Do I pause reverently and then continue on my errand? Do I do nothing since I’m not there for the mass?

Also, on several occasions during Sunday masses I have been in the vestibule manning a table so that after mass we can get signatures or whatever. If I’ve already attended mass that morning I will simply stay in the vestibule during the other masses. What is the proper thing to do when the consecration is occurring in this situation?

 

[FrDavid96]

So here’s the situation:

I walked into our church’s vestibule at 10am on a weekday in order to retrieve something. There happened to be a funeral mass, and when I walked into the vestbule it was during the consecration.

What is the proper thing to do if this happens? Do I kneel in the vestibule? Do I pause reverently and then continue on my errand? Do I do nothing since I’m not there for the mass?

Also, on several occasions during Sunday masses I have been in the vestibule manning a table so that after mass we can get signatures or whatever. If I’ve already attended mass that morning I will simply stay in the vestibule during the other masses. What is the proper thing to do when the consecration is occurring in this situation?

PRMerger,
During the actual Consecration, the proper thing to do is kneel towards the altar until the Consecration is over (after the elevation of the chalice). Outside of the Consecration, if you are not actually attending Mass, there’s nothing wrong with going in-and-out of the vestibule (provided of course that one is not doing anything or making any loud noises which might disturb the congregation). If kneeling isn’t possible for some reason, then remain standing reverently.

 

[PRmerger]

PRMerger,
During the actual Consecration, the proper thing to do is kneel towards the altar until the Consecration is over (after the elevation of the chalice). Outside of the Consecration, if you are not actually attending Mass, there’s nothing wrong with going in-and-out of the vestibule (provided of course that one is not doing anything or making any loud noises which might disturb the congregation). If kneeling isn’t possible for some reason, then remain standing reverently.

Thanks!

Can I assume from your username that you are a Catholic priest?

 

[puzzleannie]

So here’s the situation:

I walked into our church’s vestibule at 10am on a weekday in order to retrieve something. There happened to be a funeral mass, and when I walked into the vestbule it was during the consecration.

What is the proper thing to do if this happens? Do I kneel in the vestibule? Do I pause reverently and then continue on my errand? Do I do nothing since I’m not there for the mass?

?

same in both cases, kneel if it is physically possible, otherwise stand reverently with your attention focused on the altar. Why are these sign-ups and ticket sales going on during Mass? the materials should be put away when Mass begins, and brought out again after communion. Don’t forget our reverence extends to the whole Mass, including and especially the readings, although we are required to kneel only during the Eucharistic prayer (if possible).

 

[FrDavid96]

Thanks!

Can I assume from your username that you are a Catholic priest?

Sure. And yes, I’m a Catholic priest.

As a follow up to the last, my comments were of course meant within the context of saying that sales or signups are not actually happening during Mass, but you’re simply “on standby” waiting for Mass to be over–I assumed as much by the nature of your post, but the point is well made for other readers here (so thanks to puzzleannie for reminding us).

 

[puzzleannie]

Sure. And yes, I’m a Catholic priest.

As a follow up to the last, my comments were of course meant within the context of saying that sales or signups are not actually happening during Mass, but you’re simply “on standby” waiting for Mass to be over–I assumed as much by the nature of your post, but the point is well made for other readers here (so thanks to puzzleannie for reminding us).

I think even more so, if it is possible since you are more “in the public eye” to make the gestures of reverence is even more important. For instance I always feel I am catechizing, especially for first communion, so am conscience of how I receive, demeanor after communion etc. because some little one may copy me. I even genuflect when I can (which is not that often any more–equipment does not work and I don’t have spare parts).

Get your stewardship committee to recruit lay volunteers for these “sign-up and selling” duties. I hope you are distributing communion at the proper time if you are free, rather than a lay minister. don’t mind me, I am the resident grannie

 

[buffalo]

I was taught that you drop to your knees pronto, whatever you are doing.

 

[PRmerger]

Why are these sign-ups and ticket sales going on during Mass? the materials should be put away when Mass begins, and brought out again after communion.

In the first scenario, it was 10am on a weekday that I was entering the vestibule, and there just happened to be a funeral mass.

And, indeed, the signups and tickets sales materials are put away when mass begins. I simply wait in the vestibule for the masses to be over, if I’ve already attended an earlier mass.

 

[puzzleannie]

In the first scenario, it was 10am on a weekday that I was entering the vestibule, and there just happened to be a funeral mass.
.

yes of course you would kneel if you can until at least the consecration is over, then you could take what you came for and leave quietly after the acclamation. we would want to be doubly careful, I think, for the same reason, that non-Catholics may be present and watching what we do, and could benefit by our show of reverence.

 

[Tsion]

JMJ

I think it would be an awesome witness to knee where ever you are. The GOD of gods is here, how would we act if the bishop or pope or CEO of our company or a king were present? The KING is present and we need to show that. Even when receiving Him into our bodies in such an intimate way as the Eucharist. I will not speak for everyone, but I start to shake and start to get dizzy as I approach Him. It’s so cool and awe-full that He comes into our bodies as our groom, just like a husband and wife.

Why not put those little gardening kneeler things in the back so in case you “need” to be out there, you can kneel?

Remember to pray for our priests.

 

[lizaanne]

At our parish in the summer time and when weather is good we have Eucharistic procession after every noon Mass, outside the Church through the parish cemetery, to a grotto in the back of the cemetery where we will complete the Benediction. It is so amazing to see people who are just walking through the parking lot at the time, or coming out of the school, on their way to do other things - immediately drop to their knees as Jesus approaches and passes them. Everyone stops what they are doing - it is truly a beautiful sight. Then after Jesus passes they go along doing what they were there to do, if not participating in the procession.

I love summer at our parish.

~Liza

 

[TheDoctor]

PRMerger,
During the actual Consecration, the proper thing to do is kneel towards the altar until the Consecration is over (after the elevation of the chalice). Outside of the Consecration, if you are not actually attending Mass, there’s nothing wrong with going in-and-out of the vestibule (provided of course that one is not doing anything or making any loud noises which might disturb the congregation). If kneeling isn’t possible for some reason, then remain standing reverently.

Can you please stand what may be a dumb question? Would this apply to only those in the nave or in the entire church building?

The nave is separated from the vestible at our church by a set of doors, normally closed for Mass. When we have had overflow (Christmas & Easter - yeah, you probably guessed that) the doors are open and those in the vestbule kneel at the consecration. When the doors are closed, I am not sure what people do (but I would like to know so I can educate my kids). If it matters, the doors are glass so someone in the narthex can see clearly what is going on at Mass.

Thanks.

 

[FrDavid96]

Can you please stand what may be a dumb question? Would this apply to only those in the nave or in the entire church building?

The nave is separated from the vestible at our church by a set of doors, normally closed for Mass. When we have had overflow (Christmas & Easter - yeah, you probably guessed that) the doors are open and those in the vestbule kneel at the consecration. When the doors are closed, I am not sure what people do (but I would like to know so I can educate my kids). If it matters, the doors are glass so someone in the narthex can see clearly what is going on at Mass.

Thanks.

Since the doors are glass and the children are aware of what’s happening at the moment, they should be kneeling for the actual Consecration.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

So here’s the situation:

I walked into our church’s vestibule at 10am on a weekday in order to retrieve something. There happened to be a funeral mass, and when I walked into the vestbule it was during the consecration.

What is the proper thing to do if this happens? Do I kneel in the vestibule? Do I pause reverently and then continue on my errand? Do I do nothing since I’m not there for the mass?

Also, on several occasions during Sunday masses I have been in the vestibule manning a table so that after mass we can get signatures or whatever. If I’ve already attended mass that morning I will simply stay in the vestibule during the other masses. What is the proper thing to do when the consecration is occurring in this situation?

Do nothing to disturb the Mass. You may enter into the main Church and kneel in the nearest location, which may be the rear pew or just inside the door. If manning a table after Mass I would attend Mass and leave just after Holy Communion if I have already completed my Sunday obligation.

 

[BSHoop96]

I think even more so, if it is possible since you are more “in the public eye” to make the gestures of reverence is even more important. For instance I always feel I am catechizing, especially for first communion, so am conscience of how I receive, demeanor after communion etc. because some little one may copy me. I even genuflect when I can (which is not that often any more–equipment does not work and I don’t have spare parts).

Get your stewardship committee to recruit lay volunteers for these “sign-up and selling” duties. I hope you are distributing communion at the proper time if you are free, rather than a lay minister. don’t mind me, I am the resident grannie

I’m confused here puzzleannie. Your reply almost seems to indicate that you think FRDavid96 is doing the sign-up and selling when he’s actually just responding to another poster???