Water Bottles durring Mass

[Saoirse]

the only times I’ve found other people’s water bottles distracting is when I’ve regretted that I didn’t bring my own!

almost everyone in the choir has one, and I guess to me it just seems like a silly thing to fuss over.

 

[Mary3]

I observed the celebrant sipping from a glass of water at his chair and at the altar last week, I supposed that because of his obviously advanced age, he needed it.
However, I think it is a rare person who can’t get through an hour in the church without the ubiquitous water bottle. Before people became tethered to cell phones and water bottles, how did they make it through Mass, especially those Solemn High Masses of years gone by?

Not so rare. There are many diseases that cause decreased function of the salivary glands. In addition, this is a more natural consequence of aging. Diminished saliva causes very painful dryness of the mouth, that is relieved somewhat by sipping on water. Personal experience.

 

[rciadan]

How did He put it, " Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote our of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?" The ones with the water bottles may be the ones actually paying attention at Mass, while perhaps the ones counting the water bottles are too busy…
I think that if one were concentrating more on what is happening on the Altar, one would probably not notice the water bottles so much.

 

[KathleenElsie]

I was in the low minority here, voting with the “no problem” option. But, I believe that an option was excluded here and that is “only if it is needed to help one not be distracted during the Mass.”

Of course, “offering it up” is always praiseworthy; the holy souls sure could use the graces, but to decree that no one, a cantor or otherwise, who cannot focus on Mass because they are so thirsty should be forced to offer it up in my mind is too pushy.

I have been so Masses outside under a tent in late July in Georgia, with temperatures in the tent easily exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity, and to not drink water during a 1 1/2 hour Mass is just not healthy. The ultimate goal is to be able to receive Our Lord worthily and to be at least interiorly present and attentive at the Holy Sacrifice. If your thirst is too distracting, then please have a glass of water. It’s not like it violates the Communion fast.

What about the distractions to the others at Mass. The majority of those at Mass don’t take out their bottle while everyone is praying or participating. Tent Masses are usually shorter then most. In the case of a 1 1/2 hour 100 degree Mass then sip prior to the Mass and take your bottle out prior to partaking.

Again IMHO unless you are ill or the priest that must have a discrete sip to speak then you get your drink prior to entering the area of the Mass.

 

[boppaid]

We all know that water is important for our bodies, but Its not necessary for onee to take it during mass. It would take someone “as dry as the Karahari desert” to get lack of water related complications in the 1 hour that most masses last.

Not necessary doesn’t automatically equal wrong. I guess I’m wondering why it might be considered wrong.

 

[boppaid]

Are you serious? Why the heck should you sacrifice water??? Well, maybe, just because God gave up His life for you so that you could have the precious gift of eternal salvation. And you can’t go without water for one measly hour to show gratitude to God? And you think that even qualifies as a sacrifice? It’s not even a deprivation, for heaven’s sake. Do some reading on St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars to find out what true sacrifice is. Sheesh!

Yes, he gave his life for me… the greatest of all sacrifice. Does He ask that I give up water during Mass? Where does it end? Should we give up television because we enjoy it? Should we walk to mass 10 miles in the rain so that we sacrifice for Him? Where do you draw the line? Why is it necessary to sacrifice water during mass, yet not necessary to walk to mass?

 

[ComradeAndrei]

As someone else said, I don’t know how folks made it through a High Mass without their precious water bottle.

I really do think so folks carry around those things as fashion accessories. At least it seemed that way to me in college, “Look at me, I’m athletic and into excercise and health, so much so that I have this water bottle hooked to my backpack, etc. etc. ad naseaum”.

It seems that no one is willing to “offer it up” any more. We used to have a fast from midnight, then a three hour fast, now people will whine and complain about the measly hour fast we have today. Come on! Or, it seems that one cannot survive for the 45 min. the average Sunday Mass at a suburban Novus Ordo parish lasts without the bottles of water, electronic gadgets, cheerios and a mess of toys for Junior, and all sorts of other material stuff.

I guess you can say its a sign of the times. We used to come to Mass bringing ourselves, a rosary and maybe a missal or other prayer book/spiritual reading. We came out of the world and into the transcendence of the Sacrifice of Mass in which we were able to participate in a foretaste of heaven. Now folks drag their worldly junk to Mass, which they think should be some sort of self-help seminar/vaguely religious entertainment. Hmm…

 

[st_ignatius110]

It is a NO WAY for anyone else, even if they are really thirsty.

Hey, don’t forget us pregnant women who dehydrate VERY quickly and sit through and hour and a half Mass. I NEVER drink water in the Mass or in the Church but do go to the restroom about midway for a couple of sips from the sink.

 

[baltobetsy]

Why is it necessary to sacrifice water during mass?

Because for people in ordinary health (not pregnant ladies with morning sickness or people on medication that causes dry mouth, or whatever else), in an ordinary circumstance (not in stifling summer heat), slouching into Mass with a water bottle is tacky and selfish!!! Don’t we owe the Lord of the Universe something a little better than that?

We are privileged to be present at the Best Thing That Ever Happened On Earth. Is there not some decorum to be observed here? Is our society so casual, so degraded, that we cannot rise above our bodily functions for one brief hour?

Have we no dignity???

Betsy

 

[paramedicgirl]

Your choice to go the extra mile in this particular aspect by giving up water during mass is commendable. Yet making a sacrifice that is not specifically stipulated by the Church is an individual decision not binding on anyone else. We are not permitted to place this kind of pressure or create rules for a person over whom we have no spiritual authority.

It is not a sin to drink water during mass, even if it may be seen by others as disrespectful or imprudent to do so in an obvious manner.

Oh, but scandal is a sin. And if you are guzzling a water bottle, and slurping it in front of everyone else, causing them to be distracted from the Mass, then IMO, it’s a source of scandal. How is the person next to you, or their children that they are trying to teach, going to know you don’t have something else in there?

What is wrong with society that they can’t deprive themselves of anything? Not even for Our Lord.

 

[wannabee]

Hey, don’t forget us pregnant women who dehydrate VERY quickly and sit through and hour and a half Mass. I NEVER drink water in the Mass or in the Church but do go to the restroom about midway for a couple of sips from the sink.

I’ll just repeat what I said in post 25

*Come on folk - admit it - you cannot cope without something in your mouth !

Look at all the babies / toddlers being pushed around in their buggies - bottle of milk or water or juice in their wee hands - not to mention Mom swigging from her bottle while she pushes the wee one.

Look at the toddlers walking aorund with a bag of chips in their hands mom doing the same]

Look at all the sweeties / candy and things going to Church with the kids - as bribery to keep them quiet.

Remember how you were brought up - you got nothing between meals.

NOW - before I’m screamed at - yes there are folk who need to get drinks/ food regularly - I’m not making any comments about them - it’s the others who need their comforter - something in their mouth all the time.

This is something that has arisen during the last few years - let’s hope it dies soon.

*And I have not even mentioned those chewing gum

 

[paramedicgirl]

Yes, he gave his life for me… the greatest of all sacrifice. Does He ask that I give up water during Mass? Where does it end? Should we give up television because we enjoy it? Should we walk to mass 10 miles in the rain so that we sacrifice for Him? Where do you draw the line? Why is it necessary to sacrifice water during mass, yet not necessary to walk to mass?

All of those would be good sacrifices. You should try each one of them. It will sanctify you.

 

[st_ignatius110]

I’ll just repeat what I said in post 25

Come on folk - admit it - you cannot cope without something in your mouth !

Look at all the babies / toddlers being pushed around in their buggies - bottle of milk or water or juice in their wee hands - not to mention Mom swigging from her bottle while she pushes the wee one.

Look at the toddlers walking aorund with a bag of chips in their hands mom doing the same]

Look at all the sweeties / candy and things going to Church with the kids - as bribery to keep them quiet.

Remember how you were brought up - you got nothing between meals.

NOW - before I’m screamed at - yes there are folk who need to get drinks/ food regularly - I’m not making any comments about them - it’s the others who need their comforter - something in their mouth all the time.

This is something that has arisen during the last few years - let’s hope it dies soon.

And I have not even mentioned those chewing gum

I was actually responding to Cristiano. I cannot remember what post number it was now.

 

[Jason_Hurd]

Oh, but scandal is a sin. And if you are guzzling a water bottle, and slurping it in front of everyone else, causing them to be distracted from the Mass, then IMO, it’s a source of scandal.

Well, I’ll tell you what is a source of scandal to me, and that is the number of people on this thread who apparently are so easily distracted at Mass that they have the time and inclination to notice what their neighbors are doing. One’s attention should be solely on the celebrant or on one’s own prayers. What is with all this looking around and making note of what other people are doing? Is that why we come to church, to judge others in a misguided attempt to make ourselves feel superior? If your attention span is so weak that you cannot concentrate on the Mass because your neighbor’s behavior bothers you, then I suggest you see your doctor immediately, because you may have something medically wrong with you. Otherwise, we would all be well advised, for the welfare of our souls, to pay more attention to what’s going on at the altar and less to what is going on in the pews. It’s not hard if you really try.

 

[mommyof4]

I answerd “don’t bring them in the building,” but I am certainly not dogmatic about it. If someone needs to drink water during mass (medical reason, etc.), then I would certainly not think the worse for them for doing so. I just don’t want mass being treated like a baseball game or other “event” where we can have drinks.

 

[paramedicgirl]

Well, I’ll tell you what is a source of scandal to me, and that is the number of people on this thread who apparently are so easily distracted at Mass that they have the time and inclination to notice what their neighbors are doing. One’s attention should be solely on the celebrant or on one’s own prayers. What is with all this looking around and making note of what other people are doing? Is that why we come to church, to judge others in a misguided attempt to make ourselves feel superior? If your attention span is so weak that you cannot concentrate on the Mass because your neighbor’s behavior bothers you, then I suggest you see your doctor immediately, because you may have something medically wrong with you. Otherwise, we would all be well advised, for the welfare of our souls, to pay more attention to what’s going on at the altar and less to what is going on in the pews. It’s not hard if you really try.

Fortunately, in my church, we don’t have any water guzzling going on. And I’ve already learned, long ago, to keep my eyes closed at Mass. That way I don’t have to witness the actions of the people around me, and I can focus on the prayers of the Mass. Many times I wished I had brought ear plugs, though, to drown out the latest gossip that gets whispered through the pews by those sitting close to me. I have been known to get up and move when that happens, and also to frown at them if there is nowhere to move to. It usually shuts them up.

 

[boppaid]

Because for people in ordinary health (not pregnant ladies with morning sickness or people on medication that causes dry mouth, or whatever else), in an ordinary circumstance (not in stifling summer heat), slouching into Mass with a water bottle is tacky and selfish!!! Don’t we owe the Lord of the Universe something a little better than that?

I guess that’s where our difference lies. You think a sip of water during mass is tacky and selfish, and I don’t. It’s simply a matter of opinion, so we are surely not going to agree! I was wondering if there was somthing doctinal against water during mass, but it appears not. It appears it is simply preference and opinion.

We are privileged to be present at the Best Thing That Ever Happened On Earth. Is there not some decorum to be observed here?

Decorum is subjective. What if I think proper decorum is a tuxedo at mass. After all, Christ sacrificed so much for us…a tuxedo or equally formal attire is the only way to show the reverence he deserves. Does that mean everyone need agree with me and wear a tux? The same is true for water at mass.

 

[boppaid]

Oh, but scandal is a sin. And if you are guzzling a water bottle, and slurping it in front of everyone else, causing them to be distracted from the Mass, then IMO, it’s a source of scandal. How is the person next to you, or their children that they are trying to teach, going to know you don’t have something else in there?

What is wrong with society that they can’t deprive themselves of anything? Not even for Our Lord.

Well, the man getting out of his seat to get a drink of water in the back is causing scandle then. SO is the man with his terrible cough sitting behind me. Likewise, the woman with 3 distracting kids in the pew across the aisle. If a distraction at mass is scandle, that too is subjective, because different people find different things distractive. I, for one, am distracted by a lot of things at Mass…the girl quietly drinking water isn’t one of them. (And who slurps? LOL Sufice it to say, if someone is “slurping” then I agree with you…they are,indeed, distracting. And they have more issues than their waterbottle. )

 

[ktp]

There are very few medical conditions where someone would have to have a water bottle at Mass. The sense of sacrifice is gone from this generation. Personal comfort and convenience ranks high, though.

I am curious if there are ANY medical conditions that prevent a person from going a whole hour without water. If so, how do they sleep at night? They would have to set their alarm to be up every 30 or 45 minutes to have a drink.

Pregnancy has been mentioned as a need for water. I have been pregnant quite a few times, including with multiples, and a couple of more difficult pregnancies, and I have never once been unable to last an hour without drinking.

I was under the impression that any food or drink was not allowed an hour before communion, the reason being, you are receiving Jesus, and as an issue of respect and reverence, you don’t toss him in with your omelette and coffee. Is there an exception for water? I didn’t think so, but no doubt there is someone here who knows for sure.

Even if there is, there is the issue of cleanliness in the sanctuary. Many places frown on food and drink simply to avoid the spills that invariably follow.

And it is tacky and disrespectful to sit and sip your water in front of God HImself, as if you’re at a sporting event.

 

[ktp]

Well, the man getting out of his seat to get a drink of water in the back is causing scandle then. SO is the man with his terrible cough sitting behind me. Likewise, the woman with 3 distracting kids in the pew across the aisle. If a distraction at mass is scandle, that too is subjective, because different people find different things distractive. I, for one, am distracted by a lot of things at Mass…the girl quietly drinking water isn’t one of them. (And who slurps? LOL Sufice it to say, if someone is “slurping” then I agree with you…they are,indeed, distracting. And they have more issues than their waterbottle. )

I would question why adults are getting up to get drinks as much as why they need to bring water in with them. Again, aren’t we supposed to fast from food and drink an hour before communion? So no one should be getting out of their pew for a drink.

As to the woman with three kids, we have complete control over bringing a water bottle into mass; parents with young children do not have complete control over how those children behave. Bringing a water bottle is optional. Bringing your children really isn’t (shouldn’t be) as they need to learn about God and Mass somehow.