Weebles wobble in Communion line

[AlanFromWichita]

OK. I don’t concede. Nor do I accuse.

I appreciate all the responses and encouraging words.

From what I gather from this and other “externals” discussions, is that while internals alone are probably all that’s important to God, it is externals that keep the Church herself going.

So I won’t say that we are disrespecting God by careless bobbling. (Specifically excluding bobbling due to physical necessity.) I will say that it looks disorganized compared to what I was taught to do. It is not a crime against God, but a crime against what could be a beautiful choreography.

Who wants to travel to go to a play and the actors only give it half-hearted participation? They may be wonderful people, but we expect them to make it look a certain way for us. We have to recognize that it isn’t all about God. It’s about each other, and about going through a rather personal ritual together. If we all are careful in how we participate, it could make a “picture perfect” ceremony.

Alan

 

[Shin]

That hits the nail on the head. It still is the view, it seems. I think the Pope mentioned something about not forcing anyone to do anything. Perhaps he’s leaving it up to the nuns?

Cute! Very cute!

 

[Apryl]

Ah, don’t do that. I know what you mean and despite all the people here with health problems, generally speaking, there are far more at Mass who don’t have health issues causing them to do that. In fact, a few weeks ago I went to another church and saw a couple walking down the Communion aisle talking and laughing almost the entire way.

I got one better than that:

A couple of years ago, we went to Mass in the Grotto for the Feast of the Assumption.

Now, as a person who didn’t know about these things, I was surprised that there is an old Catholic church with an actual cemetary around the back. There is an actual Grotto beyond the cemetary. There were chairs placed on these headstones that I believe were more than 100 years old each.

It was beautiful

The Mass was in Latin

Everything was so spiritual and respectful. It was a dream occurence

Until it was time for the Holy Communion.

There were a few men who received Communion, then stood in the back chatting and catching up with each other. Dirty glares seemed to only intensify the conversation and increase the volume.

I’m still miffed.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is another custom I was taught from early childhood, actually part of the altar server’s training (even in a girl’s school we could not do that but had boy servers come in from the grade school) but the attitude was stressed for all. When performing some liturgical action like fcrossing oneself the hands can move, but at all other times the hands should be held still, either folded, or if one hand is in use, the other hand is held against the breast. I used that to teach my children to behave at Mass when they were small. If they know what to do with their hands, and feet (and the part that sits on the pew) at all times it is actually easier to behave. And boy there was no slouching or half-sitting in my day, either. My dad would quickly make sure we were kneeling up straight–I was taught not to lean on the pew back in a way to inconvenience those in front of me, either. Or the nuns would use that handy pointer to get us in the full upright position.

anybody here remember “crickets” the nuns used to signal us when to stand, sit, kneel and genuflect? Everytime I see “The Longest Day” where John Wayne explains to his men how to recognize friendly units in the dark after the invasion, I giggle and think the real-life general must have gone to parochial school. We were also taught to put the kneelers up and down silently–another skill that could stand practice today.

 

[twopekinguys]

I have to thank several of you for giving me a reason to smile today. I can just picture some of these things.

To the OP, talking about everyone in line perfectly straight, it made me think of the movie “Spy Kids”, with all of the little robot kids lined up to get their brains.
I love that movie.

Puzzleannie, I now have to get a new keyboard, because this one is covered with Pepsi!! I haven’t laughed like that in a while.

Back to the point of the OP. Everyone is going to be different. It isn’t so much the way they walk or process, it is what is in their heart and soul (and mine) while they are in line, and once we receive the Eucharist.

I remember one time I was behind a little old lady while making our way through the communion line. The poor lady could barely walk. She would grab each pew as we moved forward, while balancing herself with her cane in the other hand.

As is customary, when she was about to receive, she made a bow before the priest and the Eucharist. As she did, she passed gas rather loudly.

Once I received, I caught up with the lady, and wrapped her arm in mine and escorted her back to the pew.

My point in all of this is simple. God meets us where we are, as we are. Wobbling, creaking, cracking, warts and all. For that, I am truly grateful and in awe.

 

[Zacdecat]

OMG! I’d never heard of haka until just now. That’s quite a picture he was painting!

Alan

It was because some folk really stick their tongue out unnecessarily far… it is a really kiwi thang, normally with rolling eyes etc as seen on the footy field when the All Blacks strut their stuff:thumbsup:

 

[Faith1960]

I don’t know if this has changed any opinions or offended anyone. If the latter, I apologize in advance. As a closing point, I will say this: There is a reason the “judge not, lest ye be judged” reading is included in the Mass. We all too often forget it, ignore it, or rationalize it away. If you find yourself distracted by something during Mass or in the line for communion, fix your eyes on God in the crucifix. You won’t see your fellow, flawed human beings, and you will maintain your focus on what is truly important.

Not always possible. For instance, we have a small group of elderly people who get to Mass early and talk. LOUDLY. Sometimes I like to go to Mass early to pray the rosary and sit far a way from them, on the other side of church, yet they’re so loud that it’s impossible for me to pay attention with all the loud talking and laughing.
Okay, I guess I shouldn’t judge…perhaps they’re hard of hearing and are undable to hear polite whispering. Uh, no. There’s no reason to be bellowing in church. Pure and simple.

 

[jmcrae]

Not always possible. For instance, we have a small group of elderly people who get to Mass early and talk. LOUDLY. Sometimes I like to go to Mass early to pray the rosary and sit far a way from them, on the other side of church, yet they’re so loud that it’s impossible for me to pay attention with all the loud talking and laughing.
Okay, I guess I shouldn’t judge…perhaps they’re hard of hearing and are undable to hear polite whispering. Uh, no. There’s no reason to be bellowing in church. Pure and simple.

Have you tried walking over to them and mentioning to them that you are trying to pray, and would appreciate it if they would take their conversation out to the social hall? Sometimes, people just don’t realize that they’re being rude.

 

[rkrispies]

I have to thank several of you for giving me a reason to smile today. I can just picture some of these things.

To the OP, talking about everyone in line perfectly straight, it made me think of the movie “Spy Kids”, with all of the little robot kids lined up to get their brains.
I love that movie.

Puzzleannie, I now have to get a new keyboard, because this one is covered with Pepsi!! I haven’t laughed like that in a while.

Back to the point of the OP. Everyone is going to be different. It isn’t so much the way they walk or process, it is what is in their heart and soul (and mine) while they are in line, and once we receive the Eucharist.

I remember one time I was behind a little old lady while making our way through the communion line. The poor lady could barely walk. She would grab each pew as we moved forward, while balancing herself with her cane in the other hand.

As is customary, when she was about to receive, she made a bow before the priest and the Eucharist. As she did, she passed gas rather loudly.

Once I received, I caught up with the lady, and wrapped her arm in mine and escorted her back to the pew.

My point in all of this is simple. God meets us where we are, as we are. Wobbling, creaking, cracking, warts and all. For that, I am truly grateful and in awe.

Well said.

 

[Faith1960]

Have you tried walking over to them and mentioning to them that you are trying to pray, and would appreciate it if they would take their conversation out to the social hall? Sometimes, people just don’t realize that they’re being rude.

No, of course not. My marching all the way across the church to reprimand my elders, even politely, would be just as rude as they are being. IMO.

 

[jmcrae]

No, of course not. My marching all the way across the church to reprimand my elders, even politely, would be just as rude as they are being. IMO.

Then don’t complain about them behind their backs. Most people would be grateful to be told to their faces that their behaviour was incorrect, rather than be talked about behind their backs. Just let them know, in a very polite way, that you are trying to pray, and that their conversation is distracting to you. They are probably not even aware that you can hear them.

 

[bluerose]

there is another custom I was taught from early childhood, actually part of the altar server’s training (even in a girl’s school we could not do that but had boy servers come in from the grade school) but the attitude was stressed for all. When performing some liturgical action like fcrossing oneself the hands can move, but at all other times the hands should be held still, either folded, or if one hand is in use, the other hand is held against the breast. I used that to teach my children to behave at Mass when they were small. If they know what to do with their hands, and feet (and the part that sits on the pew) at all times it is actually easier to behave. And boy there was no slouching or half-sitting in my day, either. My dad would quickly make sure we were kneeling up straight–I was taught not to lean on the pew back in a way to inconvenience those in front of me, either. Or the nuns would use that handy pointer to get us in the full upright position.

anybody here remember “crickets” the nuns used to signal us when to stand, sit, kneel and genuflect? Everytime I see “The Longest Day” where John Wayne explains to his men how to recognize friendly units in the dark after the invasion, I giggle and think the real-life general must have gone to parochial school. We were also taught to put the kneelers up and down silently–another skill that could stand practice today.

Glad I’m not the only one! Of course, when my son was trained to serve at the altar, he was taught to fold his hands “properly”–fingers straight out, together, one thumb crossed over the other, fingers either pointing straight up or straight forward. No lacing the fingers at all. He follows this protocol whether he’s serving or not. I can feel him getting hives when he sees fellow teenagers (he’s sixteen) standing with their arms crossed or, worse, hands in their pockets during the Gospel or in the communion line!

Our parish church has an extremely narrow center aisle–and no side aisles. People always tried to form two lines going up to communion up the center, then two lines returning on either side. Talk about weebles! A lot of people had to return down the aisle sideways in order to avoid bumping into people in line and the heads of people in the pews. Years ago, the priest we had at the time taught the parishioners to form one line going up to communion, which split when they reached the priest to receive (sometimes he distributed alone, sometimes with the deacon’s help) and then there were two lines returning. MUCH more orderly and less “wobbling”. Unfortunately, when he left, it seemed like everyone forgot and went back to four lines. My son, however, always remembered and whenever the ushers get to our pew (we usually sit at the midway point), he steps out and centers himself between the two lines… and everyone else behind us has an “Oh, yeah! THAT’S how Fr. Rob taught us to do it!” moment and they follow suit.

I think a lot has been lost since the emphasis on proper posture and etiquette has been diminished. People slouch, people “clump” when they walk, they drag their feet or shuffle, no one seems to know what to do with their hands… and it’s everywhere, not just church. I am wondering if people have lost the ability to walk without texting or talking on a cellphone, but that’s another thread for another day…

 

[Miserys_Fence]

Glad I’m not the only one! Of course, when my son was trained to serve at the altar, he was taught to fold his hands “properly”–fingers straight out, together, one thumb crossed over the other, fingers either pointing straight up or straight forward. No lacing the fingers at all. He follows this protocol whether he’s serving or not. I can feel him getting hives when he sees fellow teenagers (he’s sixteen) standing with their arms crossed or, worse, hands in their pockets during the Gospel or in the communion line!

Interesting! I’m a new convert, and still have a lot to learn.

We have side aisles, so we go up the center in 2 lines and go back via the sides. I don’t look at other people, so I don’t know what they do (or when they do it!). Because of arthritis/knee surgery, I do tend to be a bit unsteady and use my hands to hold onto the pew as I exit. But once I’m out and in line, I fold my hands in gassho position (palms together, fingers pointing up, thumbs against breastbone) and they stay there until I take the Cup (I receive the Host on the tongue). After I give the Cup back and cross myself, my hands go back to gassho until I reach my pew (and need to balance again).

I don’t think I particularly wobble as I walk up the aisle. I keep my head bowed and only look at the feet of the person in front of me. But I guess if he/she “wobbles,” then so would I!

Miz

 

[Faith1960]

Then don’t complain about them behind their backs. Most people would be grateful to be told to their faces that their behaviour was incorrect

LOL.

 

[jmcrae]

LOL.

• Rather than be talked about behind their backs.

Of course, if they become aware that you have been talking about them behind their backs, they would become offended. But most people would rather be told in private, so that they can correct themselves without losing face.