What are your pre/post Mass rituals?

[ffg]

I don’t think the questions are that crazy.

The official 1 hour fast seems to sway back and forth between ‘Mass’ and ‘Communion’.

Regardless of how someone sees it, it’s quite possible to have a tradition of which - if someone had, would be hesitant share now.

Currently, I don’t eat until after Mass on Sunday, but that’s not out of pious effort, it’s more because of a mix of two reasons - laziness and we have to get 9 people in the car to leave. Luckily, most of them take care of themselves and each other.

Once I stand up on a Sunday AM, I’m focused on getting out the door and I just don’t think of much else.

As a kid, we loved Dad’s cooking sometimes before, sometimes after Mass, pending timing.

I like to be early. The kids love donuts after, where we chat with friends.

Usually lunch after Mass is ‘cold cut Sunday’ at our house. But we’ll sway from that sometimes. A couple places have wings cheap on Sunday’s.

 

[starlady88]

I like to arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow me time to pray and then read the readings in the missal before Mass. My fiance and I also tend to pray a few minutes after Mass, when I make the effort to pray, at the very least, the St. Michael prayer and the Memorare.

We typically sit in the same general area at Mass. If it is at his parish at the Mass in Spanish, we sit in the very back (the church is not very big). At my parish, we tend to sit toward the front (about pew #8 or so). When I was growing up, my parents always had us sit in the very front row, and they told us that it was so that we could actually see what was happening. I liked that, and now prefer to sit more toward the front if we have the option. My fiance is tall but I am not, and I like to be able to see. I am also a reader, so sometimes we have to sit closer to the front if I am scheduled to read that weekend.

My fiance’s day off before was Sundays, which was perfect. We would go to noon Mass and then out to eat afterward. His day off got changed a couple months ago, so now we normally go to Saturday night vigil at 7:00 pm. Occasionally, if for some reason that does not work, we go to a parish that has Sunday Mass at 5:00 pm.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I like to arrive on time or a few minutes before. But sometimes I don’t plan well and am late. I am actively working on trying to plan better so I am regularly on time.

Afterwards I sometimes like to stay and visit the Blessed Mother or St. Joseph. If it is a church where I have not been before, I may take a couple of pictures of the statues or windows in between prayers. It’s a bit irksome though that some parishes, especially if you attended the “last” Mass at noon, will have someone going around turning off the lights and essentially indicating that they want to lock up very quickly. One time in England I literally was almost locked into the church while visiting the side altars and shrines.

 

[Redd_Jackal]

If the pastor has a “Rise & Greet One Another” *tradition *(their term), then either I drop to my knees, close my eyes, and pray some more until Mass begins.

 

[PNEUMA]

What are your pre/post Mass rituals?

Do you typically arrive early, prompt or a bit late? Do you engage in any preparatory prayers or visiting with others? Do you always sit in the exact same place? Do you take part in any liturgical or hospitality ministries? Do you take part in post-Mass prayer or fellowship opportunities? Do you share a meal with other Catholics, etc?

What changes would you like to make in your own personal routine? What changes or additions would you like to see your parish realize? Thanks.

Yes I sit in the exact same place, arrive at the exact same time, say the exact same words, do the exact same things and so on. Because this bit by bit changes me and the world around me.

 

[Anne1964]

I arrive 30 minutes early so I can pray briefly, then we all pray the rosary together. After Mass I try to spend a few minutes in thanksgiving, then I often go out to brunch with a friend.

 

[edward_george]

I hear confessions for a half hour, usually praying my morning offices in the Confessional, then briskly walk to the sacristy. I put my bag and hat away and then I check the missal and look at the readings. Then I put my vestments on.

-Fr ACEGC