When To Leave Mass

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While we are free to go yes, it’s polite to wait until the music has concluded.
But then., we don’t tend to value the parish musicians, so go ahead…bolt. 🤷
 
pianistclare said:
While we are free to go yes, it’s polite to wait until the music has concluded.
But then., we don’t tend to value the parish musicians, so go ahead…bolt. 🤷
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If it’s of any consolation, I’m one of the few who stick around to hear organ postludes.
 
The “norm” in our parish is to sing the entire recessional hymn and then start leaving, but then our “norm” is also to have a short recessional hymn, two verses at the most, just long enough for the procession to get out the door.

One Sunday the youth were doing the music, and when it became obvious that their choice of a recessional was a repetitive praise song that was going to last about five minutes, I turned to my wife and said something like, “It’s the recessional hymn. Let’s recess.”

We don’t stay afterwards and pray, but then we’re usually there 20-30 minutes before Mass praying, going over the readings, etc.
 
AttendeDomine said:
So is the general consensus that the norm is to leave just after the celebrant?

If so: is anyone aware of any sort of literature that would address that issue and recommend that particular practice?
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Many saints and spiritual writers have encouraged making at least a 15 minute thanksgiving after Mass.
 
808Catholic said:
You may be practicing piety by giving thanks after the recessional. Remember at the end of Mass, the priest gives the dismissal? “The Mass is ended. Go in peace.” Something along those lines. Sometimes the Deacon will dismiss the congregation with “Go proclaim the Good News!” What we’ve heard in Mass we are to spread out into the community. I applaud devoted Catholics for feeling the need to give personal thanks but I’d also like to remind others how important it is that we live the Gospel the other 6 days as well. This is how we spread the Gospel: by showing others the example of Christ in us. God Bless you. 👍
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That’s what narthexes, entryways, and church steps are for.
 
pianistclare said:
But then., we don’t tend to value the parish musicians, so go ahead…bolt. 🤷
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We used to bolt when I was growing up back in the city. My wife and I stay till the end (and make the kids stay as well)…even when we are not fans of the music choice…and have even been known to clap for the kids choir or first time leader of song…as someone who does not play or sing I am both appreciative and impressed…👍
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
Many saints and spiritual writers have encouraged making at least a 15 minute thanksgiving after Mass.
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Jimmy Akins seems to be one of them.
When we receive Holy Communion, the appearance of bread remains for about fifteen or twenty minutes after we receive, and then it changes or disappears. Therefore during these fifteen or twenty minutes that the appearance remains Our Lord Himself is really with us; and for that reason we should remain about twenty minutes after Mass on the day we receive, making a thanksgiving, speaking to Our Lord, and listening to Him speaking to our conscience. What disrespect some people show Our Lord by rushing out of the church immediately after Mass and Holy Communion, sometimes beginning to talk or look around before making any thanksgiving!..
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jimmyakin.com/the-baltimore-catechism-11
 
I usually try to spend a few minutes by the Tabernacle after Mass. I’ve learned to tune out the after/before Mass din that takes place. Works for me, maybe not everyone.
 
In my parish Sunday Masses start an hour and a half apart in the morning, so people clear out quickly after the recessional/end of hymn as the parishioners for the next Mass will be coming in.
 
tawny said:
I usually try to spend a few minutes by the Tabernacle after Mass. I’ve learned to tune out the after/before Mass din that takes place. Works for me, maybe not everyone.
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I don’t think they leave our doors unlocked for very long after Mass, here. I. Was,always under the impression they want people out after the Saturday evening Mass so hey can lock up.
 
I don’t think the word ‘Go’ means - ‘ready, set, go!’. (but it would be entertaining).

The obvious question for folks who do think this - do they practice the rest of the sentence as strictly as the obedience to the word ‘go’?

I was taught to not leave before the final blessing (which would be before ‘go’, but after communion).

I think it is polite to at least wait until the priest’s back is past you.

I’ve never understood the rush, I think as a kid we would start walking out during the last song after the priest was by us.

Now, my family (wife and kids) stay for the whole song, all few minutes of it (if a long song).
 
For us it really depends. If we attend at an FSSP parish we will stay until the recesional and music ends and then kneel in prayer. At our territorial parish we wait until the priest leaves the nave and enters the narthex, but often are shooting to be in the narthex before the final hymn completes.

Why the difference? At the FSSP parish it is quiet after the recesional. People don’t chitchat in the nave, but wait until they are in front of the church or in the parish social hall. They also don’t give applause after Mass. It makes it more conductive to prayer. Also at the FSSP parish I’d say better than 80% of people stay to pray for 5-10 minutes after Mass so people arent trying to climb over you. Unfortunately at our territorial parish, immediately after the final note the clapping and chitchat starts. It lasts for 5-10 minutes so it is not a conductive time and place to pray.
 
808Catholic said:
I respectfully disagree but we are entitled to our own opinions. God Bless you.🙂
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We are, but even common courtesy would suggest that you respect those who wish to pray by moving the chatting and socializing out of the main body of the church.
 
drforjc said:
We are, but even common courtesy would suggest that you respect those who wish to pray by moving the chatting and socializing out of the main body of the church.
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👍

Move the yackety-yack outside.
 
I have left Mass early when I had to be at work by a certain time due to my work schedule. I arrived early and sat near the back so if I had to leave after Communion, I could do so. When me and my parents were able to take my grandmother to Mass, we sat in the back and left after the final blessing so I could pull the car around to the entrance as my parents would help her to the car.

I do notice when I go to TLMs that at least of half of the people tend to stay longer for private prayers after Mass is done. That is rare in the OF Masses and churches I’ve gone to over the years.
 
DaveBj said:
👍

Move the yackety-yack outside.
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I agree with you and @drforjc: those who wish to socialize after Mass should take their conversation outside the sanctuary. However, that’s a call for the pastor and not up to the laity to whoosh people outside. Can you imagine the Apostles herding people off the hill after Jesus finishes feeding the 5,000? “Move along, people! You’ve had your bread and fish. Now it’s time to leave!”

Perhaps we should let God determine who needs to stay and who needs to take their conversation outside? I believe the church is not “my” building but God’s House so let Him make the “house rules.” 👍
 
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