Why do people do this during communion?

[jazzy0710]

I joined RCIA at my parish back in October. My husband and I will be doing communion for the first time at Easter. We attend mass every Sunday but of course during communion, we just remain in the pew, standing.

Now the way the church is constructed there are many large spaces between most the pews that allow you to circle along the outside.However rather than going around the outside many walk right through the pews and if you don’t move out of their way they get MAD and I mean FUMING MAD!

Why is it that they feel the need to walk through all of the pews? Why not go around?

 

[Tabby]

Why is it that they feel the need to walk through all of the pews? Why not go around?

Because that is the traffic flow pattern they are used to; by standing in the pews, you are inadvertently blocking an established traffic flow. Perhaps you could sit down in the pew and pull in your legs so people could pass by?

Not to suggest anyone should become “fuming mad” over such a trivial thing, but it can be annoying when people don’t seem to be paying attention to how lines are moving through a church.

 

[jimrob]

I’m sorry you’ve had to endure the rudeness of some of the poorer educated members of the Church. It’s not a good introduction to Catholicism. They probably think that they are superior to you because you are sitting in their way rather than going to receive Holy Communion.

God made everything out of nothing.
God created order out of chaos.
God created man out of the slime of the Earth.
Sometimes the nothingness, the chaos and the sliminess shows through.

 

[promethius]

Because that is the traffic flow pattern they are used to; by standing in the pews, you are inadvertently blocking an established traffic flow. Perhaps you could sit down in the pew and pull in your legs so people could pass by?

Not to suggest anyone should become “fuming mad” over such a trivial thing, but it can be annoying when people don’t seem to be paying attention to how lines are moving through a church.

Yep! Or step out into the aisle, allow traffic to pass, and then step back into the aisle (this works a lot better if you sit on one edge or the other, not in the middle of the pew).

 

[sarahq]

Yep! Or step out into the aisle, allow traffic to pass, and then step back into the aisle (this works a lot better if you sit on one edge or the other, not in the middle of the pew).

This is what I do!

 

[Lily0fthevalley]

I sit way in the back by the door and at the end of the pew to stay out of people’s way. So the ones that do sit in the back just walk all the way around and into the pew. easy done

 

[Savior2012]

At our Church we stand the whole time while praying, for some reason we don’t kneel any longer.

 

[nickybr38]

Just a couple of suggestions as to etiquette.

1. If you are not receiving communion seat yourself beside the wall (so there is no one to your left or right that needs to leave for communion). If it’s impossible to do this, then sit nearest the aisle.
2. When it is time for communion step out of the way, a step back from your pew so it’s obvious you want those to your left or right to go first. IF they don’t move just wave them forward so they know you want them to go ahead of you. When everyone has filed out, move back to your seat so those in the pew behind yours know you are not moving forward.
3. If you don’t care to stand up and moved into the aisle AT ALL, sit and move your legs so it is easy for those wishing to move through to pass by and then resuming standing once they have passed.

Sure it would be easier if they walked around and they didn’t have to pass you BUT it is your responsibility to make their passing easy as well.

 

[nickybr38]

At our Church we stand the whole time while praying, for some reason we don’t kneel any longer.

It was explained to our congregation (by our Bishop) that we should ALL stand during communion. It is a show of our solidarity. Communion is not just about you and Jesus but being united with the community of believers. When Communion is over and the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the… er… what’s it called? Anyway, once communion is over you may kneel and commence with private prayer but during communion the community should wait for all to receive and be in ‘communion’ with one another, with Christ at the center.

I find private prayer, the part where you’re kneeling, is more me and Christ and less me, the congregation and Christ so I understand why the Bishop asked us to do this.

 

[Marquette]

Why are you not going up? When I was in RCIA we were told to go up with everyone else but keep our arms crossed over our chests and the priest gave us each a blessing. That way you won’t be in the pew getting dagger looks AND you will get a blessing besides.

 

[Edmundus1581]

This is a terrible way for traffic to flow during communion, as it nearly forces people to receive communion, just so they are not getting in the way. The communion procession should be such that people can, for any reason, stay in their seats and not be conspicuous.

You may not know it yet, but Catholics should not receive communion if they are in a state of mortal sin, or have not observed the communion fast (of one hour, before receiving communion). Thus the communion procession should be arranged for them to not take communion, without drawing attention to themselves.

The Church should also make it easy for non-Catholics to visit and to abstain from communion.

The good news is that most Catholic churches do actually have a better arrangement for the communion procession than this.

I’m so sad that you have been placed in this position. I am also not surprised that some grumpy people have been fuming at you - grumpiness is a prevalent among Catholics as it is in the general population.

I recommend that you raise your concerns with your RCIA director. It is unlikely that the parish will change something that has been going on for years, but these things (ie. fixing a liturgical abuse) do happen eventually.

~ Edmundus

 

[Lily0fthevalley]

Why are you not going up? When I was in RCIA we were told to go up with everyone else but keep our arms crossed over our chests and the priest gave us each a blessing. That way you won’t be in the pew getting dagger looks AND you will get a blessing besides.

Haven’t been told anything about it. Will definately ask tomorrow night for the class.

 

[nickybr38]

Why are you not going up? When I was in RCIA we were told to go up with everyone else but keep our arms crossed over our chests and the priest gave us each a blessing. That way you won’t be in the pew getting dagger looks AND you will get a blessing besides.

It is my understanding that receiving a blessing is not ALWAYS encouraged. I don’t understand it completely, but apparently it is a practice that is discouraged. Besides, she receives a blessing at the beginning of the Mass AND at the end. Why does she need a third blessing during communion?

 

[Edmundus1581]

It is my understanding that receiving a blessing is not ALWAYS encouraged. I** don’t understand it completely, but apparently it is a practice that is discouraged.** Besides, she receives a blessing at the beginning of the Mass AND at the end. Why does she need a third blessing during communion?

I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion that you go forward for a blessing. Yes, this has been subject to some controversy, but if it is permitted (or even encouraged) in your diocese and parish then you are free to do it, and I would encourage you to.

You shouldn’t have any problems with this, but just in case someone says it is not licit, please refer first to my recent post on the topic.

 

[nickybr38]

I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion that you go forward for a blessing. Yes, this has been subject to some controversy, but if it is permitted (or even encouraged) in your diocese and parish then you are free to do it, and I would encourage you to.

It is allowed in my diocese but I know when I was in RCIA I was not comfortable going up for a blessing so I didn’t. It didn’t hurt my spiritual growth at all. If the OP isn’t comfortable going up then she shouldn’t but before she goes up I would suggest she ask her team leader at RCIA to confirm if it is a practice that this particular parish encourages.

 

[thomas_jd]

I joined RCIA at my parish back in October. My husband and I will be doing communion for the first time at Easter. We attend mass every Sunday but of course during communion, we just remain in the pew, standing.

Now the way the church is constructed there are many large spaces between most the pews that allow you to circle along the outside.However rather than going around the outside many walk right through the pews and if you don’t move out of their way they get MAD and I mean FUMING MAD!

Why is it that they feel the need to walk through all of the pews? Why not go around?

Your new to this . Move out of the way and let them pass.

 

[Edmundus1581]

It is allowed in my diocese but I know when I was in RCIA I was not comfortable going up for a blessing so I didn’t. It didn’t hurt my spiritual growth at all. If the OP isn’t comfortable going up then she shouldn’t but before she goes up I would suggest she ask her team leader at RCIA to confirm if it is a practice that this particular parish encourages.

Thanks for the reply. Good points. i certainly wouldn’t encourage anyone to go forward for a blessing if they don’t want to, for any reason.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Because that is the traffic flow pattern they are used to; by standing in the pews, you are inadvertently blocking an established traffic flow. Perhaps you could sit down in the pew and pull in your legs so people could pass by?.

Another option is to walk up with everyone, fold arms across chest so it’s obvious you are not receiving, bow briefly to the Lord and file back with everyone.

It’s nice. You are more part of, you get to go see Jesus. The priest might give you a blessing.

 

[Savior2012]

It was explained to our congregation (by our Bishop) that we should ALL stand during communion. It is a show of our solidarity. Communion is not just about you and Jesus but being united with the community of believers. When Communion is over and the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the… er… what’s it called? Anyway, once communion is over you may kneel and commence with private prayer but during communion the community should wait for all to receive and be in ‘communion’ with one another, with Christ at the center.

I find private prayer, the part where you’re kneeling, is more me and Christ and less me, the congregation and Christ so I understand why the Bishop asked us to do this.

The other side of the coin is that some Catholics believe standing not kneeling is showing lack of reverence. In a protestant manner.

I have found traveling and locally, most Catholic churches kneel while and some stand, but it should be more monolithic nevertheless.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Move out of the way and let them pass.

Sound advice!

Best to just get out of their way.

Likely the ones who get FUMING MAD are the same ones who don’t return to their seats anyway - they “leave after they receive”!

We pray for you as you complete your preparation for Sacramental reception in the Catholic Church!