Why does communion make everyone so miserable

[Albany]

Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx

 

[Rico_S]

Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx

This past week our bishop gave a homily about how Pope Benedict wrote that “alleluia” has no translation…it is simply a verbalization of incredible joy. It is sort of akin to an english “Wow!!”, not really a word, but something that conveys a feeling—in this case joy!

I had a simiar thought as you looking out among the congregation then and throughout the remainder of the mass. It struck me how there is very little evidence of “joy” in the celebration of mass that I see.

 

[Cathryn]

I don’t see miserable people. I see a wide range of apparent feelings. Personally, I can’t wait to go to Holy Communion, it is the highlight of my day.

 

[Albany]

Thanks Rico I didn’t know that about the alleluia its quite nice that it means joy.

And good it know someone else has noticed the depression from the pews.

Cathryn I’m with you I so happy to receive communion I meant the whole mass everyone is so down and when they walk back from communion they look totally depressed.
I just dont know why???

Jesus please bring everyone joy

A
XX

 

[Uriah_Betrayed]

It’s been about seven years since I entered a Catholic Church, but I don’t recall such poor spirits among those receiving the Eucharist.

Of course I personally felt miserble every time I had to sit in the pews while the rows emptied with people going for the Eucharist simply because I knew I commited a sin before hand and should not partake.

Partly why I stopped attending, why spent time somewhere that only feeds your depression?

 

[LittleSoldier]

Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx

Are you sure it’s “funeral” music and not solemn music? I’m asking because I can remember when Masses were in Latin and we often used Gregorian Chant. That can appear to be somewhat sombre but it’s really very serious and respectful to God. I was the organist at our parish church and so I went to a lot of ceremonies like Stations of the Cross and I loved Gregorian Chant and miss it sometimes.

I don’t think they play music during Communion at my church. But the music before and after is either joyous or sad, depending on the time of year and other factors (sad music on Good Friday, joyous music on Easter).

I live in a small town. We share our priest with another parish. We have one priest for two parishes. So we have one Mass on Saturday evening and one on Sunday (and two during the week). The Saturday evening Mass is what some would call a “folk Mass.” There is keyboard, guitars, violin, flute, etc. I don’t want to say the music is always joyous because that’s not true and I don’t quite know how to say what I’m thinking. I guess I can say the music touches my soul. It is always respectful. When we are in the middle of Lent the music fits (Were you there when they Crucified my Lord?). On Easter the music is joyous.

On Sunday the music is blah. The choir can’t even pronounce words like “Cherubim” properly, the instruments are out of tune, and I have to admit that I don’t like it.

But then some people dislike the music on Saturday evening.

I think it depends on the individual parish as to which type of music is used. Are all the Masses you attend like this? That seems to be very sad because the Mass is a celebration and should be treated as such.

It can go too far in either direction. Several years ago I attended Mass and I’m not kidding - the recessional was a polka. A polka. I was so embarrassed.

 

[wasserfall]

It’s been about seven years since I entered a Catholic Church, but I don’t recall such poor spirits among those receiving the Eucharist.

Of course I personally felt miserble every time I had to sit in the pews while the rows emptied with people going for the Eucharist simply because I knew I commited a sin before hand and should not partake.

Partly why I stopped attending, why spent time somewhere that only feeds your depression?

Why didn’t you just go to confession?

 

[Cristiano]

Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx

Is it possible that people are simply in a state of awe?

 

[nickybr38]

I often have to fight tears after communion.

I understand that many people are overwhelmed with JOY but I am often just overwhelmed.

Christ died and suffered for ME. I suppose this should flood me with joy but I’m still processing. I still can’t believe it. Why ME? I’m a horrible, miserable, ungrateful human being. Why on EARTH did HE suffer for ME?

It’s just not something that I can wrap my head around.

I am so sorry that my shock and sorrow is causing you problems. I just can’t fake a smile when my soul, heart and mind is bowed down before God.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx

Could it be that the mass is simply solemn and respectful, and that the problem is in your own subjective appreciation of the situation?

 

[Cathryn]

Maybe you are misinterpreting profound respect and prayer for miserableness. When I watch a Papal Mass on TV and see Holy Communion being given, the people don’t look much different than the people in my parish. It is a profound, solemn moment when we share the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. We share in His life, death, and resurrection. Many may not understand the theology behind it, but most Catholics know that this is a serious and prayerful time. Don’t confuse this with depression and miserableness. I think this is a good sign for the Church. We still know that something profoundly important is going on.

 

[Theophorus]

Hey all,

At all the churches were i live (scotland) whenever its time for communion they always play awful funeral music and everyone looks really depressed when they go for and come back from communion.
Its like its a sin to smile.
I don’t know whats going on with everyone I just wish church was a more happy occassion.
Sometimes i hate going, I know i shouldn’t say that but its true cause the whole mass is always so depressing.

How are the masses where you all are from??

Albany
xxx

I never felt that way when I lived in Scotland, mind you I never lived in the Central belt but seriously. My parish always had lovely appropriate music accompanied by the organ, what kind of tunes were you thinking of?

The other factor is that poor catechises(not limited to Scotland of course) means that there are those who don’t realise the enormity of what we recieve and the joy it should bring.

 

[Albany]

No i dont think its about awe or respect I think where im from its like just expected to act that way in church.

mass equals depression.

i just wish it could be a happier occasion.

and im totally no expert in anything but I think Jesus would want communion to be joyous and I think He’d love to see more people smile.
just my opinion though.

also littlesoilder it is probably soloem music it just sounds depressing thats why i called it funeral music lol

Albany
XX

 

[nickybr38]

No i dont think its about awe or respect I think where im from its like just expected to act that way in church.

mass equals depression.

i just wish it could be a happier occasion.

and im totally no expert in anything but I think Jesus would want communion to be joyous and I think He’d love to see more people smile.
just my opinion though.

also littlesoilder it is probably soloem music it just sounds depressing thats why i called it funeral music lol

Albany
XX

… do you think Jesus would have wanted people laughing and singing with joy at the foot of His cross? Really?

 

[LittleSoldier]

It’s been about seven years since I entered a Catholic Church, but I don’t recall such poor spirits among those receiving the Eucharist.

Of course I personally felt miserble every time I had to sit in the pews while the rows emptied with people going for the Eucharist simply because I knew I commited a sin before hand and should not partake.

It’s only when one has committed a mortal sin that one cannot receive the Eucharist. It’s best to not sin at all but we do.

Partly why I stopped attending, why spent time somewhere that only feeds your depression?

If people receiving the Eucharist feeds one’s depression one should try to find out why and take measures to stop the depression - measures that don’t go against Church teaching. We’re supposed to attend Mass. If a Mass feeds one’s depression it is the responsibility of the person to find out what is going on in his/her mind and fix it and then get back to Mass.

Believe me, I understand as I struggle with the same problem and spoke to my priest about it. He told me that I should attend Mass when I could and receive the Eucharist but that it was my responsibility to find out why I felt depressed at Mass and if I did not do so I would be committing a grave act by not attending. I still don’t have the complete answer but I am surely trying to find it. And now when I am able to attend Mass (there are physical problems that make it difficult to attend every week) I am filled with joy when I receive the Eucharist.

I thought I was the only person in the world who became depressed at Mass!

 

[bmullins]

I usually am in too much awe and appreciation of what I’ve just received to be looking around to see everyone’s facial expression. I do know this, while the Eucharist is a joyful moment… it’s also one of sadness. Especially when we consider that the cross is being made present to us, it’s right there before us… and it’s not for his sins, but ours. So yes, it’s joyful that we are being forgiven! That each person in that room who is receiving the Eucharist is having their sins forgiven and life itself is entering their bodies… But there is always sadness too at the cross. Sadness that it came to that.

So I guess my face would probably be a mixture of the two, a joy, but a solemness as well. Usually some tears too if I’m honest. As I return to my kneeling on the floor and begin to ponder seriously what has just occurred, and what it means… and how am I going to share that with the world when I leave this room?

 

[Albany]

… do you think Jesus would have wanted people laughing and singing with joy at the foot of His cross? Really?

Hi Nicky,

No babes of course i dont think Jesus would have wanted people laughing at his cross but I’m not standing two thousand years ago at the foot of his cross. I’m in a mass to celebrate his sacrafice for the world and dont think He would want me or anyone to be down at the thought of it.
Respect is one thing but when people cant find joy in the eucharist then we should all be worried.

Just my opinion though.

A
xx

 

[LittleSoldier]

I often have to fight tears after communion.

I understand that many people are overwhelmed with JOY but I am often just overwhelmed.

Christ died and suffered for ME. I suppose this should flood me with joy but I’m still processing. I still can’t believe it. Why ME? I’m a horrible, miserable, ungrateful human being. Why on EARTH did HE suffer for ME?

It’s just not something that I can wrap my head around.

I am so sorry that my shock and sorrow is causing you problems. I just can’t fake a smile when my soul, heart and mind is bowed down before God.

It seems that it is a bit more complicated than:
(1) Jesus died for me.
(2) Now I can go to Heaven.
(3) I am so happy!

I think everyone goes through a time (and probably many times) when he/she realizes that Jesus died for HIM (or HER). It’s very serious and solemn and holy and sacred. That realization is something everyone should have. Our souls, hearts, and minds *should *be bowed down before God, whether in sadness because we know how He suffered horribly or in joy because we know He did it because He loves us. For me, it’s a combination of the two. Tears of joy mixed with tears of sadness. I always cry when I receive the Eucharist and want to die right then and there.

Please remember that He did it because He loves us that much. His love is cause for celebration. His giving of Himself is cause for celebration. Yet we should never forget that He suffered.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

No i dont think its about awe or respect I think where im from its like just expected to act that way in church.

mass equals depression.

i just wish it could be a happier occasion.

and im totally no expert in anything but I think Jesus would want communion to be joyous and I think He’d love to see more people smile.
just my opinion though.

also littlesoilder it is probably soloem music it just sounds depressing thats why i called it funeral music lol

Albany
XX

Well, I haven’t seen the actual liturgies you are describing so I can’t make my own judgment on whether the music and attitude of people are really as macabre as all that. However, if you lived in the other Albany I think you might have a better appreciation of how shallow, crass, and banal the liturgy can become when liturgists try to make the mass more “upbeat” and “accessible.”

 

[nickybr38]

Hi Nicky,

No babes of course i dont think Jesus would have wanted people laughing at his cross but I’m not standing two thousand years ago at the foot of his cross. I’m in a mass to celebrate his sacrafice for the world and dont think He would want me or anyone to be down at the thought of it.
Respect is one thing but when people cant find joy in the eucharist then we should all be worried.

Just my opinion though.

A
xx

I think you are making quite the judgment. For some people joy is quiet. For some people joy is not visible. All of those solemn faces might be hiding more joy then you could imagine.

Now, if you see me at Mass I AM sorrowful and fighting tears but there are many who are simply quiet in their joy and not expressing it how we would understand it.

I have not met ANYONE, besides myself and my sister, who do NOT experience joy at Mass and at communion… so I can only presume that you are making unfair judgments based only on how people look and not on what is going on inside their heart.