Why is the Mass the way it is?

[jnderose]

I am a lukewarm Methodist who has found himself being drawn to the Catholic Faith. I began attending Mass about a month ago and have a few questions as to the general behavior. ** Let me please clarify that I mean absolutely no disrespect with these questions**, it is just things that have been bugging me a little and I am sure there are explanations and also I am sure that things are just a little different between Protestant and Catholic services.

1. Why does a large amount of people leave following the eucharist when there is about 20 minutes of the serve yet to go, and no one seems to find it odd?
2. Why are there so many crying, yelling, and disorderly children all around? Is there a nursery, or crying room, or is it just the parents?
3. Is it considered okay to simply stay knelt the entire service in prayer?

Thank you for your answers and I look forward to futher discussion about the Mass itself. Etc… Why it is the way it is…Things former protestants have noticed, how they have dealt with the differences and things they have discovered that they once were freaked out by and now love. Any discussion would be great, thanks in advance. God Bless

 

[Aureole]

Welcome to the CA forums jnderose. I hope you find it helpful here; God grant you the answers you seek.

1. My guess is that they’re in a hurry to leave. Leaving after the Eucharist is odd and I’m sure many in the parish do find it odd but are quiet about it. After the dismissal is when people ought to leave; before then is like leaving a movie early. (A poor analogy since a movie is nothing in comparison to the Mass but hopefully you find what I’m trying to convey)
2. There could very well be a crying room or nursery. Typically I would like to think the parents bring their children to the Mass in order to allow the children to participate fully in the mystery of the Eucharist. A crying room or nursery, to me, doesn’t cut it. In reality it’s probably very different. In sum, I guess it depends on the parish. If there’s a crying room, you’re bound to have parents use it.
3. Uniformity of posture during the Mass is quite important. Sitting when others are sitting is general practice and the same thing applies to all postures. The Mass is a Liturgy and things are fairly regulated. However, I don’t think you’ll find many who outright object to kneeling throughout the Liturgy, though some may politely mention the uniformity of posture. Someone else could possibly bring up Church documents on this (I’m not terribly familiar with the G.I.R.M. and it may say that you have to do things the way they are).

Anyway, hope it helps. Feel free to ask any questions that may arise.

 

[Trelow]

I was once a Methodist as well. Come on home!

1.) This is the exception, not the norm. I have only been to two parishes where this happens regularly, and both places are infested with moral relativism.

2.) We worship as a family. At times the children can be distracting, but as our Lord said in the reading this morning, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” Some parishes have cry rooms, most don’t. That said, if the child is 7 he/she should be participating as the adults, and if they are over 4 they need to be learning how too. Most people will take a crying child to the foyer or such as to not distract.

3.) No. usccb.org/liturgy/girm/ Here you will find all the prescribed positions.

Nick Alexander has a song, “Should I stand or Should I Kneel”, yes, it’s a Clash parody. I related immensely, and I’m sure you will too.

 

[SeekerJen]

1. Why does a large amount of people leave following the eucharist when there is about 20 minutes of the serve yet to go, and no one seems to find it odd?

Most of us find it rude. It is generally considered very rude. Our priests even give a reminder to the parish every so often that it is rude to God and everyone in the church to leave before Mass ends.

1. Why are there so many crying, yelling, and disorderly children all around? Is there a nursery, or crying room, or is it just the parents?

Some of it is that the parish might not have a nursery. Some parishes do. Another thing is that babies and children are generally accepted at Mass- they are usually baptized Christians just as the adults are, and the Mass is their rightful place, even if they are fidgeting or fussing. Third, some parents simply don’t want to deal with kids who are throwing temper tantrums, throwing toys, running around kicking things, pulling hair, etc., and expect everyone to just appreciate little Suzy or Junior for his innocent, unrestrained self. Unfortunately this is symptomatic of society as a whole.

1. Is it considered okay to simply stay knelt the entire service in prayer?

I have no idea. I don’t see this very often. Full participation in the Mass (which I would think includes postures) is strongly encouraged.

Thanks for your interest and questions! Since you’re interested in other convert stories, might I suggest some of Scott Hahn’s books? He was a former Protestant minister (from a Calvinist background) who was led to the Catholic Church through his studies. He now teaches theology at one of our nation’s top Catholic universities (Franciscan). So far I’ve only read “The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth”, which parallels the book of Revelation with the Mass. It was a terrific read, and I highly recommend it.

 

[kaj3]

Welcome, jnderose. I agree with pp, just wanted to add a couple of additional discussion points. Regarding your first two questions, I would venture a guess that you may unfortunately be encountering lukewarm Catholics.

People should not leave without good reason before the priest recesses out of the sanctuary. Some of this is likely due to the culture of the parish. For instance, I know of two parishes in my dioceses where most or all parishoners kneel for a few minutes to pray directly after the priest recesses, and very few, if any, people leave after receiving the Eucharist.

As far as unruly children. Young children under 4 will be…young children under 4. IMO, disorderly children should be taken to the back of the church if there is no crying room. If children 4+ are misbehaving, they are most likely not being catechised properly by their parents. It can be very distracting.

It would not be correct to kneel during the entire Mass. My understanding is that one of the reasons we have different postures is to put emphasis on certain parts of the Mass. For instance, standing during the Gospel reading, but not during the old and new testament readings allows the words and teachings of Jesus to stand out. And we are being most reverent when we kneel during the Eucharist prayers because it is during this time that our Lord is made truly present to us in the Eucharist. In fact, some churches still have an altar rail where the faithful will kneel when receiving Communion. To kneel through the whole Mass does not allow emphasis for the change that takes place when the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am a lukewarm Methodist who has found himself being drawn to the Catholic Faith. I began attending Mass about a month ago and have a few questions as to the general behavior. Let me please clarify that I mean absolutely no disrespect with these questions, it is just things that have been bugging me a little and I am sure there are explanations and also I am sure that things are just a little different between Protestant and Catholic services.

1. Why does a large amount of people leave following the eucharist when there is about 20 minutes of the serve yet to go, and no one seems to find it odd?
2. Why are there so many crying, yelling, and disorderly children all around? Is there a nursery, or crying room, or is it just the parents?
3. Is it considered okay to simply stay knelt the entire service in prayer?

Thank you for your answers and I look forward to futher discussion about the Mass itself. Etc… Why it is the way it is…Things former protestants have noticed, how they have dealt with the differences and things they have discovered that they once were freaked out by and now love. Any discussion would be great, thanks in advance. God Bless

1. They are following the example of one of the apostles, Judas.
2. Baptized children are full members of the parish community and have a right to be there. However parents should intervene when they are disruptive.
3. No, because various postures are for diferent purposes and the Mass is the gathering of the faithful in community for worship and liturgy, not in private prayer.

 

[Kielbasi]

.

1. Why does a large amount of people leave following the eucharist when there is about 20 minutes of the serve yet to go, and no one seems to find it odd?

My theory, which is not necessarily held by the Catholic Church.

Pre-vatican II , the rule was that Catholics were to be present at Sunday mass, at the minimum from the Offertory through the priest’s communion. During that era, sometimes minimalist Catholics would head for the exits early.

This habit has continued, and even expanded since then in some places.

But the difference is that era, most Catholics did not present themselves for communion at Mass on most Sundays, and that was even some of the more devout Catholics.

It is certainly peculiar and contradictory, that in one moment a Catholic would perform an act of the greatest piety in receiving communion, and a few seconds later cut out early, which is anything but

 

[Faith1960]

I am a lukewarm Methodist who has found himself being drawn to the Catholic Faith. I began attending Mass about a month ago and have a few questions as to the general behavior. ** Let me please clarify that I mean absolutely no disrespect with these questions**, it is just things that have been bugging me a little and I am sure there are explanations and also I am sure that things are just a little different between Protestant and Catholic services.

1. Why does a large amount of people leave following the eucharist when there is about 20 minutes of the serve yet to go, and no one seems to find it odd?
2. Why are there so many crying, yelling, and disorderly children all around? Is there a nursery, or crying room, or is it just the parents?
3. Is it considered okay to simply stay knelt the entire service in prayer?

Thank you for your answers and I look forward to futher discussion about the Mass itself. Etc… Why it is the way it is…Things former protestants have noticed, how they have dealt with the differences and things they have discovered that they once were freaked out by and now love. Any discussion would be great, thanks in advance. God Bless

Welcome! As for questions one and two, if you’ve been reading the “Mass no no’s” thread you can probably figure out the answer on your own.
As for question number three I’m not sure but I don’t think it’s okay.

 

[Faith1960]

Welcome to the CA forums jnderose. I hope you find it helpful here; God grant you the answers you seek.

1. My guess is that they’re in a hurry to leave. Leaving after the Eucharist is odd and I’m sure many in the parish do find it odd but are quiet about it. After the dismissal is when people ought to leave; before then is like leaving a movie early. (A poor analogy since a movie is nothing in comparison to the Mass but hopefully you find what I’m trying to convey)
2. There could very well be a crying room or nursery. Typically I would like to think the parents bring their children to the Mass in order to allow the children to participate fully in the mystery of the Eucharist. A crying room or nursery, to me, doesn’t cut it. In reality it’s probably very different. In sum, I guess it depends on the parish. If there’s a crying room, you’re bound to have parents use it.
3. Uniformity of posture during the Mass is quite important. Sitting when others are sitting is general practice and the same thing applies to all postures. The Mass is a Liturgy and things are fairly regulated. However, I don’t think you’ll find many who outright object to kneeling throughout the Liturgy, though some may politely mention the uniformity of posture. Someone else could possibly bring up Church documents on this (I’m not terribly familiar with the G.I.R.M. and it may say that you have to do things the way they are).

Anyway, hope it helps. Feel free to ask any questions that may arise.

Our cry room is roomy, well ventilated, has good sound and usually empty. Even when the door is left wide open.

 

[Caesar]

Welcome jnderose!

If you want a beautiful, reverant and very Catholic Mass, try going to a Tridentine Mass (especialy a Solemn High Mass if possible).

 

[Faith1960]

Welcome jnderose!

If you want a beautiful, reverant and very Catholic Mass, try going to a Tridentine Mass (especialy a Solemn High Mass if possible).

Caesar, how can I find Masses like that in my area? I have a link to The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis website but I can’t seem to find information on this.

 

[SORROWS]

Hello,

I just wanted to add that leaving early from Mass especially right after the Euchrist is wrong. Unless there is a valid reason it is disrespectful. One thing I noticed though, the same people do it week after week. I’m glad you are aware of this and hopefully one day you will be one of the Catholic Church’s models of Holiness.

Regarding babies and little children, some parents really do try to quiet the children and in time they will be well behaved during Mass. Unfortunately, there are some parents who lack this ability and it can be distracting and hard to hear the Priest. I try to sit in the front pews so I don’t miss any part of this wonderful service.

Blessings,
Sorrows