writing during mass?

[Joannm]

I bring my journal to Mass and if something strikes me I write it down. Too often I say I will remember something and then after Mass it completely slips my mind and I either have to track down the priest or ask someone else if they remember what was said (most often they don’t). Also my biggest inspirations from the Lord come to me during Mass and I am compelled to write them down. We have a man in our parish who receives locutions during mass and types them into his smart phone. I see nothing wrong with it. It’s not that we are not listening, it is just that something important is being said and we want to remember it.

 

[James_Miller]

I think gh4 meant join a religious order where they write the sermon and take notes during meditions. I did not think he meant join another religion.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I can only comment as a writer here and as a Catholic poet:
*
As inspired as I might become during the Mass, I simply would not pick up pen and paper until afterward, feeling that the attention should not be about my reactions to what is happening around me, but to The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.*

To believe in that Holy Presence is to be in awe, and because of that, my pen would fall from my hands as surely as my knees bend in worship and my eyes open and close moving from praise to prayer.

And so , I will pray about this further:

:yup::clapping:

Exactly this. We have all gone quite astray when we assume that this lady was jotting down small notes on the homily but otherwise paying attention. No, for a priest to actually ask her to leave the sanctuary or not return unless she is ready to participate, I believe she must be writing in a way that shows she is obviously in a world of her own, not participating and not paying attention to the Mass. Composing poetry takes a concentration of its own. Her friend says this flows from her spirit. Perhaps, but if so, then it can flow at another time and place. It is not her show, not her venue, not a writing workshop.

The whole thing just comes across as very odd to me, like this person is into private revelations even during the Holy Mass. Odd. Very odd.

 

[PatriceA]

:yup::clapping:

Exactly this. We have all gone quite astray when we assume that this lady was jotting down small notes on the homily but otherwise paying attention. No, for a priest to actually ask her to leave the sanctuary or not return unless she is ready to participate, I believe she must be writing in a way that shows she is obviously in a world of her own, not participating and not paying attention to the Mass. Composing poetry takes a concentration of its own. Her friend says this flows from her spirit. Perhaps, but if so, then it can flow at another time and place. It is not her show, not her venue, not a writing workshop.

The whole thing just comes across as very odd to me, like this person is into private revelations even during the Holy Mass. Odd. Very odd.

To me, it smacks of someone full of pride or boastfulness. Both of which we are to avoid as Catholics.

 

[SecretGarden]

Pride because someone writes. Give me a break. Pride and writing has nothing to do with each other. The woman writes only when she is inspired. The point of the question was: is writing during mass alright? Ex communication with God through her writing, writing poetry and sermon notes etc.

 

[gh4]

So you are going to let those who disagree with you chase you out of the Church just because a few people on an internet forum out of a billion Catholics in the whole world don’t like something? Don’t let others walk around in your head. They have no authority whatsoever over you.

No, probably not. But I’m still hurting from the terrible pain from the icky Cursillo experience and seem to be a bit touchier than normal, and I’ve not been to mass since Cursillo, can’t walk in that church yet, and there is no other church close. And then there is always the lack of anything but mass at our church, meaning no real fellowship. So, I’m going through some really tough times right now, please bear with me.

Today I spent the entire day at the local Holdeman Mennonite Church here in town quilting with the women. I do this once a month. I’m also invited many times to share meals with different families and have been to their church on Sundays as well as other times when they have some really interesting guest speakers. I ALWAYS come home from being with them feeling like I have just spent time with truly Christian people who are so full of love and caring and concern for others. When you compliment them, they always give God the credit. They are modest and just good and just very wonderful to be around. Hey, if you think we’ve got it bad for confession, they do PUBLIC confession in church with EVERY MEMBER listening to their sins.
When I look at their church, I can’t find Jesus though, I mean , no Jesus on a cross, no cross, no tabernacle. I don’t find Jesus as I am used to finding him. But believe me, he’s in the people. And while I am not 100% aligned with their beliefs, if I were I would be a Mennonite, I do think they have much of it totally right! But I’m not, so I’ll be Catholic, and maybe they will make me be a better person for having been around them and having learned from them. I sure do wish most Catholics were more like these women and their husbands.

And on that note, I let this go. Write in church, or not, doesn’t matter to me. I will write in church or not as I feel like it. But you know, if someone doesn’t agree with me or you or the next guy, let it go. Take care of your own soul and your own life and lead it as you feel you should. That’s what I’m going to do. Please, just keep out of others business and let them deal with their life as they must.

Have a blessed day and rest of the week, I’m going to try my hardest to do that.

Oh,

S
In my opinion, anyone who is so inspired to write religious poetry during that part of Mass is probably far more engaged with Christ at the moment than most of the people there. People are always talking about worshipping as a community, yet these forums are full of people who talk about “my time with Jesus” and how they don’t like to be interrupted during their time by crying babies, people wishing to give the sign of peace, or someone offering a hand to them during the Our Father. I don’t get it.

I totally agree with this.

 

[gh4]

I think gh4 meant join a religious order where they write the sermon and take notes during meditions. I did not think he meant join another religion.

nope, I was thinking more along the lines of a totally different religion!!! But it’s not about to happen. A moment of anger and words out of my mouth that really shouldn’t have been said. Please forgive me for that.

 

[GwenL]

People here are the most amazing mind readers! You read one post about a person’s friend and make all kinds of judgments. She’s not paying attention, she’s not worshipping communally, she’s irreverent, she’s interfering with the Mass. One person even concluded that she must have been distracting because the priest was distracted enough to kick her out.

Read the original post again carefully

I know she has been kicked out of one church because the priest doesn’t like her writing. Apparently people have complained about it, so the priest’s way of handling it was telling her to either refrain from writing or don’t attend mass.

The priest (supposedly) kicked her out because people complained about it. Busybodies like many of you, who have decided that she’s not worshipping worthily enough to sit next to you. People who have some “image” of what the proper worshiper looks like, and how someone should be projecting an attitude of respect and reverence with body language and facial gestures that meet approval. Give me a break.

Here is my suggestion. At Mass, mind your own business. Assume the best of others rather than the worst. Don’t try to compare her situation with your own, because it’s not. These posts are full of people telling “if I were writing…” “when I am at Mass…” “I could not pay attention and write…” etc etc. etc. Guess what folks? You are not her.

If she is writing quietly, there is no problem. If she is making noise that distracts, that is wrong. If she is waving her journal around, showing it to other people, or some other silliness, that is wrong. If she is quietly writing, and it bothers you, try looking the other way and focusing on the Mass.

 

[TrueLight]

To me, it smacks of someone full of pride or boastfulness. Both of which we are to avoid as Catholics.

I think it’s more likely that someone might have asked where what she is always writing in that notebook and she, thinking that the person was genuinely interested, while harboring no ill will , told her that she writes poetry as she is inspired.

Then that person told a friend and that friend told a friend, and so on and so on (just like a bad shampoo commercial).

There is no way that someone would guess she’s writing poetry.

If the priest kicked her out for that, there is a lot more going on then we know about.

 

[mab23]

**as long as she is going to mass and getting the Message

I think its fine, i mean as long as she is not sitting in the front being distracting - i would sit off to the side or in the back corner to keep from distracting other parishioners **

 

[mab23]

People here are the most amazing mind readers! You read one post about a person’s friend and make all kinds of judgments. She’s not paying attention, she’s not worshipping communally, she’s irreverent, she’s interfering with the Mass. One person even concluded that she must have been distracting because the priest was distracted enough to kick her out.

Read the original post again carefully

The priest (supposedly) kicked her out because people complained about it. Busybodies like many of you, who have decided that she’s not worshipping worthily enough to sit next to you. People who have some “image” of what the proper worshiper looks like, and how someone should be projecting an attitude of respect and reverence with body language and facial gestures that meet approval. Give me a break.

Here is my suggestion. At Mass, mind your own business. Assume the best of others rather than the worst. Don’t try to compare her situation with your own, because it’s not. These posts are full of people telling “if I were writing…” “when I am at Mass…” “I could not pay attention and write…” etc etc. etc. Guess what folks? You are not her.

If she is writing quietly, there is no problem. If she is making noise that distracts, that is wrong. If she is waving her journal around, showing it to other people, or some other silliness, that is wrong. If she is quietly writing, and it bothers you, try looking the other way and focusing on the Mass.

Couldn’t agree with you more! :clapping:

 

[Julia_Mae]

Her present pastor understands her writing and her unique connection with God. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Glad she found a parish home.

 

[Julia_Mae]

After reading this and other numerous threads about what goes on at Mass, I am convinced that every person entering the church building should be issued a pair of blinders like they use on horses, to keep them from being distracted by what others may or may not be doing during Mass. I may even go out and buy myself one of those old-fashioned sunbonnets with the long brims that cuts off your peripheral vision.

I’ve always thought there should be hooded robes in the Narthex, like Franciscans wear, but very lightweight and in a neutral color. Solves all the issues of modest dress, keeping the hood up during Mass blocks your view of your neighbors, and promotes a unity of worship. I’d make a few for myself and wear them all the time, but it’d be seen as weird or else people might think I’m in some order or something. Too bad.

 

[Julia_Mae]

I have a hard time believing that a priest would throw someone out who was quietly writing at Mass. First, he does not have that authority. A church is a public place. You can’t just “throw someone out” unless they are disturbing the peace, interfering with Mass, soliciting, harassing people, etc. Sitting in the pew writing doesn’t qualify, sorry. .

Catholic churches are NOT public places and any Pastor can eject anyone at any time for any reason HE deems fit.

The Parish is the last fiefdom.

 

[LilyM]

Very good question. Because of course, you have a play by play of every second of their lives and know everything they did.

In my Grandma’s day she had to memorize whole chapters of books word by word. In this day and age, do we have these skills of memorization?

Do you have a brilliant memory? Good for you. Not everyone does.

Apples and Pears.

Are you suggesting that there are things that Jesus wanted the Evangelists to write down that were in fact neglected due to the forgetfulness of said Evangelists?

Maybe an extra beatitude about ‘blessed are the writers, who are so dear to My heart that I allow them to write anywhere and anytime they like.’

Maybe an extra teaching about ‘Eternal woe and everlasting burnings upon those who dare to suggest that My beloved writers dare put down their pens when the muse hits, even for half an hour.’

I’m sure if some of the Saints DID journal during Mass at least one or two would’ve mentioned the fact that they did so. As I said, I know of none at all.

As for the brilliant memory thing - clearly you skipped the entire first section of my post - I talked about my own experience with poor memory due to ADD. Or else you just decided to ignore it - it wouldn’t do at all to hear an opinion you don’t agree with from someone who actually has an atrocious memory and so knows what she’s talking about, would it?

Yes, our grandparents memorized whole books. They had exactly the same number and type of braincells as you or I, exactly as capable of memory. And students today often still have to memorize large chunks of their texts, and can do so just as well as any who
studied 100 years ago. So as a species our memories are no better or worse now than they ever were.

I have to apologise for not reading your OP properly (darn ADD dont’cha know …) I didn’t realize that your friend’s past priest had nothing personal against her.

Mind you, when St Padre Pio’s superiors forbade him from saying Mass publicly for no especially good reason he didn’t value his personal spiritual gifts higher than the virtue of obedience. And considerable gifts they were too. What is more, he didn’t seek out another community where he would be allowed to do as he pleased. Instead he stayed, obeyed and waited. After a while the restriction was lifted.

 

[Irishgal49]

Do you honestly think all those Saints, particularly the evangelists, who wrote were all possessed of brilliant memories? Of course not. Yet somehow, some way, the Spirit managed to make sure they remembered everything that needed remembering - and for decades, not just the half an hour or so between the homily and the end of Mass. And THEN ensured that they were able to write it all down accurately when they wanted…

I think we can safely say that writing Gospels, Epistles, and other sacred writings for the Bible is a different ballgame that what most of us feel “led” to write. I do not understand why in the world is this a big deal? Her new priest is OK with it. If I want to write, I’ll write. If I want to daydream, I’ll daydream. If I want to participate I will, If I don’t I won’t. If you sit and twiddle your thumbs or listen to your IPOD who cares? That’s your problem and it’s between you and God. If someone wants to write their memoirs during mass I don’t give a ****, it’s your loss and it’s not my job to run your life. SHEESH–the liturgical police in here are stunning—it’s not enough she left her home parish and found a place where everyone is OK with it, it’s not enough that she might be suffering from hypergraphia (possible mental illness), she must do it YOUR way or else. I"ve written my way though masses and I’ve paid attention and at times I’ve ignored mass, all my choice with various repercussions to my soul, I’m sure. I couldn’t care less what YOU do during mass. Leave other people alone. Her new priest seems to be more compassionate and he’s good with it. I’m about ready to sit next to these whiners and write my way through mass.

 

[GwenL]

Catholic churches are NOT public places and any Pastor can eject anyone at any time for any reason HE deems fit.

The Parish is the last fiefdom.

Sorry, that is simply not true.

Ask your pastor. I have. He cannot eject someone without good reason. If they are disturbing the peace, yes.

 

[ProVobis]

We have a man in our parish who receives locutions during mass and types them into his smart phone.

There I would draw the line. What’s to prevent those around him from thinking he may be texting someone else for conversation? That would definitely be distracting IMO.

 

[TrueLight]

Are you suggesting that there are things that Jesus wanted the Evangelists to write down that were in fact neglected due to the forgetfulness of said Evangelists?

Maybe an extra beatitude about ‘blessed are the writers, who are so dear to My heart that I allow them to write anywhere and anytime they like.’

Sarcasm doesn’t become you.

You mentioned evangelists and Saints. It wasn’t my impression that you were only referring to the Saints who also happened to be Evangelists.

In any case, my point was not that God dictated scripture to them during mass. You just have no idea if they ever jotted anything down or not (those who knew how to write).

The truth is you have no good reason as to why it would be wrong for someone to jot something down during a homily.

It’s obviously pointless to have this discussion with you.

 

[TrueLight]

. If I want to participate I will, If I don’t I won’t. If you sit and twiddle your thumbs or listen to your IPOD who cares?

Listening to an iPod is a whole different ballgame. That would be disrespectful.