A lot of people do faint in the RCC...

[Michie]

I've seen more people go down in the RCC than any other Church I attended. I've always wondered why & then ran across this article.

And Out You Go: Why Fainting is So Common in Church

In my over 21 years as a priest and even longer in serving in some capacity at the Holy Liturgy I have seen more than a few people faint. Some just slump over, others go over with a real bang. Weddings are a big source of fainting spells but just about any long Mass can produce its share of a “lights out” experience. Last year I was serving as First Assistant Deacon for a Pontifical Solemn High Mass in the Basilica and prior to the Mass we predicted at least some one would pass out. It’s usually one of the torch bearers since they have to kneel on the marble for so long. Sure enough right at communion time, one of them went over, torch and all. It wouldn’t be a valid solemn High Pontifical Mass if at least one didn’t pass out!

I hope you don’t mind a “reprint” article, but I learned that a number of regular readers of this blog missed this article I wrote over about a year ago. Since today was a long one, I thought to reprint this older post, with summer weather setting in fainting spells are more common. Further, weddings are in full season. It might not be bad to re post this primer on fainting.

OK, so what’s going one here? Are people overwhelmed by the presence of God and then just “rest in the Spirit?” Well, that’s a fine thought and I perhaps I should just stop the article here out piety. However, beyond the this holy thought there are probably other explanations.

Continued- http://blog.adw.org/2011/06/and-out-you-go-why-fainting-is-so-common-in-church/

 

[Michie]

YouTube - ‪Funny video in Church‬‏

 

[thereselittleflower]

If you stand for longer periods of time, and lock your knees, you can restrict blood flow which can lead to passing out. You should always stand with your knees slightly bent . You learn this in particpation in groups such as choirs.

 

[Dylan Michael]

We've had a couple of people faint in my parish.
Luckily, our parish has copious amounts of nurses, both practicing and retired.

 

[Michie]

Our has nurses & doctors. What freaked me out though is how someone can plop in the aisle & the Mass just went on as if nothing happened. A convert expects action immediately!

Actually, nobody ever told me that the priests were trained to do that.

 

[AMDG]

Right in the middle of the reading (which he was giving) at my mother's funeral a few years back, my son passed out. We were all quite concerned (son's wife, his sisters, his dad and me) but the priest just brushed it off. He says that he's had both a bride and a groom pass out during Mass before.

 

[Michie]

Right in the middle of the reading (which he was giving) at my mother's funeral a few years back, my son passed out. We were all quite concerned (son's wife, his sisters, his dad and me) but the priest just brushed it off. He says that he's had both a bride and a groom pass out during Mass before.

I find the reaction of the priest so strange...

 

[AMDG]

I find the reaction of the priest so strange...

Well, under the circumstances of a funeral Mass where son's sisters were already in tears and I was completely "out of it", we needed one person to be calm. (Actually wife was a student nurse at the time and son just needed some air.)

 

[WarriorAngel]

My brother passed out in front of me.

I knew long ago, the nuns in school made sure we knew this - the Mass cannot stop except if someone is dying. And for them to receive Last Rites/Anointing of the Sick, otherwise, the Mass must continue onwards.

Usually a good soul helps... and priests are not doctors. Doctors have been available or nurses, so unless it is life threatening the priests are not supposed to stop.

Anyway - my brother hit the pew in front of him hard, and tho i saw it coming he was in front of me and i couldnt have caught him. It was a hot Palm Sunday Mass...during the long Gospel.

 

[Dylan Michael]

Actually, both times people fainted at mass, the priest kept on going as if nothing happened.

 

[epiclesis]

Yep... we've had people pass out at Mass before. Mostly Palm Sunday and Easter Vigil. I just thought my priest was being a little cold by not doing anything, but then I found out later that he couldn't. It makes a lot of sense, really... not much he can do unless someone IS dying. Especially when all that is going to happen is 911 being called anyway (possibly)...

Back when I was an altar server, I used to be on the verge of passing out often. Those cassocks get hot and i have a history of passing out and do easily. Locking the knees helps a lot.

 

[Michie]

Well I know people with panic & anxiety tend to faint. If the Church is crowded, that can really through those people off kilter.

 

[CruciFixed]

Fortunately I've never ever fainted in my life.

 

[tadoflamb]

Fortunately I've never ever fainted in my life.

I have twice. I pass out at the sight of blood.

 

[Dylan Michael]

I fainted when my mom scared when when I walked out of the bathroom.
I passed out when I decided to stay up for 36 hours...

 

[CruciFixed]

I have twice. I pass out at the sight of blood.

I'm not squeamish.

 

[VivaCristoRey]

I'm not squeamish.

Ironically, men seem to be more affected by the sight/smell of blood than women. I guess women get more used to it.

 

[CruciFixed]

Ironically, men seem to be more affected by the sight/smell of blood than women. I guess women get more used to it.

We'd better get used to the sight of blood pretty quick, I'd think! It comes around in large quantities each month for an average of 4-7 days.

 

[Michie]

A study I read said that women seem to have a higher threshold for pain. Our nuturing instincts take over also in situations concerning blood, etc.

And yes, we get used to it on a monthly basis.

 

[adajoy]

Strange to come on here and read this when recently a few weeks ago I fainted and had to have stitches, and I feared fainting again if I were to go to Mass... missed it recently since I've been recovering. I fainted in my house due to some health problems. Was scary!