Judas processing and other abhorrent behavior

[romaneagle13]

What do you all think of the habit that some people have of immediately leaving church directly after the Eucharist? You know, those people who go up, receive, and then walk back towards their pew, pass it and keep walking right out the door? I once heard someone refer to it as "Judas processing" (never knew there was a name for it). At the Catholic Church my parents attend, I saw this happen many times. And some of these people who left early were also guilty of strolling into church in the middle of the Gospel or Nicene Creed. I also saw quite a few young ladies and girls come to church in the summer in tank tops, halter tops and short shorts and flip-flops.

I personally am offended by this lack of respect. Do you all think that perhaps it is the duty of the pastor to speak out on such behavior and make it clear that this is not acceptable. The priests at my parents' church are much more concerned with money and politics from what I could tell by their sermons.

I don't notice this same disrespect in other Protestant churches. It seems to be that Catholics take this for granted, or are just no longer taught about the respectful behavior. What do you all think? Please bear in mind, I grew up Catholic and this thread is not meant to be insulting to Catholics by any means, but I am just commenting on a behavioral pattern that I have seen in numerous Catholic churches these days.

 

[Dream]

Leaving right after recieving the Eucharist is looked down upon. After one takes part in such a sacred event, they should at least take several moments of reflection.

 

[Paul S]

There's a story that St. Philip Neri, while celebrating Mass, had two altar boys with candles follow a woman who left early after receiving Communion, since she was a living tabernacle of Our Lord.

The Mass is not over until the priest says Ite, missa est and the reply Deo gratias is said. Even then, it's a good practice to spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for what has just occurred.

For the Sunday obligation to be fulfilled, one must be present from the Gospel to the priest's reception of Communion. However, one should be present for the whole Mass, unless there's a very good reason why a person is late or must leave early.

 

[romaneagle13]

There's a story that St. Philip Neri, while celebrating Mass, had two altar boys with candles follow a woman who left early after receiving Communion, since she was a living tabernacle of Our Lord.

The Mass is not over until the priest says Ite, missa est and the reply Deo gratias is said. Even then, it's a good practice to spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for what has just occurred.

For the Sunday obligation to be fulfilled, one must be present from the Gospel to the priest's reception of Communion. However, one should be present for the whole Mass, unless there's a very good reason why a person is late or must leave early.

Paul S, I fully agree. I guess as regards the Sunday obligation, some people just do the bare minimum. How sad that they cannot give their Lord a full hour. Perhaps the priest could give a sermon built around Matthew 26:40-41.

"And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak."

This gospel would be a good time to mention this in a homily, for I truly think that in modern times, this is what this passage means to us.

 

[Paul S]

This would be a wonderful sermon topic, but it might offend some people, so unfortunately many priests will avoid it.

We must pray.

 

[faerieevaH]

Paul S, I fully agree. I guess as regards the Sunday obligation, some people just do the bare minimum. How sad that they cannot give their Lord a full hour. Perhaps the priest could give a sermon built around Matthew 26:40-41.

"And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak."

This gospel would be a good time to mention this in a homily, for I truly think that in modern times, this is what this passage means to us.

*glares* Don't remind me of that one! Now... don't get me wrong... you're right and it's a great topic. Just..
Last year I had done great efforts to live very spiritually towards easter. I took a lot of time in Lent for prayer, and with the Holy week aproaching I was in Church nearly every day. I go to church in the Cathedral in Antwerp which is impossible to heat (both because of the size and because of the artworks). I wasn't feeling too well during that period and we had one of the coldest easters in memory. But I went... I was there... each day. And then on silent saturday, I knew there was adoration time after mass, but I felt so bad I had said to myself, I'll go home. I've gone to adoration yesterday, etc. I'll go home, go to bed. And then the bishop said: "and now, in remembrance of the words of our Lord 'can you not stay awake on hour and pray with me', we ask you all to join us in an hour of adoration..."

Guess who stayed? Guess who got ill? Went to the easter mass, then to bed and had to stay in for three days.

 

[Paul S]

Not staying for Adoration because you aren't feeling well is a valid excuse. Adoration itself is optional (although good) - Mass isn't.

There's nothing wrong with leaving right after Mass if you're ill, but there is something wrong with wanting to do the bare minimum because you prefer to be elsewhere.

 

[CeeBee]

No offense but I see bad behavior in both Catholic and Protestant churches around here. We need to pray.

 

[ThereseOfLisieux]

What do you all think of the habit that some people have of immediately leaving church directly after the Eucharist?

I don't see this much in my area, maybe I just don't happen to go to the parishes where it happens.

In the early 70's shortly after my father had been ordained to the Permanant Deaconate, he was assigned at a church where they had this problem, especially on Saturday evening at the vigil Mass. This went on for some time, and they discussed what might be done, and eventually the priest had an idea. The next Saturday evening, just after the concecration the priest said to the congregation "O.K. now if anyone needs to leave early, please go ahead an leave now." Nobody moved, but as all were leaving the church after Mass, many were complaining that there dinner was in the oven, and would be burned by the time they got home. The problem no longer existed after that.

I also saw quite a few young ladies and girls come to church in the summer in tank tops, halter tops and short shorts and flip-flops.

I just don't get this, are they brainless?

I personally am offended by this lack of respect. Do you all think that perhaps it is the duty of the pastor to speak out on such behavior and make it clear that this is not acceptable.

I think that this is a good thing to touch on in a homily. Also, if those who are doing it don't stop after it is mentioned to everyone, then the priest should speak to them privately. Yes, I do think the priest has a responsibility to put an end to this if it is happening on a regular basis.

 

[Caedmon]

What do you all think of the habit that some people have of immediately leaving church directly after the Eucharist? You know, those people who go up, receive, and then walk back towards their pew, pass it and keep walking right out the door? I once heard someone refer to it as "Judas processing" (never knew there was a name for it). At the Catholic Church my parents attend, I saw this happen many times. And some of these people who left early were also guilty of strolling into church in the middle of the Gospel or Nicene Creed. I also saw quite a few young ladies and girls come to church in the summer in tank tops, halter tops and short shorts and flip-flops.

I personally am offended by this lack of respect. Do you all think that perhaps it is the duty of the pastor to speak out on such behavior and make it clear that this is not acceptable. The priests at my parents' church are much more concerned with money and politics from what I could tell by their sermons.

I don't notice this same disrespect in other Protestant churches. It seems to be that Catholics take this for granted, or are just no longer taught about the respectful behavior. What do you all think? Please bear in mind, I grew up Catholic and this thread is not meant to be insulting to Catholics by any means, but I am just commenting on a behavioral pattern that I have seen in numerous Catholic churches these days.

I can let the dress and the late arrivals slip by, but there is no sense in leaving early. That is something that I cannot tolerate. Maybe you don't have anything good to wear that day. Maybe the kids refused to get out of bed. But leaving for no good reason before the priest says that mass is ended is ridiculous.