Leaving Right After Communion

[Michie]

And More on Mass Outside a Sacred Space



ROME, JULY 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).-

Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: Unfortunately some in the parish have developed the poor habit of leaving Mass immediately after Communion. I estimate around 30%, or approximately 225 people, leave early. Our church holds 750, so the disappearance is definitely noticeable. Could you provide a theological discourse on why this is not appropriate behavior? -- D.S., Port Charlotte, Florida

A: This is a perennial problem, but one which must be faced with patience, insisting, as St. Paul would say, "Opportune et inopportune" (in season and out of season), until the message reaches home.

Continued- http://www.zenit.org/article-23299?l=english

 

[Michie]

I've noticed several people that do this in my parish. Granted, they may have appointments & some are elderly & need to get out early. But I remember in RCIA it was said that that was a big no-no.

Then frosted it with the comment that Judas ws the first to leave Mass early.

 

[Angeldove97]

It annoys me when people do that--- I know that the Eucharist is probably THE focus of Mass, but I still think it's very rude when people leave like that. My ex-boyfriend who got me interested in the Catholic Church always did that--- his parents, both dedicated Catholics, never did that and so I took after them.

I so do enjoy having a final blessing and a song to sing after the Eucharist. I feel so blessed to be in church, I have no clue why people would want to run away from God like that. (And "to get out of the parking lot faster" is NOT a good reason)

 

[MichaelFJF]

Mass isn't over until the recessional hymn is finished.

 

[Michie]

How about those that come in during the Gospel reading ot shortly after?

I've noticed that also. But nothing was ever said in RCIA about that really.

All I remember is that one should get there early for prayer.

 

[MrJim]

Yeah I see 'em beatin feet out the door too...the Catholic Church I visit is pretty large though amazing to see how fast it empties out when all it done; folks ain't much for hangin' around for chitchat. I'm visiting this Sunday, takin' my oldest son along..

 

[BAFRIEND]

Before Vatican II it was traditional to leave right after receiving Communion, expected in fact. There was a reason for that, too. Although I do not wish to post it because my memory is vague as to why.

The debate remains on the proper etiquette.

 

[Michie]

Before Vatican II it was traditional to leave right after receiving Communion, expected in fact. There was a reason for that, too. Although I do not wish to post it because my memory is vague as to why.

The debate remains on the proper etiquette.

I read somewhere not too long ago that before Vatican II that it was not even required that you be there for liturgy of the Word. Just the offertory. Then you could scoot out as soon as you recieved communion.

 

[Michie]

Yeah I see 'em beatin feet out the door too...the Catholic Church I visit is pretty large though amazing to see how fast it empties out when all it done; folks ain't much for hangin' around for chitchat. I'm visiting this Sunday, takin' my oldest son along..

The RCC could definitely use some help in the fellowship arena imo.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

I read somewhere not too long ago that before Vatican II that it was not even required that you be there fot liturgy of the Word. Just the offertory. Then you could scoot out as soon as you recieved communion.

I heard something about it counted for Sunday obligation if you arrived in time to hear the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and you could receive Communion if you arrived before the Eucharistic Prayer started.

 

[AMDG]

Then frosted it with the comment that Judas ws the first to leave Mass early.

Ahh--"The Judas Shuffle".

I can't make multi-quotes, so I'll just address the Mass business before Vatican II.

Some overly legal person wanted to know how "late" for Mass one could be before officially being considered coming in "late" for Mass. So it was decided that one couldn't be considered "coming late" for Mass, if he/she was able to hear the Gospel being read.

And as far as leaving Mass early, no, it wasn't "expected" (although many people did then as now). At the end of Low Mass (that's the Mass most people remember before Vatican II) after Communion, the Post Communion antiphon, the Final prayers, and the Last Blessing were the Last Gospel (I believe it was actually the first chapter of John) and the prayers after Mass (three Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen and the St. Michael the Archangel prayers). Wouldn't have them if leaving after Communion was "expected" and if people weren't expected to remain until the prayers were all finished, then it would make the "lateness" mark in the Mass, much earlier.

 

[faithfulchild]

A priest in our parish had a talk about leaving early...

The question presented to the parishioners was...
Do you leave the dinner table before you have had your dessert?

Now granted not everybody has dessert with their meal. So the next question is...
Do we leave the table before we complete our meal?

 

[Caedmon]

This is but one of the dozens of questions that the Church has not yet produced a definitive and authoritative answer for.

I sure wish the administration in the Vatican would start handing down some definitive and authoritative answers through instruction by our local priests so we would actually know what to do in these circumstances.

Until priests start teaching, nothing will change.

 

[Fantine]

I think it depends on the area...and I think that some churches even count on it for traffic control.

When I go back home to the suburbs of NYC, mega-parishes will have Masses alternating between church and parish hall or school auditorium every half-hour during the "peak" times (9:00 to 11:30 or so.)

If a certain number of people didn't leave early the parking lots might not thin out in time.

Some people might have very real fears about leaving a parking lot while a few hundred people are trying to get in simultaneously with several hundred people trying to get out. When I was a little girl, my aunt used to park three blocks away from the church because she was afraid of the church parking lot.

Now that I no longer live in a mega parish in the suburbs of NYC, most people seem to stand around and chat after church--and there are the occasional dinners and breakfasts and picnics.

 

[plmarquette]

How come we as catholics seem to be doing god a favor to remain in church for 45 minutes , when our protestant brothers spend 1.5-3 hours in church on sundays?

How can we contend that we are the true christians when the looks on our face as we enter church display distress, oppression, frustration, and anger ....shouldn't we be happy at the opportunity rather than mad at the obligation?

 

[WarriorAngel]

Then frosted it with the comment that Judas ws the first to leave Mass early.

Hmm, i had not thot about that before.

I have left early [depending on something i just had to go to] but for the most part i love staying and letting ppl rush out before me.

Ahh--"The Judas Shuffle".

I can't make multi-quotes, so I'll just address the Mass business before Vatican II.

Some overly legal person wanted to know how "late" for Mass one could be before officially being considered coming in "late" for Mass. So it was decided that one couldn't be considered "coming late" for Mass, if he/she was able to hear the Gospel being read.

And as far as leaving Mass early, no, it wasn't "expected" (although many people did then as now). At the end of Low Mass (that's the Mass most people remember before Vatican II) after Communion, the Post Communion antiphon, the Final prayers, and the Last Blessing were the Last Gospel (I believe it was actually the first chapter of John) and the prayers after Mass (three Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen and the St. Michael the Archangel prayers). Wouldn't have them if leaving after Communion was "expected" and if people weren't expected to remain until the prayers were all finished, then it would make the "lateness" mark in the Mass, much earlier.

Pope Leo [i think it was] foresaw something that made him faint with fear [literally] and so he added the St Michael prayer to the end of Mass.
To protect the ppl and the Church.

And its a shame its gone. The Church is in the spot where Pope Leo foresaw...and sadly that prayer is so needed.

This is but one of the dozens of questions that the Church has not yet produced a definitive and authoritative answer for.

I sure wish the administration in the Vatican would start handing down some definitive and authoritative answers through instruction by our local priests so we would actually know what to do in these circumstances.

Until priests start teaching, nothing will change.

I dont know if this is true, i heard Mother Angelica say it years ago...
And i hear that the Pope forbids Communion in the hand, but in America its being ignored.

I think all Catholics should both receive Communion in the mouth and get their children to do so as well.

IF anyone has the words of the recent Popes about this, i would love to read it.

Americans need chatechised.

 

[jdemnyan]

Bottom line is this: It ain't over until it's over Ite Missa Est = Go, It is Finished.

I'm not sure about how it was done pre-VII (though I do recall that going to confession during what we would call the "liturgy of the Word" so that you could be free to receive Communion). However, what I do know is that Sacrosanctum Concilium requires the full, actual participation of the congregation during the liturgy. We are not merely spectators of some clerical ritual, but rather, as members of the Body of Christ, have a significant and proper role to play in the act of public worship- the Mass. Trying to see how late you can come in or how early you leave while fulfilling the Sunday obligation greatly diminishes that role!

 

[Caedmon]

Bottom line is this: It ain't over until it's over Ite Missa Est = Go, It is Finished.

True dat.

We are not merely spectators of some clerical ritual, but rather, as members of the Body of Christ, have a significant and proper role to play in the act of public worship- the Mass.

That's hard to believe when the priest is "performing" toward the "audience." It kind of reminds me of a magic act:

Priest: "Just a bit of prestidigitation ladies and gentlemen, and voila! Flesh and Blood ladies and gentlemen, actual Flesh and Blood!"
Parishioners: "Oooooh... Aaaaah..."

 

[Caedmon]

I think it depends on the area...and I think that some churches even count on it for traffic control.

When I go back home to the suburbs of NYC, mega-parishes will have Masses alternating between church and parish hall or school auditorium every half-hour during the "peak" times (9:00 to 11:30 or so.)

If a certain number of people didn't leave early the parking lots might not thin out in time.

Some people might have very real fears about leaving a parking lot while a few hundred people are trying to get in simultaneously with several hundred people trying to get out. When I was a little girl, my aunt used to park three blocks away from the church because she was afraid of the church parking lot.

Now that I no longer live in a mega parish in the suburbs of NYC, most people seem to stand around and chat after church--and there are the occasional dinners and breakfasts and picnics.

You know, I hear people use pragmatic arguments for doing this or doing that, and yet so much of Catholic practice is not convenient or practical at all. Sure, traffic control is good, but at what expense? Living your entire life without having participated in an entire mass? It seems like quite a shame to me. One of the parishes I frequented decided to build a multitiered parking garage, but they're fortunate enough to have the funding. I don't know what to suggest. There really is no good answer.