Reverence At Mass

[Dave]

Reverence at Mass

By Philip Ferguson

Courtesy of Our Lady's Warriors site (www.ourladyswarriors.org)

Scene: Patton enters field hospital somewhere in Europe during WW II. He is observed going from one injured GI to another. He turns and sees one man. His body is so wrapped – but not in swaddling clothes. Silence envelopes the scene.

While Patton approaches the battered man, he reverently removes his shiny helmet. Patton, a five star general, salutes a non-com. Jesus, the Son of God, salutes each of us – as each of us should bow to He Who Is. Each - an act of profound humility. Patton kneels at the side of this young man. He is struck with awe by the selfless sacrifice. Patton prays. No motion – Heaven and earth are suspended. In a few moments, Patton leans over to the young shattered GI and whispers something to him. We know not what. It matters little. The scene speaks volumes!

Reverence – Patton shows to the man. Reverence – what each one of us at Mass ought to demonstrate to Christ; profound and deeply sensed courtesy, a bow, that one person extends to another. Like gently embracing an infant – wrapped in swaddling clothes. Or two lovers - husband and wife - kissing in front of their children.

I’ve attended Mass at most Catholic churches in Boise. As I entered the House of God, I am oft-overwhelmed by a din almost too awful to bear. Instead of being able to quietly reverence, adore, and praise He Who Is, I hear – so loudly that it grates the ears of my soul and heart – chatter, the kind of banal verbal intercourse that one expects at a party. Nothing wrong with discussing events of the day with one another. But at the Event of Events? The centrality of Catholicism?

“This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah, 29:13)

There is a time and place for all things under the sun. For the celebration of the Mass, there is only that distinctive time to come and adore Him. I pine to enter His Home, untroubled by the outside world of abominable clatter. I desire to visit Him during the majesty of the Mass with a quietude and serenity that bespeaks that sacrament’s august nature. He is – ought to be – the central focus at Mass - not our friends. No! Him! “This is My Body…this is My Blood of the new covenant…”[italics added], (MT,26:26-28). Folks, Jesus is truly present, body and blood, soul and divinity at the consecration – the transubstantiation.

After we adoringly receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, do we have much time to reflect in our hearts the “…wonder at the God Thou art…”? (St. Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote). No! Seemingly, everyone, including the celebrant, is already in second gear and about to put it into third. We Westerners are so rushing busy in activities that we seldom take time to live. Not even with Jesus! Not even with Him!

Oh Thou our reminder of Christ crucified, Living Bread, the life of us for whom He died

(St. Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote, Tr: Fr. Gerard Manley Hopkins)

To be with Jesus, Cor ad Cor - heart to heart - ought to be my goal - at Mass and in my life. I and Thou, as Martin Buber would say. He, that most illustrious Jewish theologian, knelt before Yahweh as he wrote a book of that title. He hit the proverbial nail in emphasizing the personal relationship each person ought to have with Yahweh. “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I am.” (JN,8:58-59)

One hour of quiet serenity – is that too much to ask? He invites us to be with Him. How can we hear Him in our hearts when there is a cacophony before – during – after Mass?

Please – be quiet!

[Faithful heart]

Amen

[Katholikos]

In Rome, there is a sign -- SILENCE -- at the entrance of all Catholic Churches. So even the tourists who are there to look at the exquisite artwork know to keep quiet.

If Jesus were there, in the flesh, would we be chit-chatting? Well, He is!

"When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead." Rev 1:17

I hope the bishops of Idaho have read this! At some Catholic Churches in my city, you'd think you were at a pre-game football rally instead of Holy Mass. We're awaiting appointment of a new bishop. He's gonna get an earful from me!

Thanks for posting this.

Ave Cor Mariae, Katholikos

[marielapin]

This is something that Jared and I are very particular about.

I can understand fussy children but when the people behind you are talking about baking chocolate cake before Mass starts while I am trying to pray, I start to get a bit peeved.

I am seriously contemplating speaking to one of the priests about the undue amount of noise coming from adults (not children). Before, during, and especially after Mass.

[Dave]

In most of the churches I've been to, the problem isn't before Mass; it's after Mass when it erupts into a madhouse. And I have no room to talk; it's hard not to say hi to someone you know as you're coming out of Sunday Mass.

However, at the parish in my hometown, which I mainly only attend for daily Mass (I attend a parish in another town for Sunday Mass), I get really upset when people stand and talk after Mass instead of going outside. It's a small building, and the acoustics are such that you can hear all the conversations going on. After daily Mass I like to stay for a while and finish my thanksgiving after Communion(whereas for Sunday Masses so many more people are there, so I have more time to pray after Communion but before Mass ends). But do the fellow daily Mass-goers seem to care? NO!!!! I'd like to either complain to the pastor or just go "SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" But I doubt the latter would go over too well.

[Anna]

Before my husband became a Catholic, the rabble at the end of Mass came as a real shock to him. I remember him remarking with astonishment, "So, this must be what they mean by 'Mass Exodus!'" Yeah, the folks were just rushing to get out the door, some leaving immediately after Communion, and those who took the time to wait for the final blessing, yacking loudly...

I think there's one good way to combat this: Always remain behind in silent adoration of, and in reparation to, Our Lord.

Just remain kneeling, with your face buried in a prayer book, or looking downward, even keeping your eyes closed. People will soon learn not to come up to you as you seem to praying real hard about something....

It'll take a while, but I think some need to do this, for all the disgregard Our Lord endures even during the Holy Sacrifice.

My kids aren't angels, I assure you. They're often eager to run and greet classmates they've noticed in attendance at Mass. But, first, before exiting our pew, we must kneel as a family, and pray the Saint Michael prayer. (I think it's especially hard for kids, when even the grownups are gabbing loudly!)

Besides hopefully bearing fruit one day in increased reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and the Mass, it gives the present advantage of having the little friends reach the outdoors before my kids begin visiting. When we exit, many of the parishoners are still outside visiting, and I'll stay as long as they wish to socialize...but not in Our Lord's Presence!

The King's court doesn't chatter when the King is upon His throne.

My final observation is that this conduct is directly due to poor formation.

Especially those in Lay Ministry should be setting an example of piety and reverence. Yet it often seems that they're too wrapped up in their sense of self-importance to pay much heed to the GIRM, the rubrics, traditional observances of silence, etc...It's as if they think they're above the observances the rest of us should follow. Hence, practically no one follows these observances.

Pax Christi. <><

[JP2Iloveyou]

I would just recommend to always respond in Christian charity. This happened at a parish I went to daily Mass at. There was a lady who was always "SSSSSSSSHHHHHH" ing other people. Truth be told, they probably needed to hear it. However, the way she did it, all the way across the chapel, accomplished more harm than good. I don't know about the rest of you, but I can tune out people talking, but when someone goes SSSSSHHHHHH real loud, it is very distracting. On top of that, she was being overcome by her anger, and was probably leading others to anger towards her. I say, just tune it out. Maybe ask the priest to preach on proper reverence in a church some Sunday. In other words, there are bigger fish to fry in my book.

[Aloysius]

yeah i too am annoyed by this

my plan.. i guess i should try to get it approved by someone or something, but maybe ill just do it

go up to the fornt, take the microphone, and without any "may i have ure attention" or anything like that, just go right into the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.. "Let the whole of Mankind tremble, the whole world shake and the heavens exalt, when Christ, the son of the living God, is present on the altar in the hands of a priest..." it's always on b4 mass on EWTN. i love that prayer.

i think that would make an impact. if ppl keep talking through that, God help us all.

[nippy316]

One time when I was very little--probably about 4, I whispered something to my sister and the lady behind me hit me in the shoulder!

Needless to say, mom wanted to take her out.

[jmjtina]

When I was little I coughed once in church. I tried talking to the lady in front of me but she told me to be quiet. a noogie had flew on her and had landed on her back.

[Good Friday]

When I was little I coughed once in church. I tried talking to the lady in front of me but she told me to be quiet. a noogie had flew on her and had landed on her back.

:lol:

[jasJis]

One time when I was very little--probably about 4, I whispered something to my sister and the lady behind me hit me in the shoulder!

Needless to say, mom wanted to take her out.

I've met your mom. She's way too nice to 'take her out'. Maybe setting the kneeler on her toe though......

[Anna]

I've met your mom. She's way too nice to 'take her out'. Maybe setting the kneeler on her toe though......

Never underestimate the tenacity of a Mamma Bear defending her cubs! :D :wub: :wub: