jrndveritatis Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Many faithful Catholics stay several minutes after Mass to pray, since the Christ is still present in the Eucharist in them. I have been told that the Eucharist retains the appearances of bread and wine for 10-15 minutes after we receive it, and therefore, Christ is physically present within us for that period of time. Is it mandatory to stay after for a certain amount of time because Christ is still within us? Would it be rude or sacriligeous to Jesus if we just left right after Mass and did whatever, or what if we go to coffee and donuts or something while Christ is still sacramentally present? I was just wondering what everyone thinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 No, it's not mandatory to stay a certain amount of time or even to stay at all after Mass. But it's a great idea to do so. Many saints have said you should do it for about 15 minutes because that's supposedly how long Jesus is within you after receiving Holy Communion. No, it wouldn't be sacrilegious to leave right after Mass, but if you didn't do any thanksgiving whatsoever even right after having received Communion, it might be a venial sin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP2Iloveyou Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 No, it's not mandatory to stay a certain amount of time or even to stay at all after Mass. But it's a great idea to do so. Many saints have said you should do it for about 15 minutes because that's supposedly how long Jesus is within you after receiving Holy Communion. No, it wouldn't be sacrilegious to leave right after Mass, but if you didn't do any thanksgiving whatsoever even right after having received Communion, it might be a venial sin. I agree completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Gus Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Is it mandatory to stay after for a certain amount of time because Christ is still within us? Would it be rude or sacriligeous to Jesus if we just left right after Mass and did whatever, or what if we go to coffee and donuts or something while Christ is still sacramentally present? I would say if anything, quite the opposite. What is Mass? "Mass" comes from the Latin "missa" which means "sent." It is the same root word as for the words "mission," "com-mission" and "dismiss." So basically, the whole Mass is a giant sending out of the Church into the world. The very last thing the Priest says to us (at the dismissal) is "the Mass is ended, go in peace" or "go in peace to love and serve the Lord." etc. We come to be fed, and then, having received what we need from the Lord for our own sustenance, we are sent out to spread the Good News. So what he is saying is "GET OUT THERE AND MAKE THE WORLD CATHOLIC." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katholikos Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 The Church I attend (and some others I have visited) have a period of beautiful, wonderful SILENCE following Communion, followed by a meditative song. This delays the dismissal, which I find to be a good thing. I try to stay about 15 minutes after Mass for the reasons that have been mentioned. I find the best time to "commune" with God is while Holy Communion is present in my tummy, and before His miraculous Body and Blood become my body and blood by natural processes. I love that priestly prayer: "May we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity." When we have shared in His divinity, should we be in such a hurry to get out the door? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Michael Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 I used to have the bad habit of leaving right after Communion. Now I usually stay until right after the priest says "go in peace". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Thomas Michael, ure sposedta wait until the priest has gone done the aisle to leave. at least that's waht i've always been taught. i have a different thing that staying in the Church after Mass though. i could be there praying by the tabernacle any time i wanted, but at this moment i am a living tabernacle, with Christ Jesus inside of me. i enjoy going on a little walk with Him if i have the time. And Christ stays Physically present for those 10-15 minutes (supposedly, i'm not an expert but ive never heard official Church teaching on the matter, and i kinda think it would be longer even if it no longer appears to be bread and wine inside us after that time. someone tell me if i'm wrong) anyway, the walk with Jesus after the Mass is some of my favorite time spent with Him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundsheep Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 i know leave after the priest walks down the aisle, but do we have to wait till the song is over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted November 5, 2003 Share Posted November 5, 2003 yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Gus Posted November 5, 2003 Share Posted November 5, 2003 Well, it's not a salvation issue, but it is courteous. As for the silence after communion, that's actually in the liturgical documents. If there isn't any silence after communion, then the liturgy is being abused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted November 5, 2003 Share Posted November 5, 2003 yep. unless it's an annoying LifeTeen song :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now