Reverential Behavior At Mass - A Counter Cultural Witness

This blog and others have decried abuses and lack of reverence at Masses, and we will continue to do so.  One unavoidable drawback that we face, however, is that we are reporting "after the fact" as it were.  What can the faithful Catholic do to discourage misbehavior and encourage real reverence at Mass?  The answer is, "more than one might think".  Much of what I'll suggest is simply what was once considered normal behavior at Mass two generations ago.  Bear in mind that these suggestions can - and I think, should - be implemented on a regular, ongoing basis.  Here goes:

• Dress formally for Mass.  For men (of all ages), that means suit, tie, dress shirt and dress shoes.  For ladies (of all ages), dress or skirt that at least covers the knees, nothing "see-through" nor sleeveless, modest neckline, back covered and no midriff showing.  Toe-covered shoes and stockings, no bare legs nor sandals.
• Aside from bottles for infants, no food, drink, nor gum.
• No chatting in the nave of the church before or after Mass.  Even if you "whisper", the sounds carry and you do cause visual distraction.  Save the conversation for later.  If urgent, take it into the lobby.
• While waiting for Mass to begin, look over the hymns to be sung during Mass, lest you wind up mouthing heresy and/or singing works of known dissidents.
• If Father tries to institute a "meet and greet" session at the beginning of Mass, don't participate.  Save the howdy-doos for later, in the Church lobby.
• If Father or Deacon insists on cracking jokes from the pulpit, do not laugh.  A somber glare might be in order.  If the homilist tries to make it an "interactive" homily by eliciting verbal answers from the congregation, remain silent.  Do not applaud.
• During the Our Father, keep your hands folded in prayer.  The laity are NOT to assume the orans position, nor are they to hold hands.
• During the "kiss of peace" (unless you choose to kneel through it), only exchange it with those immediately near you.  Do NOT stretch across rows, do NOT cross the aisles.  Once the Agnus Dei has started, immediately cease and turn your attention to the altar.  If someone near you tries to "exchange" with you after the Agnes Dei has started, ignore them and focus on the altar.
• When receiving Holy Communion, always make some act of reverence before receiving the Host (bow or genuflect).  You have the canonical right to receive on the tongue and kneeling.
• If you see a Host fall to the ground, watch the reaction of the Minister.  If he just picks It up and does nothing else, you should act.  The Particles left on the ground really are the Body and Blood of Our Lord.  It happened at our Church last week.  Not knowing what else to do, I got some paper towels to wipe the area immediately after the priests receded at Mass's end.  Don't think "it's no big deal".  It is.  (By the way - if anyone knows what a lay person can do in that situation, please advise).
• Mass ends when the Dismissal is given and the congregation respond "thanks be to God".  Do not leave before the priests do.  However, after that, you are NOT obliged to wait for the entire recessional to be sung.  Some "worship aids" erroneously state that Mass ends after the singing of the complete recessional.  That is incorrect, according to the GIRM.
• If Father insists on recognizing some altar server who is going to college or the cute children's choir, again, NO APPLAUSE.  Do not participate in any distraction from Jesus Christ, be that distraction ever so momentary.
• You many wish to spend a few minutes in prayer after Mass (bearing in mind when the next Mass is scheduled to begin).  When you do leave, do so QUIETLY.  Any conversations can be postponed for the few seconds that it takes to walk to the lobby.

They don't sound like radical suggestions, do they?  In reality, they aren't. A few decades ago, these were considered normal, expected behaviors. However, in today's all-too-sloppy loosey-goosey culture, the above-stated behaviors will be taken as the "sign of contradiction" against carelessness and unthinking irreverence.

The above suggestions are certainly appropriate for the ordinary situation.  You might find, however, that Father decides upon a new procedure that is not authorized in the General Instructions for the Roman Missal (please get yourselves copies, available on Amazon).  He might foist liturgical dancing on you.  A female might try the homily.  During a joke from the pulpit, someone from the congregation might loudly offer up his own.  Heresy might come from the homilist.  We might see some horrid sacrilege happening to the Blessed Sacrament.  We will have to consider what to do, for gone are the days when we could just be silent and claim to "offer it up", taking the coward's way out.  We have to think long and hard about our own situations, for under this papacy we may see some glaring monstrosities rear their ugly heads in our parishes.

By the way, feel free to make additional suggestions in the comments section.

Dressing For Mass

This morning one of the home-schooled children made his First Holy Communion today.  He occupied the front pew and some of his relatives were present.  I sat about half-way back.  I could hear a man behind me commenting and expressing amazement at "all the coats and ties" he saw.  Of course, he had on one of those polo shirts with button undone.  I was struck with the irony of it all.  45 years ago, "all the coats and ties" would have been the norm and that man's manner of dress would have been the anomaly.

How far have we been dumbed down?  Quite a bit.  Let me preempt some "dont' judge by appearances" objections by pointing out this little factoid.  Dress is not appearance.  Dress is behavior.  One chooses their wardrobe based upon their beliefs, attitudes, and core character.  As such, it is fair game for comment and even criticism.  If one truly believes that they are attending Holy Mass, the Unbloody Sacrifice of Our Lord and that they will receive Him in the Eucharist, why does their dress belie their beliefs (apart from poor catechesis received)?  May I suggest some improvements?

1. For both men and women  No jeans (including denim dresses), shorts, sneakers, sandals, bare shoulders, bare midriffs, tee shirts.  Clothing in good repair, nothing torn.  Nothing too tight or baggy.
2. Gentlemen (of all ages)  Jacket and tie at all times - and keep them on.  That presupposes, of course, dress shirts, dress slacks and dress shoes.
3. Ladies  No slacks.  Skirt and dress hems no higher than the knee.  Nothing sleeveless.  Nothing "see-thru" (unless there is at least one more layer).  No bare legs in summer; wear hose (NOT fishnets).  Close-toed shoes.

Again, 45 years ago, in a more civilized age, this would have been considered the norm.  Why not now?  There are times when "casual" is simply inappropriate; the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is one such time.  Of course there will be exceptions for illness, injury, inclement weather or other extenuating circumstance, but these will be precisely that - exceptions, not the norm.

Parents, that means that you should not allow your daughters to go to Mass dressed like hookers - nor should you allow your sons to go dressed like they just broke out of jail.  You might find that if you insist on proper dress, that their attitudes will change - provided, of course that you yourselves follow suit.