Needed: More Reverence at Mass

SHORT COMMUNICATION 30.

Needed: More Reverence at Mass

By

Roger Behra

Anyone who regularly attends the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass On Saturday evening or Sunday in the United States, especially at St. Pius V, has to notice with dismay the great lack of reverence at the Masses. To those who have great and pure respect for the Mass, this has to be very saddening and disappointing. And the lack of reverence begins at Pius V with the very first arrivals.

The first to arrive are the organist and the singer. As they practice for the Mass (while confessions are being heard no less) loud talking and laughing goes on. And while this goes on, parishioners are arriving. They notice the lack of reverence whit the organist and singer, so they think it is alright for them to talk and laugh also. Reverence means showing great respect or admiration while in Gold’s house (church). Reverence is lacking from the very beginning.

As the congregation arrives for Mass it is noticeable how people are dressed. And that is a real eve-opener. The manner of dress ranges from very, very casual to the obscene. Men are dressed in cut-off trousers, baggy sweatshirts, flip-flops, athletic jerseys names and numbers on them, sleeveless athletic sweatshirts with hairy arms and upper bare backs showing. And faded well-worn blue jeans are in abundance.

Women, adult, very young adult, and young teen-agers win the obscenely dressed awards. They wear very tight-fitting jeans or pants that leave little or nothing to the imagination, the upper one-third of their breasts showing, excessive cleavage showing, see through blouses, bra straps showing. This kind of attire is unacceptable anywhere in public let alone in church and at Mass. Thankfully older women dress much more respectfully to balance everything in the direction of reverence.

At the time Mass begins half of the pews are empty. Ten to fifteen minutes later all the pews are filled. Coming late for Mass is the norm and shows a great lack of reverence every week-end.

Then during the Mass itself there are so many distractions. Cell phone ringing, babies crying in the pews, some even screaming, young ones and teen-agers whispering, talking, laughing, jabbing each other, and this going on during the consecration of all times! And then the same people go up to receive the Holy Eucharist. Unbelievable!

Then between the consecration and the final blessing about thirty percent of the people leave the Mass. At the final blessing time it is very noticeable.

Reverent attendance at Mass in Mexico seems to be still in effect. We here in the United States have to get back to that same reverence. And the sooner the better. Let it begin now! We must stop celebrating ourselves and get back to reverently celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the presence of Jesus Our Lord, and Savior.

RB