Respectful Behavior, Attitude, Preparation and Dress for Every Holy Mass
It is important to maintain an attitude of alert attentiveness at all times during the Mass, not visiting, not slouching when sitting or looking around unnecessarily.
Sign of the Cross
1. Keeping fingers together, touch the head (Father), above stomach (Son), left shoulder (Holy) to right shoulder (Spirit)2. Return to folded hands position.
Genuflection
This is a sign of reverence shown to the Blessed Sacrament, exposed on the altar or in the Tabernacle. One should genuflect when entering the church (at one's seat), when leaving and if crossing in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Bowing should only be done when the person is physically unable due to health or knee problems. After genuflecting to the Tabernacle, a bow to the altar can be appropriate only if the Blessed Sacrament is not present on the Altar.
To genuflect.:
1. Stand still with body erec
t2. Kneel with the right leg (move the right leg back slightly, touching the knee to the floor)3. After a brief pause, return to upright position after a silent word of love or faith to the Divine Person of Jesus (to whom you are genuflecting to in the Tabernacle or present on the Altar.4. * When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, a double genuflection (where the left knee is brought to the floor after the right knee, then raised first), is used to demonstrate that you truly are in the visible presence of the King of Kings.
Dressing for Mass is simply a matter of showing proper respect, not only for God, but also for others around you. One should always wear clothes that are modest, and, if possible, all things being equal, clean and the nicest clothes one has. We must consider that ANY Holy Mass is reason enough to wear clothes that we tend to reserve for attending special Masses e.g.: Funerals, Baptisms, Weddings and Anniversaries. Holy Mass IS a reason to dress in our best.
|
Shorts and Sweats
|
Just say no. T-shirts are not appropriate and can even be sacrilegious when they are printed with vulgar, rude, occult or suggestive slogans and pictures.
|
|
Blue Jeans
|
Nice blue jeans can be "OK" (but just OK) for men, especially if dressed up with a jacket and tie, but are not ideal. But if jeans are all you have, then wear jeans! Tight jeans for woman can never be appropriate.
|
|
Ties and Jackets
|
Standard for men if you have them.
|
|
Hats or other Head Covering
|
Laymen never wear hats in churches (except for rare ceremonial reasons on the part of some confraternities and lay associations). On the other hand, it is still a sign of respect for women to cover their heads. This sign of respect is from the very first day of the Church even though it is not specifically mandated in the 1983 Book of Canon Law. This mandate was never discussed as any formal change, only left out of this edition without explanation.
|
|
Special to Women
|
Women should wear dresses or skirts that cover the knees when standing and sitting, that cover the upper arms (i.e., "tank top" dresses and spaghetti straps are not kosher), and that have a high enough neckline to maintain modesty. Women shouldn't wear slacks or pants to Mass unless slacks and pants are all she has (a situation she should work to rectify). No matter what, modesty is key. Tight, clinging blouses, skirts, shirts and pants are definitely immodest, no matter how popular they have become in our sinful culture of severe immodesty.
|
|
Pagers and Cell Phones
|
Turn them OFF
|
WE MUST UNDERSTAND THESE FACTS WHEN WE ARE IN CHURCH AND AT THE MASS, SO OUR BEHAVIOR IS BE BASED ON THESE TRUTHS:
Christ is present in the tabernacle. Therefore, respect the sanctuary as the holiest area of the church; it is the Holy of Holies.
During the Mass, we are at the foot of the Cross, witnessing the re-presentation of the Sacrifice at Calvary. How would you behave if you could see, in a way very apparent to the senses, Christ on the Cross, pouring out His Blood for you? What sort of gratitude and reverence would you exhibit? Look upon the Mass with the eyes of faith, and know that focus on the Mass only and primarily as ONLY a "celebratory meal" or a "happy gathering" is in no way Catholic and in no way represents the Truth of what the Mass is. The Eating of the Paschal Lamb at the first LAST SUPPER, where Jesus instituted the Mass, was the eating of the SACRIFICIAL LAMB - Jesus was that SACRIFICIAL LAMB WHO WAS LITERALLY SACRIFICED THE NEXT DAY AT CALVERY. Every Mass is the ‘Unbloody sacrifice offered on the ALTAR’ (not just a dinner table) re-presented to the Eternal Father. Yes, we eat this sacrifice, but it is the true Sacrificial Lamb of God.
If you're not shy, greet newcomers outside or in the vestibule (NOT in the church itself!) as they come in or leave. Make them feel welcome; learn their names. Give them eye contact, a warm handshake, a friendly pat on the back. Introduce them to the priest after Mass if they haven't already met. Let them know they are welcome, wanted, and entering the House of God. If they are new parishioners, talk to them sometime about events and associations in your parish. Go out of your way to make them feel at home. (Of course, on the other hand, some people are loners or are in very contemplative moods before Mass or just like to go to Mass without frivolity or conversation of any kind because they do have a very intimate relationship with our Lord. Use your intuition and respect their wishes)
When you enter the Church, cross yourself with Holy Water and thank God for the grace given to you at Baptism. When you reach your pew, genuflect toward the Tabernacle in the Sanctuary before sitting down.
Keep sacred silence in the church. Avoid unnecessary conversation and keep necessary conversation to a very low whisper. The Church is a lot holier than a library.
Please try to be on time for Mass! Sometimes things can't be helped, without doubt -- cars break down, babies need changing, alarm clocks fail to go off -- but chronic lateness for the Mass is rude and disruptive.
This is beyond "etiquette," but I will note here that you are to fast one hour before receiving the Eucharist, and are to refrain from receiving the Eucharist if you are in a state of mortal sin or have accidentally ingested anything but plain water. If you are a public, unrepentant sinner, the priest has every right and duty to not offer you the Body of Christ.
