MERGED: Concentrating/Distractions at Mass

divinefaith · #1 Feb 24, '12, 11:20 pm

I've got difficulty doing so. Any tips?

YoungTradCath · #2 Feb 24, '12, 11:34 pm

Go to EF Low Masses.

divinefaith · #3 Feb 24, '12, 11:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

Go to EF Low Masses.

What are EF low masses?

Laudate Dominum · #4 Feb 25, '12, 12:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by divinefaith

What are EF low masses?

It's the Holy Sacrifice celebrated according to the rubrics of 1962 (the "traditional Latin Mass"). Low Mass is Mass celebrated without all the "smells and bells", chanting, etc. The Ordinary is spoken (and the Canon is silent regardless of whether it's Low or High Mass).

It encourages a very "meditative" atmosphere.

Pfaffenhoffen · #5 Feb 25, '12, 12:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by divinefaith

I've got difficulty doing so. Any tips?

No tips. No problem with distractions at mass. You cannot do anything about it.
Jesus operates "ex opera operato"

odile53 · #6 Feb 25, '12, 1:51 am

Get there early, and sit up front, and look toward the altar. If you have a missal, read through the readings and think about them before Mass. This works for both ordinary form and extraordinary form Masses. The human eye is drawn to movement: People moving around is frequently the most intrusive visual distraction. If you limit your visual field by not being able to see the entire church, like you can when sitting in the back, you're not going to see a lot of the visual distractions.

Laudate Dominum · #7 Feb 25, '12, 2:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfaffenhoffen

No tips. No problem with distractions at mass. You cannot do anything about it.
Jesus operates "ex opera operato"

That's a healthy attitude to foster..

YoungTradCath · #8 Feb 25, '12, 3:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by divinefaith

What are EF low masses?

Mass in Latin, a very quiet version of it. It has a very meditative/contemplative atmosphere.

MissRose73 · #9 Feb 25, '12, 4:22 am

I admit I've had issues concentrating and paying attention too. I get to Mass at least 10 minutes early and read/pray from my missal. As a woman, I've noticed since I choose to cover my head, I seldom turn around or look around at others before and during Mass too.

bscastro · #10 Feb 25, '12, 5:09 am

Part of it depends on what you're having troubles at mass.

Are you distracted by things that are going on at Mass?

Are you thinking about what you are going to do after Mass?

Are random thoughts just popping in your head?

The answer to this may help. As was mentioned, it's going to happen and it's okay. I try to do a little better every time I go, trying my best and knowing that I'll never get it "perfect" in terms of a distraction-free, fully-focused attendance of Mass.

God bless,
Bryan

divinefaith · #11 Feb 25, '12, 5:53 am

Thanks for the replies. I'll give a general answer to all of you...
Firstly I'm happy at my Parish which is in the new form. The EF mass sounds interesting but it might be something I could take part in from time to time, but not at the moment. thanks for those who suggested it.
As for focusing on prayer prior to Mass begins and sitting closer to the altar, these are good ideas. I might get myself praying before Mass begins and sitting closer to th front could motivate me to concentrate more

the sorts of thoughts I get? Pretty random and not exactly about what I need to do after Mass. My mind just gets wondering and doesn't seem too interested

centurionguard · #12 Feb 25, '12, 6:04 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by odile53

Get there early, and sit up front, and look toward the altar. If you have a missal, read through the readings and think about them before Mass. This works for both ordinary form and extraordinary form Masses. The human eye is drawn to movement: People moving around is frequently the most intrusive visual distraction. If you limit your visual field by not being able to see the entire church, like you can when sitting in the back, you're not going to see a lot of the visual distractions.

Best advice I've seen. The worst place for distractions is the Main Entrance of the Church or sitting near the crying Room. And with the onset of the Greeting Ministry seen in many parishes the entrance of the Church has turned into a gossip zone as seen echoed in many Protestant churches.

rhiannonh · #13 Feb 25, '12, 6:42 am

Ask if you can serve on the altar or sing in the choir? That way you be busy and involved.

You'll be kept very busy learning what to do at first then as you relax you will know every one can see if you are obviously not focused.

Am not going to say what a priest said to me because you will all point that am Anglican and its different. But I bet its not because all priests are as human as we are.

Deo Gratias42 · #14 Feb 25, '12, 8:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

Go to EF Low Masses.

This only works if there are no screaming/crying children present. I have yet to experience one.

Splagchnizomai · #15 Feb 25, '12, 8:47 am

Practice concentrating when you are not at Mass.