Three Simple Liturgical Habits

Sarah Pedrozo offers three simple practices we can do at Mass, especially as we prepare for Advent, to show hospitality to others. 

The holy season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 3, just two short days from now. During this season we will prepare once again for the birth of Christ and ponder ways that we can share His birth with the world. 

A couple of months ago, we began preparing for the Advent and Christmas activities at my parish. One of the topics that came up were the “CE” Catholics, meaning those folks who typically make it to Mass only at Christmas and Easter. The way that different people wanted to handle these guests varied from being fairly apathetic to downright hostile. But a good experience of a community worshiping, praying, and waiting, especially during Advent and Christmas, can be very powerful for those who are not used to it. I would like to offer three simple practices that we can all do to show hospitality, particularly at Mass and especially toward newcomers and those who may feel like outsiders. 

Be Welcoming like Carol

I’ll never forget the Sunday, years ago, when one or two of my kids had behaved especially poorly in Mass. Nothing I could say or do seemed to help the situation, and I got a few looks from people reminding me of this. After the final blessing and dismissal, I corralled my kids, feeling exhausted and defeated, through the crowded narthex, just trying to get out as quickly as possible. My heart sank as I noticed an older lady with big tortoiseshell glasses and a huge silk flower in her hair, making her way determinedly towards me. Bracing myself for what I thought would be some kind of put-down from her, I was simply astonished to hear her say, “I’m so glad you and your children were here today. It made me so happy to hear their little voices, and I prayed for you during Mass.”

I think I burst into tears.

That lady, Carol, has since become one of my friends and she is always that welcoming. When I am not feeling very charitable, I remember her and try to imitate her loving kindness. One day, I hope to be as welcoming as Carol.

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Make room for Joachim

At Mass with my son a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the tendency we all have of sitting near the edge of the pews, and at the back of the church. We tend to leave the center of the pews and the pews closer to the altar wide open. I happened to see a young mom walking up and down the aisle a couple of times, looking for a place to sit with her young child, but not wanting to disturb the people already there. “People need to move over and make room,” I thought. 

And then I realized I had done the exact same thing. 

Motioning to my son, we scooted over to the center of the pew. About thirty seconds later, Joachim, a young man we knew, sat down in the empty space, glad to be able to sit near a friend and feel comfortable, instead of standing awkward and alone on the wall, like an outsider. Now, I try to remember Joachim, and move over to make room.

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Remember you are going into the mission fields

A friend of mine, Jessica, told me that she had visited a different Catholic church one day, and as she was leaving the sanctuary she looked up and saw the words “Now Entering the Mission Fields” written in huge letters above the doors. The words could only be seen from the inside and were a reminder to everyone that the moment they stepped outside the church, everywhere they went were the mission fields: the grocery store, the park, the coffee shop, the school, the office. Even the church parking lot! All places are in need of the grace we receive in Mass. The mission fields are everywhere, and we are each sent into them. 

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3 simple ways to show hospitality, particularly at Mass and especially toward newcomers and those who may feel like outsiders. #CatholicMom

Be welcoming. Make room. Remember you are sent. These three liturgical practices are very simple and easy to do, just sometimes hard to remember. But if we do them often enough, hopefully they'll become habits. 

My own personal hope is that if I can be welcoming, make room and remember I am sent during the Liturgy, maybe I can also extend that spirit of hospitality into the world, even after Christmas. In the meantime, I’ll remember Carol, Joachim, and Jessica, and keep trying.

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