Q. Is there anything in the rubrics about how long Mass should last? I know people who shop around for shorter Masses.
A. Thank you for your question. As a pastor of a number of years, I frequently get comments about the length of Mass, or how long a homily lasts. I realize that most people say these things in jest.
There are no rubrics that talk about how long Mass should last. There are words in the General Instructions of the Roman Missal (GIRM) which inform us as to how the Mass should be celebrated, e.g., reverently, devoutly, etc. This, to me, indicates that Mass should take as long as necessary.
Each priest brings his own style, approach, and personality to the celebration of the Eucharist. Some are pretty good singers and bring an added dimension to the Mass with their voice. Other priests like to emphasize the eloquence of the spoken word, the effective use of pauses, and silence at the appropriate time. Each of these elements will affect how long Mass will last.
I personally believe it is wrong for a priest to race through Mass.
Our consideration of the length of Mass should begin with questions like, “Why do I go to Mass?” “What is the reality and the nature of the Eucharist?” and “What does the Mass mean to me?”
If we put too much emphasis on how long Mass will be, we are certainly there for the wrong reason. That would imply that the Eucharist is simply an obligation that the Church imposes which we quickly check off of our weekend list. I really hope that is not the case for any Catholic.
Rather, after extensive prayer, reading, and reflection, we should truly strive to be missionary disciples who understand and accept that the Eucharist—the Very Body and Blood of Jesus—is our Catholic act of worship. Therefore, it should not matter how long Mass lasts. Even though the priest may not be the most eloquent preacher and the music may not be concert quality, we should realize, nonetheless, that our presence at Mass is to worship our God; we need to be there, regardless of circumstances.
Mass should never be seen as an obligation but, rather, an opportunity.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
