“From the Archives” Mass Manners
A public announcement issued for Christmas Masses in 1865 by Father Peter Kroes, Saint Mary Pastor from 1857 to 1872, read: “We are requested to say that, in consequence of irreverent conduct of some persons attending Saint Mary’s Church on former occasions, doors will not be opened until the bell rings at 4 o’clock, and that a committee of the congregation has been appointed to prevent talking and other unbecoming behavior in the Church.” (From the Alexandria Gazette, December 23, 1865)
On June 10, 1901, Father Henry J. Cutler, pastor from 1891 to 1915, announced at Mass he was “about to inaugurate heroic measures against young men and boys who congregate in front of the church on Sundays, smoking cigarettes and staring at people who enter and leave.” He said he had secured the names of all who were “addicted to the practice” but would not read them out in public…yet. He gave notice, however, that should the annoyance continue, he would announce the offenders’ names from the pulpit so the entire congregation would know who they were. Father Cutler said they were disturbing those here to quietly worship and he would turn the matter over to the local police if needed. There is no record as to whether that became necessary!
Lessons (and fraternal correction) in church etiquette have continued into the 21st century, addressing not only people talking loudly in the church and disturbing others who are praying but also the intrusion of modern, ever-present electronic devices. For example, there have been announcements and signs reminding people to turn off their cell phones (or set them on “vibrate”) during Mass. One day at Mass here at Saint Mary a few years ago, a cell phone jingled loudly with the Star Wars theme just as the priest reached the Consecration. He paused, looked in the direction of the offending phone, and said: “That better be Jesus calling.”
– Kitty Guy, Parish Historian
Throughout 2020, the Basilica of Saint Mary will present “From the Archives.” It is a weekly feature online and in our bulletin spotlighting the history of the parish. All of our “From the Archives” features are located here.