Being oblivious of the penitential rite;the short pause by the priest after asking that we all make ourselves worthy to partake of the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, is for us to call to mind our venial sins and be sincerely sorry for them. This act cleanses us of the venial sins. We must note that no amount of prayer is able to absolve us of mortal sins. Such absolution can only be gained at a sacramental confession.
Lack of attention during the liturgy of words. A simple litmus test to know the level of your concentration during the readings and Gospel is to wait as soon as the Gospel proclamation is over, try remembring what was read during the first and second readings.Again if you are prone to sleeping, avoid the fan and by all means make yourself a little uncomfortable during the homily. It is actually very embarrassing to be caught sleeping, snoring or even salivating during the Homily
Indiscriminate tracing of the cross on various areas of the face and torso during the Gospel proclamation.Crosses are traced on the fore head, the lips and the heart, while saying at the same time; Glory be to you Lord.
Unnecessary and deliberate delay to proceed for offering.Most persons for reasons best known to them will not rise from their seats for offertory, this is more obvious during weekday Masses, where the normal pew by pew movement supervised by the church wardens is not practiced. Some persons prefer to run up at dying minutes to throw in their offertory, while all along they've been stuck on their seats. This is very wrong. As soon as offertory hymn is intoned, those with their offertory gifts should proceed to the nearest box and drop off their piece.
Taking the attention away from the Chief celebrant. The choir most often falls into this bit. The transition period between the liturgy of the word and liturgy of the Eucharist, marked usually by offertory processions and blessing of the oblata, the hysteria carried over from music tunes and gyrations tends to keep the chief celebrant waiting.The chief celebrant is the centre point during the celebration of the Holy Mass. He is to lead all steps of the Mass. As soon as he returns to the Altar of sacrifice, all songs MUST cease to enable him progress the Mass. It is wrong to keep on singing while the chief celebrant waits on the congregation.
