CV NEWS FEED // Back by popular demand, our LOOPer series covering the adorable (though sometimes dreaded) moments with children at Mass returns! Your stories truly echo Our Lord’s call to “let the little children come.”
Get ready for more loveable stories that are sure to draw a tear or bust a gut – all starring LOOPers’ little ones!
Shared by John L.
We married in our early 30s and had five children in five years thanks to the first pregnancy being a twin pregnancy. Our parish has a balcony that cantilevers out over the back rows of the pews below and if you arrived “just in time” before a busy weekend Mass, there was a good chance that the only available seating would be in the balcony. Of course, we liked to sit towards the front so the kids could see what was happening. The balcony ledge supports a short railing to bring the height of the wall up to a safe level but it actually gently slopes toward the sanctuary so objects placed on the ledge can roll off onto the congregation below.
We learned not to bring small or hard objects to the front rows of the balcony. However, one day one of our twin toddlers was able to shove a small, soft baby blanket through the opening of the railing. As it fell, it opened up and perfectly parachuted directly over a middle-aged man’s balding head below. Couldn’t have draped the bust of a statue smack dab in the center of the blanket more perfectly if we tried! The surprised man removed the blanket and looked up at the two wide-eyed, embarrassed parents (one holding a babe-in-arms) leaning over the railing observing the spectacle below. Fortunately, the blanket was clean and the gentleman gracious.
Shared by Sarah C.
At the end of every Mass, my 2-year-old waves and hollers, “BYE CROSS” as the servers are lining up for the recessional until she can no longer see the cross. Grateful for loud organ music and that others around find it endearing.
Shared by Tim and Jane N.
One of my teachers at Catholic school told the story of her son. It was during the moment of quiet reflection after the priest finished his sermon. Her 4-year-old son, Patrick, was sitting at the end of the pew when he stepped out into the center aisle and declared to the congregation, “I ain’t gonna be an altar boy, I’m gonna be a cowboy!”
Shared by Sal C.
I was cantoring a Mass from the altar when I lived in the greater Pittsburgh area and my two adult daughters were in the congregation with my then 4-year-old grandson, Gavin. Gavin started acting up, so in an attempt to quiet him down my youngest daughter told him “look there’s Poppa.” So in the dead silence of the Mass my grandson stands up, yells out real loud “Hi Poppa” and waves, which gave everyone, including the priest, a chuckle.
Shared by Gina N.
After attending Mass weekly, my 4-year-old son asked, “why do we sing ‘lasagna in the highest?’”
Shared by Caroline M.
Our toddlers started bickering during Mass. We thought we had stopped the arguing by separating them. Then, much to our chagrin, right at the silence after the bells at the elevation our youngest very loudly proclaimed, “I hate you!” We weren’t too mortified because all of the regulars knew and liked our large family. We knew they were all probably doing their best to keep from laughing out loud.
Shared by Ann C.
Our priest had recently been made a monsignor. The first Mass that he wore his monsignor vestments, my 4-year-old, who had been watching “Aladdin” regularly, saw Monsignor walk onto the altar and yelled aloud, “Look mom, it’s Jafar” to the amusement of everyone around us.
Shared by Kris K.
A few years ago, our then 3-year-old was always a problem at Mass and someone suggested that if we bring him up to the front pews, where he could see what was going on, he might pay attention and behave better. We brought him up to the front pew and, sure enough, he was quiet and watchful for the first part of Mass.
However, during the elevation of the Host, as everyone knelt in silent reverence, he suddenly dashed out into the center aisle, just too fast for my wife’s grasping fingers to catch him and began performing “The Hot Dog Dance” from Mickey Mouse with great gusto. Fortunately, the priest was saying the Mass Ad Orientem and did not see this, but the rest of the congregation did and there was a lot of stifled laughter. That was four years ago and we still have not brought him back to the front pew.
Shared by Claire & Mark P.
We have two awesome grown sons Joe and Luke, who, when they were 5 and 3-years-old, would be like any boys their age: very competitive, active and glued at the hip, even at Mass. While we all stood for the Gospel reading and signed ourselves to Father’s “reading of the Gospel according to Luke,” Joe pulled on my husband’s shirt with the biggest scowl saying, “Luke, Luke, Luke … it’s always Luke! When’s it going to be Joe!?”
Shared by Jim M.
We were at a Sunday Mass right before Christmas. My son was around 3-years-old, and, of course, was hearing talk from his older siblings about Santa Claus and presents. Undoubtedly we had seen a few Santa Clauses here and there over the last few weeks with the requisite jingling bells.
During the prayer over the gifts, the celebrant had raised the Body of Christ toward the sky, and the altar boy jingled the bells three times. Well, my son, who had been doodling around down by the kneeler, jumped up before we could react and yelled, “was that Santa Claus?” loud enough for 10 rows up, and 10 rows behind to hear. That got quite a chuckle from the crowd.
Needless to say, we were more prepared a couple of minutes later when the celebrant raised the Blood of Christ toward the sky and the jingling bells started up again. We have laughed about that every year now for the last 20 years.
Shared by Mary Z.
We were coming into church for Christmas Eve Mass. As we were settling into our seats, our youngest, who was 4-years-old, saw a family in front of us who had a newborn. He leaned over to me and whispered, “Mom, is that baby Jesus?” I had a smile on my face the whole Mass, realizing that my son knew why we were there, even at that young age.
