Is it wrong to leave Mass after Communion? 

Contributions: Catholic Bishops Commission for Catechetics
Translation: Suzanna Joseph

The Mass and Thanksgiving dinner have much in common, but the Mass is so much more. It is our celebration of the paschal mystery, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world.

Remember during Holy Eucharist one receives the body and blood of Christ. Therefore, it is inappropriate and wrong to leave the church right after receiving the Holy Eucharist. As it is disrespectful to God. Judas Iscariot behaved in a similar way on the Last Supper. ‘As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.’ (John 13:1-30). One should be mindful while receiving the host. Which only appears as bread and wine, but are believed to be actually parts of Christ himself, our Creator. Who was crucified for our sake.

Can’t we show our gratitude by remaining in our seats for a little while.

When we are invited as guests to a meal we don’t just wash hands and walk out of the house right after it has been served. Instead we wait and accompany the host to show our gratitude.

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Similarly Jesus Christ invites us on the Altar for his Holy Feast and we become part of the Holy Eucharist. We should wait for the last host and the Eucharistic minister to leave first.

A person only leaves instantly who is ignorant of the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and who does not realize what they have received.