HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — For the fifth consecutive year, St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church offered a sensory-friendly Christmas mass, creating a more accessible worship experience for parishioners with sensory sensitivities.
The modified service adjusted traditional Catholic mass elements by dimming lights, limiting loud sounds and eliminating incense to create a quieter, more relaxed environment. The changes particularly benefited young children and individuals who may struggle with the typical sensory elements of worship.
“People jokingly talk about the Catholic mass and reference the smells and the bells,” said Maximilian Waldron, a seminarian at the church. He explained that traditional masses include bell ringing at significant moments and incense, which can be overwhelming for some worshippers. The church’s large organ, while beautiful, can produce vibrations that some find challenging…