A new trend in Roblox. Players celebrate virtual masses. Priest: There is potential

Roblox is not so much a video game as it is a kind of “virtual sandbox” where players can create their own minigames, maps, and even virtual worlds. The platform was established in 2006, but the peak of its popularity – also in Poland – fell in recent years. As with several other online phenomena, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to the increased interest in Robloks.

Masses on Robloks. Virtual parishes were created on the platform

For several days, fragments of virtual masses organized in Robloks have been appearing on social media. Ceremonies take place in player-built churches, and the characters participating in the liturgy are appropriately dressed.

100 users can participate in a virtual holy mass, but the interest is so great that sometimes up to 500 players are waiting in line to join the server. The largest church community in Robloks is the Gniezno Cathedral, which has been operating on the platform for eight years.

We invite you to participate in the Holy Mass in the Archdiocese of Gniezno! It’s fully m0żl1we after joining our communication server! Link in group description. Current hours of Mass January 11 – 5 pm

–

Priest about masses on Roblox: “Great respect for the boys for knowing the liturgy”

The idea of ​​Robloks users was addressed by, among others, priest Krzysztof Kołtunowicz, known for his interest in new technologies. “There is potential” – he wrote in a comment under the broadcast of a virtual mass posted on TikTok.

Another priest active on TikTok, Sebastian Picur, is also quite positive about this initiative.

Great respect for the boys for their knowledge of the liturgy – decor, layout of the temple, robes, preparation and course of the holy mass. Of course, there are some lapses, but based on the fragments I have seen, I can say that the guests are great at the liturgy and are passionate about it. A rating of 10/10 for that. For singing and knowledge of church melodies – golden button

– he said in a recording he published on TikTok.

At the same time, however, he drew attention to the fact that this initiative is praiseworthy, as long as it was not intended to ridicule or disregard the liturgy of the mass.

It must be remembered that the Eucharist is the greatest sanctity of the church and great prudence is needed so that such a virtual form is not aimed at trivializing, ridiculing or disregarding the sacred liturgy. If that was the goal of people creating such an animation and people taking part in it – please don’t do it. It is also worth remembering that attending such a mass does not replace attending a real mass in the temple

he said.