Parishioners breathe easier in Seattle church's 'fragrance-free' zone

Published: 2004-12-15

SEATTLE (CNS) -- Until Blessed Sacrament Parish in Seattle established a "fragrance-free section" at select Masses on Sundays, Wendy Lindmark would stand by the door throughout the Mass in case she needed to duck outside for a breath of fresh air. Now she's able to sit through the liturgy from beginning to end, comforted in the knowledge that she'll depart in the same shape as when she arrived. Last August, Blessed Sacrament created a "fragrance-free" seating area in the church's south transept for the 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. The special section enables parishioners such as Lindmark to attend Mass without fear of being exposed to fragrances such as perfume or hairspray that can make them ill. "It surprised me a couple of weeks ago when I realized I no longer expect to get sick from going to Mass," Lindmark said. Her situation reflects what other Catholics who are asthmatic or suffer from a disorder known as multiple chemical sensitivities face each time they walk into their church for Mass: the possibility of spending days or even weeks in bed after becoming ill from fragrances that their respiratory systems cannot tolerate.

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