A couple of questions about mass

[uwwhitewater84]

The answers that I’ve recieved from other posters have been very helpful, so I’d like to ask a few more…

1. As I’m not a confirmed Catholic, I know that I can not take communion, but should either pray for spiritual communion or to go for a blessing. Should I kneel to pray for spiritual communion when the rest of the congregation is going to the priest to take the Eucharist? Should I kneel and pray for spiritual communion after having gotten a blessing from the priest?
2. I’m going to a funeral mass tomorrow for the first time and was also wondering what the traditions are as far as crossing yourself, kneeling before mass begins, etc…

Thanks

 

[LilyM]

The answers that I’ve recieved from other posters have been very helpful, so I’d like to ask a few more…

1. As I’m not a confirmed Catholic, I know that I can not take communion, but should either pray for spiritual communion or to go for a blessing. Should I kneel to pray for spiritual communion when the rest of the congregation is going to the priest to take the Eucharist? Should I kneel and pray for spiritual communion after having gotten a blessing from the priest?
2. I’m going to a funeral mass tomorrow for the first time and was also wondering what the traditions are as far as crossing yourself, kneeling before mass begins, etc…

Thanks

FYI, many Catholics receive their First Holy Communion separately from, and well before, their confirmation, so the two don’t automatically go together. But of course you do need appropriate instruction before you can receive either.

Either course is fine at Communion time - you might want to check with your priest first, some of them I think prefer not to give blessings. And EMHCs (extraordinary ministers) aren’t supposed to give blessings.

A funeral mass is very much the same as any other mass as regards how the attendees are to behave and what they are to do.

 

[MusicMan]

Do not go up and receive a blessing. This is an inappropriate practice that should not be occurring. It’s one thing for a four year-old to receive a blessing when s/he is taken through the Communion line with Mom/Dad. It’s another thing for a grown adult to do so. Please remain in your pew and pray for a Spiritual Communion.

 

[Deborah]

Hi uwwhitewater,

Here’s a prayer called,
An act of Spiritual Communion (from EWTN)

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

There are other versions. You’re not required to make a Spiritual Communion though it could be a great blessing for you.
Since the whole congregation receives a blessing at the end of mass, the blessing during Communion isn’t really called for though often it is available - depends on the priest.
Often at funerals the priest will give directions to the congregation on when to kneel and how to come up for a blessing (cross your arms over your chest) or perhaps ask only those who are receiving Communion to come up.

Catholic behavior when entering a church is to genuflect towards the tabernacle (right knee down as you make the sign of the cross) when entering a pew or passing in front of the tabernacle (usually doesn’t happen unless your walking all the way across in front of the altar). It’s a good idea to kneel once you are in your place in the pew and spend a few minutes in preparatory prayer before mass starts. Then sit quietly and stand when the priest enters the church.
After consecration (there may be bells rung) and until the Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated hosts) is reposed in the tabernacle - there is no genuflecting as Jesus is present to us in a special and mobile way during the distribution of Communion. We still kneel at the approproate times though.
When exiting your pew at the end of mass, Catholic behavior is again to genuflect towards the tabernacle.
A reasonable time for the Spiritual Act of Communion is when others are going up for Communion. Kneeling would be ideal. That’s a good time to offer other prayers etc as well. Generally the congregation remains kneeling, after Communion, until the Blessed Sacrament has been reposed - some wait until after the priest has returned to his chair.
A funeral mass can be a hard one to “follow along” since there may be many who are unfamiliar with the way Catholics incorporate body movement into the prayer of the mass. Hopefully Father will help you along.

V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
V. May he/she rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
a May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless us and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes:
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.

Deborah

 

[stbruno]

Whenever Catholics enter a church, they usually do two things. First they dip their fingers into the holy water fonts located usually near the doors of the church as a reminder of our baptism and also make the sign of the cross as we say the great prayer, We say: as we move one hand to touch our forehead, saying the words," In the name of the Father", then we lower our hand to touch our breast and say “And of the Son”, then we say the words as we cross out chest with one hand to touch one shoulder than the other, saying:“And of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” That is the first thing we do as Catholics.

Then as we enter the church, before we go into the pew, we genuflect on one knee if the Blessed Sacrament is behind the doors of the Tabernacle as a sign of respect and adoration of Christ the King…or we kneel on two knees when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed as during Adoration.

Usually for funerals, the priest will greet the funeral procession at the entrance of the church, sprinkle Holy Water on the casket as a white funeral pall is placed over the coffin…to remind us of our link also to baptism and that we have put on Christ.

If you listen carefully to the words of the prayers recited you will understand this wonderful funeral rite.

At the end of the funeral mass, the coffin may also be incensed with “holy smoke” as we pray that the angels will lead our faithfully departed to Paradise.

There is also a beautiful funeral committal done by the priest or deacon at the cemetery before the body is interred to the ground or mauseleum or the ashes are placed in a columbarian or in the ground as well.

It is also a spiritual work of mercy, to bury our dead.

diocese-sdiego.org/Handbook/Handbook_PDFs/Liturgy8.pdf

This is a very complete explanation of the Catholic funeral rites.
it is good that you are learning about our Catholic tradtions. You are very welcome anytime.