A few questions regarding Catholic mass

[darrenforster99]

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions regarding Catholic mass that have never been fully answered to me but I would like to know, I wonder if anyone can help me out here…

Firstly I was baptised Church of England, went to a C of E primary school, and later a “generic” high school. During my time at high school I used to regularly go to Christian Union meetings, and also had many more friends at the local Catholic High School instead of the people I had at my own high school. I also found out then that most people who were at Christian Union meetings were Catholic (actually one kid there told me that I shouldn’t go to CU if I’m not Catholic, I checked with the teacher who run CU and he told me it’s ok to go to CU if your not Catholic and it’s good, but it’s rare for someone who isn’t Catholic to be interested in God enough to want to give up a lunch time to go to Christian Union).

Prior to all of this though I’d always had a bit of an interest in Catholicism, as even though I went to a C of E primary school I had quite a few friends at the local Catholic primary school, and then at High School I ended up with more friends from the Catholic high school than from my own high school. It was strange, the friends at the Catholic high school seemed to ignore the fact I was a little bit different (I have Asperger’s (Autism) and ADHD), where as the kids at the “generic” high school just wanted to make my life difficult and where not interested in being friends.

I wanted to change to Catholicism then, and also change schools, but was unable to as my dad didn’t seem to like the Catholic faith and prevented me from changing.

When I left home and went to University I decided now was the right time to change, I was away from my dad and like it or not there wasn’t anything he could do about it (my mum and dad had also split up by then and my mum was more than happy for me to become Catholic).

I first went to a Catholic Society meeting at University and was amazed at how friendly everyone was. It was just like being back with my friends that I’d made at St Gregory’s High School too. It was great I felt really relaxed and no-one bothered about my weird autistic traits, they just accepted me for who I was. We had mass and then regular meetings and formed nice friendships together.

I then got confirmed into the Catholic church. After leaving University though I continued to go to mass, however got quite frightened by the difference between the normal mass in a church and the one that I’d got used to at University.

At University we very rarely made the sign of the cross, or kneeled before sitting down, or touched the holy water at the front of the church. Suddenly there was all these extra things which I’d never been introduced to (the mass at University was held in a house that had been turned into a multi-faith centre). Of course all these extra things make me panic a bit when going to mass (especially being slightly autistic) I get really worked up, am I doing the mass right, am I remembering to make the sign of the cross at the right time etc.

I wonder if anyone can help me then

A lot of what I’ve learned I’ve learned by copying other people in church and am never too sure whether or not I’m doing it right…

Firstly upon entering the church I copy everyone else who dips there fingers in the holy water at the front and then makes the sign of the cross, is this right? I’ve heard this is like a “baptism” renewal

Then before taking a seat I notice some people just sit down and others kneel before entering the pews, which is correct?

Before taking communion is it right that you should say amen before receiving the bread and the wine, this is a little difficult for me as being autistic I struggle to speak in situations and get really worked up at this point. Is it ok if sometimes I find myself not being able to say the word amen (I also struggle a bit with some of the other responses as well).

After taking communion I notice some people continue to kneel, and some sit back up which is correct?

Also when I was at University I was told that you can only take communion once a week, and that if you go to two masses in a week the second mass you don’t go and get the bread and wine again, but on Easter Saturday I went to the Easter Vigil and then went to the Easter Sunday service, afterwards I asked someone else about this she told me that she thought you can take communion twice as she worked in a Catholic school where they had mass on Wednesday and on Sunday so they would have communion twice in a week.

Many thanks for the answers.

 

[PJM]

=darrenforster99;5068948]Hi everyone,

Dear friend in Christ,

THANK YOU for sharing your story. Very well done.:clapping:

First we must explain that most of what you question are issues of personal piety. Many are based on Sacred Tradition, and some are tecnnically, optional.

Be ever mindfull that you are in the Very real Presence of the God that Created you, and act accordingly. Do not be concerned about what others do. This about you and your God:thumbsup:

Firstly upon entering the church I copy everyone else who dips there fingers in the holy water at the front and then makes the sign of the cross, is this right? I’ve heard this is like a “baptism” renewal

We dip our fingures in the water Font to remind us that we are part of the Catholic Community, and became such through the Sacrament of Baptism. We make the sign of the Cross to remind us that 1. We are in the presence of our God. 2. Of the Sacrifical Nature of the Mass, and 3. to unify our suffering with that of our Blessed Lord.

If we use 1 fingure (or the entire hand) it represents God
2 fingures represent the Divine and Human Natures od Christ
3 fingures represents the Trinity:thumbsup:

Then before taking a seat I notice some people just sit down and others kneel before entering the pews, which is correct?

Both or either. If a Tabernacle is present one should Genuflect upon entering the Chrish, exiting the Chruch, and every time one passes in front of the Tabernacle (Throne of our God.) This remains a current, valid and licit MANDATE, eventhough it is often ignored!

If a Tabernacle is present, one should (if one is physically able) kneel in front of the God that made us. Then one may sit.

Before taking communion is it right that you should say amen before receiving the bread and the wine, this is a little difficult for me as being autistic I struggle to speak in situations and get really worked up at this point. Is it ok if sometimes I find myself not being able to say the word amen (I also struggle a bit with some of the other responses as well).

Friend, God made you as you are, and He’d be pleased to know that in your HEART you give Him THANKS and praise. Don’t eorry about others. Mass is about you and your relationship with your God

After taking communion I notice some people continue to kneel, and some sit back up which is correct?

Again if one is physically able (not simply lazy) one should kneel.

Phil/ 2: “*g found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”. **

We are in the very presence of our God, do what your heart tells you is correct.

Also when I was at University I was told that you can only take communion once a week, and that if you go to two masses in a week the second mass you don’t go and get the bread and wine again, but on Easter Saturday I went to the Easter Vigil and then went to the Easter Sunday service, afterwards I asked someone else about this she told me that she thought you can take communion twice as she worked in a Catholic school where they had mass on Wednesday and on Sunday so they would have communion twice in a week.

Welcome home friend,

A a Blessed and Glorious Easter Sunday to you!

 

[wardrandolph]

=darrenforster99;5068948]Hi everyone,

 

[jmcrae]

A lot of what I’ve learned I’ve learned by copying other people in church and am never too sure whether or not I’m doing it right…

I know that feeling. I’m the same as you - I like to have a nice set of rules all laid out for me to follow, so that I know what to do. I remember one time I sat behind a Mom who was training her children on how to behave at Mass. I just do everything exactly as she taught her children. And yes, I am fully aware that there are variations permitted, and I never criticize what other people are doing, but I just do what she taught her kids (and me, without her realizing it.)

Firstly upon entering the church I copy everyone else who dips there fingers in the holy water at the front and then makes the sign of the cross, is this right?

Yes. You dip the two first fingers of your right hand into the water (this represents the union of Man and God in the Person of Christ), then touch your forehead, and silently say “In the name of the Father,” the centre of your chest area (“and of the Son”), your left shoulder (“and of the Holy Spirit”, and then finally, your right shoulder (“Amen.”)

I’ve heard this is like a “baptism” renewal.

Yep!

Then before taking a seat I notice some people just sit down and others kneel before entering the pews, which is correct?

As you are entering the Church, you will see a red lamp that signifies the place where Jesus is resting in the Tabernacle. To acknowledge His presence, bend your right knee all the way down to the floor (this bending of the knee is called “genuflecting”), at the moment that you pass by where the Tabernacle is. For some people, this moment happens when they are entering the pew, but if you pass by close to it before you get to your pew, then you would bend your knee at that time, instead of waiting until you get to your pew.

Before taking communion is it right that you should say amen before receiving the bread and the wine,

Yes, this “Amen” is very important - it shows that you believe that it is Jesus in the Eucharist.

this is a little difficult for me as being autistic I struggle to speak in situations and get really worked up at this point. Is it ok if sometimes I find myself not being able to say the word amen (I also struggle a bit with some of the other responses as well).

Just do your best. It will come with practice.

After taking communion I notice some people continue to kneel, and some sit back up which is correct?

Either is fine. The custom is to pray the Anima Christi prayer or some other short prayer in which you ask Jesus to conform you more and more to be like Him in every way. When you have finished your prayer, you can remain kneeling until the priest signals us to rise for the final prayer and blessing, or else you can sit up and join in the singing.

Also when I was at University I was told that you can only take communion once a week, and that if you go to two masses in a week the second mass you don’t go and get the bread and wine again, but on Easter Saturday I went to the Easter Vigil and then went to the Easter Sunday service, afterwards I asked someone else about this she told me that she thought you can take communion twice as she worked in a Catholic school where they had mass on Wednesday and on Sunday so they would have communion twice in a week.

Actually, we are even allowed to receive Holy Communion every day as long as we are in a state of grace, and up to twice a day as long as the second time in one day is at a Mass.

 

[darrenforster99]

Thank you everyone for all your excellent and fast responses.

Now I feel a lot more comfortable now that I’ve cleared up these few things I was unsure of.

Many thanks and Happy Easter.

Darren.

 

[DebChris]

I know that feeling. I’m the same as you - I like to have a nice set of rules all laid out for me to follow, so that I know what to do. I remember one time I sat behind a Mom who was training her children on how to behave at Mass. I just do everything exactly as she taught her children. And yes, I am fully aware that there are variations permitted, and I never criticize what other people are doing, but I just do what she taught her kids (and me, without her realizing it.)

Yes. You dip the two first fingers of your right hand into the water (this represents the union of Man and God in the Person of Christ), then touch your forehead, and silently say “In the name of the Father,” the centre of your chest area (“and of the Son”), your left shoulder (“and of the Holy Spirit”, and then finally, your right shoulder (“Amen.”)

Yep!

As you are entering the Church, you will see a red lamp that signifies the place where Jesus is resting in the Tabernacle. To acknowledge His presence, bend your right knee all the way down to the floor (this bending of the knee is called “genuflecting”), at the moment that you pass by where the Tabernacle is. For some people, this moment happens when they are entering the pew, but if you pass by close to it before you get to your pew, then you would bend your knee at that time, instead of waiting until you get to your pew.

Yes, this “Amen” is very important - it shows that you believe that it is Jesus in the Eucharist.

Just do your best. It will come with practice.

Either is fine. The custom is to pray the Anima Christi prayer or some other short prayer in which you ask Jesus to conform you more and more to be like Him in every way. When you have finished your prayer, you can remain kneeling until the priest signals us to rise for the final prayer and blessing, or else you can sit up and join in the singing.

Actually, we are even allowed to receive Holy Communion every day as long as we are in a state of grace, and up to twice a day as long as the second time in one day is at a Mass.

This is a great description of the reverence we are expected to show upon entering the church.
You will notice that some people bow, rather than genuflect, as they come to their pew. In some cases, this is how they were taught. For others it is for physical reasons. They may have bad knees. What is important, whether you bow or genuflect, is that the act be reverent. The act needs to be slow and deliberate.
If for any reason, you should cross in front of the altar, again bow or genuflect before the crucifix. Also make a sign of the cross while on your knee or in the bowed position.
The same act is performed if you approach the altar before turning back to your seat.

Receiving the Eucharist daily is not only allowed, it is encouraged as long as we are in a state of grace.

 

[thunderballs75]

Hello Darren ! Welcome to the Church! I’m glad you chose to join the Church which Jesus started 2000 years ago (yep, we can historically trace our lineage back to the first Church).

Firstly, I understand that it is hard to have asperger’s syndrome, because I knew somebody who had it.

1. Yes, you dip your hand in holy water and make the sign of the cross. This IS optional, but most choose to do it. You are correct, this is to remind yourself of your baptism.
2. In both cases (entering pew, and after Communion), you should kneel. On entering the pew, you kneel on your right knee. This is called a genuflection. It is to show respect for Jesus Christ in the tabernacle. After communion, you stay kneeled. This is also to show respect to Jesus in the Eucharist.
3. I know that in some cases with asperger’s, it is harder to talk to other people. But try your best to say “amen” before taking Communion. If you cannot, then you should talk to the priest beforehand so that he can understand your problem and won’t refuse you Communion.
4. You can take Communion once a day if you are not in a state of mortal sin and have not eaten any food for at least one hour prior to receiving it. If you are in a state of mortal sin, you should go to confession before taking Communion. I understand that this may be hard for you, so talk to your priest about this also. I guarantee he will do his best to help you with any of these question, or any others you may have.

I hope that this was helpful to you. God bless you brother, and happy Easter!

 

[Rawb]

A lot of what I’ve learned I’ve learned by copying other people in church and am never too sure whether or not I’m doing it right…

You want to know a huge secret in Catholicism? A LOT of people are doing this too!

When I first started going to Mass this was the advice given me; “Just do what everyone else is doing.” I hear people whisper it to others before Mass “Just do what everyone else is doing.” I see it on message boards all the time; “Just do what everyone else does.”

You’ve been given a lot of great answers, so I won’t add anything but that, and to say that God loves our best efforts, so He’s definitely pleased with your questions, that really speak to you trying to deepen your walk with Christ and further your understandings of Mass.

 

[darrenforster99]

Hello Darren ! Welcome to the Church! I’m glad you chose to join the Church which Jesus started 2000 years ago (yep, we can historically trace our lineage back to the first Church).

Thanks again for the great answers. I knew that the Catholic church was started by Jesus. After I turned to Catholicism I was really shocked to find out that my old religion (C of E) was only started because Henry VIII wanted a divorce (and to make it even worse he even banned all future rulers of the UK from being Catholic, hopefully though that law will be repealed soon and brought up to modern times!). After finding that out I thought to myself I made a really good decision to re-join our family into the Catholic church (I presume at one point before Henry VIII our family were possibly Catholic as we originated from Scotland and Ireland (I have a middle name of McLean, which I was given because we came from the McLean clan in Scotland, and my Grandma was from Ireland.))

Hopefully as well next year my sister might be joining the Catholic church, she asked to come to the mass with me on Easter Sunday and on the way down to the church she told me that she’d like to become Catholic next Easter.

 

[jmcrae]

This is a great description of the reverence we are expected to show upon entering the church.
You will notice that some people bow, rather than genuflect, as they come to their pew. In some cases, this is how they were taught. For others it is for physical reasons. They may have bad knees. What is important, whether you bow or genuflect, is that the act be reverent. The act needs to be slow and deliberate.
If for any reason, you should cross in front of the altar, again bow or genuflect before the crucifix. Also make a sign of the cross while on your knee or in the bowed position.
The same act is performed if you approach the altar before turning back to your seat.

It’s important to make a distinction between the Altar and the Tabernacle.

We genuflect (bend the knee) as we pass by or come before the Tabernacle, but if the Tabernacle is in a different place than the Altar, as we see in some churches, then we also bow (bend at the waist) before the Altar, for the sake of the Saints whose relics are buried in it, and because it is the place where Christ comes down to us from Heaven. But if the Tabernacle is behind or on the Altar, then it is sufficient to genuflect toward the Tabernacle, without also bowing.

 

[DebChris]

It’s important to make a distinction between the Altar and the Tabernacle.

We genuflect (bend the knee) as we pass by or come before the Tabernacle, but if the Tabernacle is in a different place than the Altar, as we see in some churches, then we also bow (bend at the waist) before the Altar, for the sake of the Saints whose relics are buried in it, and because it is the place where Christ comes down to us from Heaven. But if the Tabernacle is behind or on the Altar, then it is sufficient to genuflect toward the Tabernacle, without also bowing.

You are correct. I am used to the tabernacle always being behind the altar. My statement goes back to what I was taught as a child which was simply to genuflect (or bow) before the altar upon crossing, or if there was need to turn your back.

When it comes to receiving communion–The communicant says “Amen” to “Body of Christ.”
After receiving, bless yourself and return directly to your seat without genuflecting.You carry Christ with you. Any other time, genuflect (or bow) before entering.

Back to the altar. You have genuflected (bowed) before the altar. Turned you back. Walked to your pew. Turned again toward the front of the church. Genuflect and enter.

Much of this becomes automatic to the point that we as cradle Catholics don’'t really think about it.

 

[jmcrae]

You are correct. I am used to the tabernacle always being behind the altar. My statement goes back to what I was taught as a child which was simply to genuflect (or bow) before the altar upon crossing, or if there was need to turn your back.

It is the Tabernacle to which you are genuflecting - not the Altar. (Even though the Altar is in between you and the Tabernacle.)

When it comes to receiving communion–The communicant says “Amen” to “Body of Christ.”
After receiving, bless yourself and return directly to your seat without genuflecting.You carry Christ with you. Any other time, genuflect (or bow) before entering.

Right.

Back to the altar. You have genuflected (bowed) before the altar.

To the Tabernacle. Not to the Altar.

 

[DebChris]

It is the Tabernacle to which you are genuflecting - not the Altar. (Even though the Altar is in between you and the Tabernacle.)

Right.

To the Tabernacle. Not to the Altar.

That is understood. I was taught to look for the red light to see if the host was in the Tabernacle. If not the chapel could be used for purposes other than worship. Growing up in the military meant the chapel is shared by different denominations. The light was not always on.
While I may be genuflecting toward the Tabernacle, my focus has always been on the crucifix behind the altar. Again, I used the terminology given to me as a child which was that I not turn my back on the altar without genuflecting. Even if the host is not present in the tabernacle, I still genuflect (or bow) before the crucifix.

 

[jmcrae]

Even if the host is not present in the tabernacle, I still genuflect (or bow) before the crucifix.

Neither the Crucifix nor the Altar is God in Person. We genuflect only to the Tabernacle, and only when Jesus is in it, because Jesus is God. If God (Jesus) is not present, we do not genuflect - the reason is that we do not give worship to stone or to wood, but only to the living God (Jesus in the Tabernacle is God).

 

[DebChris]

Neither the Crucifix nor the Altar is God in Person. We genuflect only to the Tabernacle, and only when Jesus is in it, because Jesus is God. If God (Jesus) is not present, we do not genuflect - the reason is that we do not give worship to stone or to wood, but only to the living God (Jesus in the Tabernacle is God).

We could go back and forth on this. I know that we do not worship wood. I see beyond the wood to Christ who died on the cross for me. So it is indeed the living God, not the piece of wood that I worship and honor with my genuflection and Sign of the Cross…I cannot simply walk past.
There was a period of time when I was abhorred by the crucifix and could not gaze upon it. That changed and I learned to embrace the cross.
When I am distracted during Mass, I return my gaze to the crucifix. The same sense is not there in a church where the cross is empty.
Again, I pointed to what I was taught as a child. My mother taught me to make the sign of the cross simply in passing a church (which I no longer do) in recognition of the House of God.
There is a Pieta in the back of one of the local churches before which I will kneel. Seldom do I use words, but my prayer always ends with the sign of the cross before I turn from the statue.
It is proper for the family who brings forward the gifts to genuflect before returning to their seats, even in a church where the Tabernacle may be off to the side.

 

[jmcrae]

It is proper for the family who brings forward the gifts to genuflect before returning to their seats, even in a church where the Tabernacle may be off to the side.

Yes, and they are to genuflect towards the Tabernacle - not just any which direction.

The focus of the genuflexion is the Tabernacle. We bow towards the Altar, if the Altar is in a different direction from the Tabernacle.

(If you are genuflecting to a priest or Bishop in order to receive his blessing, you go down on your left knee, to differentiate this action from the genuflexion to the Tabernacle.)

 

[DebChris]

Yes, and they are to genuflect towards the Tabernacle - not just any which direction.

The focus of the genuflexion is the Tabernacle. We bow towards the Altar, if the Altar is in a different direction from the Tabernacle.

(If you are genuflecting to a priest or Bishop in order to receive his blessing, you go down on your left knee, to differentiate this action from the genuflexion to the Tabernacle.)

Of course, I was taught that all genuflections are made with the right knee. This was constantly stressed not only in the parochial school I attended, but also later during catechism classes. A genuflection on the left knew was never acceptable.
As I mentioned earlier, many people have knee problems and cannot genuflect at all. A reverent bow is always an alternative.

 

[Linda_Marie]

Hello Darren ! Welcome to the Church! I’m glad you chose to join the Church which Jesus started 2000 years ago (yep, we can historically trace our lineage back to the first Church).

Firstly, I understand that it is hard to have asperger’s syndrome, because I knew somebody who had it.

1. I know that in some cases with asperger’s, it is harder to talk to other people. But try your best to say “amen” before taking Communion. If you cannot, then you should talk to the priest beforehand so that he can understand your problem and won’t refuse you Communion.

As an EMHC, I can attest to the fact that many people omit to say, “Amen” before receiving Communion or perhaps they just say it so softly that I can’t hear them. We do not withhold Communion if we do not hear the “Amen”, so just do the best you can and rest easy. If you have said, ‘Amen’ in your heart, God will hear you.

 

[DebChris]

As an EMHC, I can attest to the fact that many people omit to say, “Amen” before receiving Communion or perhaps they just say it so softly that I can’t hear them. We do not withhold Communion if we do not hear the “Amen”, so just do the best you can and rest easy. If you have said, ‘Amen’ in your heart, God will hear you.

During the last EMCH training, we were instructed to say “Amen” ourselves for the person who forgot. I agree. God hears what is in your heart. As long as you approach with reverence, I would probably think I simply didn’t hear the “Amen” and no reminder would be necessary.