Asking to attend Mass with a Catholic?

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wantingtoknow

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I’m not exactly where to post this question- I hope I am in the correct place.

Anyway, I’m a Protestant teenager (Disciples of Christ) and I am finding myself drawn toward the Catholic faith. I have not been to a Mass, ever. I would like to go and experience it for myself firsthand. I would feel more comfortable, I think, attending Mass with someone I know who knows what to do when.

So, my question is this: It is okay to ask to attend Mass with someone (a friend, adult)? She has told me that she is Catholic (it came up in conversation) but I have not expressed my desires to explore the Catholic faith. I am a little worried that she may think I am just trying to be like her, but I’ve actually been considering this longer than I have known her. So, how should I bring up the subject, if I should at all?

Thank you so much. :blessyou:
 
Yes! You should go! It’s just, may I kindly remind you, that, since you are not Catholic, you can not recieve our Lord in the Eucharist. Yes, you should go, explore the truth! More than likely, she will not think you are copying(sp?) her.

It is PERFECTLY okay!
God Bless you in your journey to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the True Church. I will pray for you and your conversion!
 
LoyalViews said:
Yes! You should go! It’s just, may I kindly remind you, that, since you are not Catholic, you can not recieve our Lord in the Eucharist. Yes, you should go, explore the truth! More than likely, she will not think you are copying(sp?) her.

It is PERFECTLY okay!
God Bless you in your journey to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the True Church. I will pray for you and your conversion!
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I guess maybe my question was a bit…stupid. I just want to make sure to tread carefully and not do anything to offend anyone.
 
to your surprise, you may find that she would feel complimented on the idea of going to Mass with you, I know I would 🙂
 
wantingtoknow, first, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. In fact, I thought it was very wise of you to ask. If you tell your friend just what you said here - that you want to attend Mass with someone you know, it’ll be fine.

Let us know how it goes!
 
LoyalViews said:
Yes! You should go! It’s just, may I kindly remind you, that, since you are not Catholic, you can not recieve our Lord in the Eucharist. Yes, you should go, explore the truth! More than likely, she will not think you are copying(sp?) her.

It is PERFECTLY okay!
God Bless you in your journey to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the True Church. I will pray for you and your conversion!
Click to expand...
Agreed – it’s definitely okay for anyone to attend Mass (though not to take Holy Communion unless you are a Catholic). Please, though, expect it to be very different from a Protestant service, and don’t feel bad that you don’t know all of the responses and so on that people make during the Mass. No one will be able to tell that you aren’t saying them, and even if they could, they would just figure that you were visiting, which is common enough. As to sitting/standing/kneeling, it will be easy for you to follow along with what everyone else does. Sometimes non-Catholics are worried about kneeling during Mass because they find it too worshipful a gesture for a religion they don’t belong to (I wouldn’t prostrate myself on the ground at a mosque, for instance), and if that’s the case you can remain sitting, but please scoot forward in your pew or else it’s difficult for the person behind you to kneel. Just a couple of practical tips.

I also hope this is the first step on your journey to Rome, but even if not I’m glad you’re open to learning and dialoguing. God bless!
 
Oh most certainly GO! Like someone already mentioned, however, it would not be appropriate for you to present yourself for reception of the Eucharist, but most assuredly go and partake of the Spirit of the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Keep an open mind and soul and ask God that His Spirit may attend your experience.

Feel free to ask us questions (or your friend) if you find yourself confused (which is very probable) or curious. 🙂

For those who are unfamiliar, the Mass can be confusing and even overwhelming with all of it gestures.

One thing to keep in mind when you go is to remember Jesus was Hebrew, and there are echos of that thru the Mass. 👍
 
MarkThompson said:
Agreed – it’s definitely okay for anyone to attend Mass (though not to take Holy Communion unless you are a Catholic). Please, though, expect it to be very different from a Protestant service, and don’t feel bad that you don’t know all of the responses and so on that people make during the Mass. No one will be able to tell that you aren’t saying them, and even if they could, they would just figure that you were visiting, which is common enough. As to sitting/standing/kneeling, it will be easy for you to follow along with what everyone else does. Sometimes non-Catholics are worried about kneeling during Mass because they find it too worshipful a gesture for a religion they don’t belong to (I wouldn’t prostrate myself on the ground at a mosque, for instance), and if that’s the case you can remain sitting, but please scoot forward in your pew or else it’s difficult for the person behind you to kneel. Just a couple of practical tips.

I also hope this is the first step on your journey to Rome, but even if not I’m glad you’re open to learning and dialoguing. God bless!
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I think I would feel comfortable kneeling during the service, I would be more uncomfortable sitting, most likely! I want to get as full of an experience as possible (minus the Eucharist, of course). Thank you for the good information…I certainly hope that this is my first step in my journey.
 
Just a thought

Even if you don’t end up going to Mass with THIS friend, you may wish to contact a parish nearby about attending RCIA.

It’s a no-obligation course on Catholicism for non-Catholics.

God Bless and Happy Easter
 
If for any reason your going with a friend does not work out, you can still go alone. Sit in the back if that makes you comfortable, and you can kneel, sit, or stand as the others do if you feel okay doing so.

Don’t let it bother you if you do not know how to use the missal, or if you would rather not sing.

God bless!
 
uxordepp said:
Just a thought

Even if you don’t end up going to Mass with THIS friend, you may wish to contact a parish nearby about attending RCIA.

It’s a no-obligation course on Catholicism for non-Catholics.

God Bless and Happy Easter
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RCIA classes are hopefully going to be my next step (assuming I want to move forward after visiting Mass one time or a few times). I’m not even sure I would attend the same church as my friend (there are ones closer to me) but I might feel more comfortable that way (my parents will most likely not be journeying with me).
 
wantingtoknow said:
RCIA classes are hopefully going to be my next step (assuming I want to move forward after visiting Mass one time or a few times). I’m not even sure I would attend the same church as my friend (there are ones closer to me) but I might feel more comfortable that way (my parents will most likely not be journeying with me).
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RCIA is a wonderful program for those who are unfamiliar with the Catholic church. Very non-threatening, no-pressure. It gives you time to explore your thoughts, concerns, personal baggage etc.

I was very blessed with the RCIA team that was part of my parish when I began my journey into the church. Very “St. Paul”-esque in their way of dealing with those of us who were inquiring!

👍

There is no pressure, no hassle, very “come as you are and lets talk about where you are at” in your spiritual journey.

Vital when one is coming to the Lord.

Blessings to you!
 
I’m not sure I know how to explain why I want to explore/convert to Catholicism. What I mean is, I feel like I am being drawn toward it by a power I am not in control of. It makes me feel emotional…it’s a feeling I’ve never had before. It’s strong.

But I don’t know the facts. I don’t really know what Catholic belief entails. So I am afraid someone will ask, “What do you believe about Catholicism that makes you want to convert?” I don’t think I could answer that question, and that it would cause me to seem to be acting blindly and without thinking.
 
wantingtoknow said:
I’m not sure I know how to explain why I want to explore/convert to Catholicism. What I mean is, I feel like I am being drawn toward it by a power I am not in control of. It makes me feel emotional…it’s a feeling I’ve never had before. It’s strong.

But I don’t know the facts. I don’t really know what Catholic belief entails. So I am afraid someone will ask, “What do you believe about Catholicism that makes you want to convert?” I don’t think I could answer that question, and that it would cause me to seem to be acting blindly and without thinking.
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Just tell them that you feel strongly that the Holy Spirit is drawing you to the Church, and that you are eager to find out more about it. That, after all, is the truth, and everyone will understand that. 🙂
 
wantingtoknow said:
I’m not sure I know how to explain why I want to explore/convert to Catholicism. What I mean is, I feel like I am being drawn toward it by a power I am not in control of. It makes me feel emotional…it’s a feeling I’ve never had before. It’s strong.

But I don’t know the facts. I don’t really know what Catholic belief entails. So I am afraid someone will ask, “What do you believe about Catholicism that makes you want to convert?” I don’t think I could answer that question, and that it would cause me to seem to be acting blindly and without thinking.
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A simple answer to that question would be that Christ Himself started the Catholic Church. He told Peter, the first Pope, that He would build ONE Church and the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. You would greatly benefit by not only attending a Catholic Mass and being able to receive Christ, but you would also benefit by converting to Catholicism. That power you’re not in controll of is clearly God trying to show you what Church He would much rather you attend.
 
Go to this site:

catholic.com/

and scroll down to the box that says “Library”…there will be Catholic topics you can click onto and learn about.
 
Sorry, I keep thinking of questions that need to be asked and hopefully answered. I think I may be worrying myself too much at this point…but here it goes:

If my parents are both Protestant, and I, a minor (16) wish to enter the Catholic church, can I? Or will I not be allowed to until I reach 18? Because I’m quite sure my parents will not convert with me.
 
wantingtoknow said:
Sorry, I keep thinking of questions that need to be asked and hopefully answered. I think I may be worrying myself too much at this point…but here it goes:

If my parents are both Protestant, and I, a minor (16) wish to enter the Catholic church, can I? Or will I not be allowed to until I reach 18? Because I’m quite sure my parents will not convert with me.
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I am not certain, maybe someone else will know for sure. But, if you have to wait till you are eighteen, then you can read, pray, and study meanwhile, and become quite knowledgable about the Catholic faith.
 
wantingtoknow said:
Sorry, I keep thinking of questions that need to be asked and hopefully answered. I think I may be worrying myself too much at this point…but here it goes:

If my parents are both Protestant, and I, a minor (16) wish to enter the Catholic church, can I? Or will I not be allowed to until I reach 18? Because I’m quite sure my parents will not convert with me.
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You definitely can 🙂 The Church has no “minor laws” because we’re universal, not just in America. We actually have a defined “age of reason” which is about seven, and that’s the age kids are that they can receive the Eucharist for the first time.

God must think very highly of you that He’s nudging you to do something so big! 😉 I’m so excited for you!

Keep in mind, some parishes are more devout than others. The best indicator of a bad parish is whether or not people chat loudly in the church before/after Mass, so that it’s tough to pray. You might be happier in a parish that is more devout and knows the teachings of the Church better. Also parishes involved in pro-life work tend to be good ones too! Just some advice 🙂

Blessings!
Ljubim
 
If your parents object to you becoming Catholic you may have to wait until you’re 18. This might mean that you would have to delay your entry into the church for a year after you complete the RCIA process. But if they’re willing for you to convert, they certainly don’t have to do so with you. They don’t incur any financial obligations if you become a member of the parish even if you are under age (some people have a concern about this).

If you can go to a Catholic bookstore, ask for a booklet that will let you follow the mass and will give you the responses the people make. There will be a missalette or some book in the pews but they often involve flipping back and forth and can be confusing to a newcomer. If you can’t get one of those, just watch and listen and follow along when the other people stand and sit.
 
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