Bringing a Protestant to Mass

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MariD

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Hi everyone! I was wondering if I could get some advice on a situation that’s come up for me.

I’m studying music in school and I had a friend ask me to write a short Mass setting for his youth camp to sing, so I did. This is my first composition that will ever be “performed” and I wanted to invite some friends and family to attend. This isn’t a problem because they’re all Catholic, except for my friend Nancy. She is Protestant, but I’m not sure what Protestant religion she follows.

So my question is: What would be the best way to broach the subject, and explain to her clearly and charitably, that Holy Communion in the Catholic church is only for Catholics?

Thanks,
MariD♫
 
Just ask if she knows that catholics have “closed communion” (many protestant churches openly state they have “open communion”). Don’t make too big of a deal, since she probably already knows… a casual question would make it unthreatening.
 
MariD,

Usually inside the back or front of the Missal in Church there is a Statement regading this. Check it out, it is charitable and concise. 👍

God’s Love,
Bob
 
We do it because we care about them. We believe that if you eat or drink the Eucharist without realizing it is now Jesus is a mortal and grave sin causing liability of going to hell. If they still have questions on why they can’t 1 Corinthians Chapter 11

Popular Protestant Bible of it:
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the
night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same
way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this
bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore,
whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be
guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine
himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and
drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on
himself.” (NIV)

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord
Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given
thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: do
this in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye
do show the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and
drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself,
not discerning the Lord’s body.” (KJV)
 
Some protestants also have closed communion, it may not be a new concept to her. In my area they offer a blessing to any who may not receive communion. Also, if it is a problem, let her know that some Catholics aren’t allowed to receive because of lifestyle choices.
 
As long as your friend understands that she cannot go up for Communion and that only baptized Catholics in a state of grace are allowed to receive. I sincerely hope she will not have an issue with that, and I know I would not go up to receive if I was invited to a Protestant church that offers Communion.
 
Thanks, everyone! These were all really helpful posts, I appreciate your assistance in this! 😃
 
MissRose73 said:
As long as your friend understands that she cannot go up for Communion and that only baptized Catholics in a state of grace are allowed to receive. I sincerely hope she will not have an issue with that, and I know I would not go up to receive if I was invited to a Protestant church that offers Communion.
Click to expand...
It isn’t a SIN to bring a Protestant to a Catholic Liturgy; however, they can just OBSERVE;
however THEY cannot receive COMMUNION because they do not believe it is the BODY and BLOOD of CHRIST.
 
Being a former Protestant, I think it is a wonderful idea to invite her. I suggest that you bring a missel so that she can follow the mass. Have someone stand by her so she understands what is happening and when to stand, sit and kneel. As for communion, you can explain that noncatholics cannot go up for the host but they can go up for a blessing. When they see the priest they cross their arms and put them on their shoulders and the priest will give them a blessing. I did this for two years before I became a Catholic. If the priest decides to give her the host anyhow, although it is wrong, it is also up to his discression. I had that happen a few times and I refused it because I was waiting until my confirmation.
 
MariD said:
Hi everyone! I was wondering if I could get some advice on a situation that’s come up for me.

I’m studying music in school and I had a friend ask me to write a short Mass setting for his youth camp to sing, so I did. This is my first composition that will ever be “performed” and I wanted to invite some friends and family to attend. This isn’t a problem because they’re all Catholic, except for my friend Nancy. She is Protestant, but I’m not sure what Protestant religion she follows.

So my question is: What would be the best way to broach the subject, and explain to her clearly and charitably, that Holy Communion in the Catholic church is only for Catholics?

Thanks,
MariD♫
Click to expand...
It don’t get no clearer , concise , and to the point then what you all ready said " Holy Communion in the Catholic church is only for Catholics"
 
Jim~ Thanks, I know it’s a sin, that’s why I’m going to tell her she can’t receive.

SecretGarden~ Thanks, it’s nice to hear from a former Protestant’s perspective of things. I was planning on sitting with her myself, and having a missal for her, to make the experience as positive as possible. I figured since I was the one who invited her it would only be proper to sit with her in case she has any questions. 🙂

Emcee~ Thanks, I guess sometime you just need someone to point out the obvious. 😉
 
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