Can I attend a Catholic Mass just for the experience?

[dnu]

Due to too many factors, I don’t know that I could ever join the Catholic Church, but can I attend just to enjoy the experience? I love the Church’s architecture, bells, liturgy, silent reverence to the Almighty, hymnals sang to a pipe organ instead of rock music sang by a tattooed minister in a t-shirt, etc., etc.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Anyone is free to attend a Catholic Mass for any just reason they wish. Certainly wanting to enter into the worshipful atmosphere of a Catholic Mass is a just reason. Non-Catholic visitors need merely keep in mind that they may not ordinarily receive Communion. In every other respect though, they are free to participate as much or as little as they wish as congregants. If they don’t feel comfortable joining in Catholic gestures and postures (e.g., sign of the cross, kneeling), they need merely stand when the congregation stands and otherwise sit quietly.

If you are interested in becoming Catholic, I urge you not to believe that it is impossible to do so. Please speak to the pastor of your parish, or contact Catholic Answers for more personalized assistance. While joining the Church may take great sacrifice, it is ultimately possible for anyone who wishes to do so.

**Recommended reading:

How to Become a Catholic**