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Marie5890
Guest
My first reaction?
I was completely lost following it because it is so ritualistic.
I was completely lost following it because it is so ritualistic.
- Status
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Indifferently
Guest
Aren’t you Orthodox? Isn’t that the Orthodox position also?
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andrewstx
Guest
Not at all, Orthodox Christians as well as Catholic Christians do no think they are the only Christians as do the “churches of Christ”.
According to cofC logic everyone that existed during the “great apostocy” is in hell until they “restored” Christianity back into existence in 1906.
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gracia
Guest
I do… My parish has about 2000 every weekend… over 4 masses. at the next RIO WYD they are estimating 4 million youth, extrapolate to their friends and family and at the very least say they all have 200 people per parish, that’s 800,000,000… and those who cant come or afford… whoa billion easy
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Rmac81
Guest
I’ve been Catholic for almost 8 months now; previously I attended a Baptist church.
The first time I attended a Mass, I was really confused and felt out of place. Not to mention, I was still harboring some of my strong negative feelings toward Catholicism that I was brought up with.
Once I decided that the Catholic Church was the true church, everything flipped instantly for me. My husband was the one who started looking into Catholicism, and I was hoping it was just a phase. But after attending inquiry and finding out that many of the things I was taught to believe about the Catholic church were not true, I had a decision to make.
Over the next month, I kept feeling a “nagging” to read the book of Revelation. So I did. And Revelation 4: 8-11 is the scripture that instantly led to my conversion.
I see what happens at Mass as being what happens in Heaven. So, Mass for me isn’t about me: it doesn’t matter if the priest is unlikable, if the homily is dull, if the music isn’t my taste, because the Mass is all for God. I’m there to worship him–and knowing that makes all the difference.
The first time I attended a Mass, I was really confused and felt out of place. Not to mention, I was still harboring some of my strong negative feelings toward Catholicism that I was brought up with.
Once I decided that the Catholic Church was the true church, everything flipped instantly for me. My husband was the one who started looking into Catholicism, and I was hoping it was just a phase. But after attending inquiry and finding out that many of the things I was taught to believe about the Catholic church were not true, I had a decision to make.
Over the next month, I kept feeling a “nagging” to read the book of Revelation. So I did. And Revelation 4: 8-11 is the scripture that instantly led to my conversion.
I see what happens at Mass as being what happens in Heaven. So, Mass for me isn’t about me: it doesn’t matter if the priest is unlikable, if the homily is dull, if the music isn’t my taste, because the Mass is all for God. I’m there to worship him–and knowing that makes all the difference.
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57Bill
Guest
I’d pick up a copy of Scott Hahn’s “The Lambs Supper” to help you with this.
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Razanir
Guest
FWIW, I’ll say aymen, but sing ahmen
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Netty1
Guest
Maybe where you live.
Our church is full to the brim for two out of the three Sunday Masses, even the third one is about 1/2 full. (the church holds about 700-900 depending on whether the side chapels are put to use)
The same is true of the other 3 RC churches within 5 miles of us. I don’t want to get into a contest about it, but you cannot judge the numnbers of the RC church in the UK by the sadly falling numbers in the C of E.
And sure, numbers are variable world-wide, but the last figures I read reported that the RCC is growing not shrinking.
I do not doubt your word and feel sorry that those Catholics you know have fallen away.
I also feel sad that, based what you say, you have only a rather narrow glimpse of Catholic life to inform your judgement of the health of RC congregations in the UK. I would willingly show you a healthier picture and can give a list of dozens of churches to visit across the country where you will see Roman Catholics quietly going about their spiritual business.
The numbers in my parish have been steady for decades, people move in and out of the neighbourhood so while the make-up may change slightly, the numbers don’t.
I get a feeling of bitterness coming from you, and (just guessing here, I could be wrong) that feeling may be because of the parlous state of the C of E which is ripping itself to pieces with no firm hand on the tiller. I pray for you and your church.
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Catholic_Wife
Guest
MattofTexas, my first Mass experience was in boot camp when I was 20 years old, and it was tailored to the young recruits (lively music and full participation). I was in awe of the fact that, despite the upbeat nature of the Mass, there was a point that it got quiet and reverent. It was pretty much my first experience with ANY church, so that took a while to get used to, but I felt right at home from my very first Mass (despite not knowing any of the responses). It was comforting in a way that the order of Mass was the same, because it helped me to adjust and know what was coming (anxiety issues). And there is nothing like walking into the building and immediately feeling the Real Presence surround you like a warm blanket.
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NoBama
Guest
why arnt you catholic yet?I’ve gone to Mass a few times. I’ve attended a Protestant church since last May.
What I love about Mass:
*pure devotion to our Lord
*worshiping as a unit (body of Christ) but with that devotion can also be quite personal
*kneeling - throwing yourself down before the Lord is amazing
*worshiping will all of your body (I don’t take Eucharist but instead pray for those who partake)
*the pureness of the “sermon” (liturgy?), no distortion or twisting/grasping straws to apply it to modern life
*the music is breathtaking (the words are focused on God)
*there’s more but can’t list every single thing
What I could change about Mass:
*It’s only an hour?
Going to the Protestant church leaves me thirsty for Christ despite that church proclaiming the gospel. Leaving Mass, I feel full. 'Nuff said.…especially when I go 1/2 hour early to pray the rosary with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
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RebeccaJ
Guest
Good morning,
The first Mass I went to was a daily (during the week) 8AM Mass. There were maybe ten people there. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, and at the time was an atheist, so I just sat there quietly. What I liked about that first Mass were the prayers, the nice lady who for some reason turned around and greeted me with a “peace be with you”
and the morning sun shining through the stained glass.I decided to go to a Sunday Mass after that, and did so for about a year before I started looking for an RCIA class to join. I had no intention of converting. I just wanted to learn what Catholicism was all about.
I felt out of place for a good 9 months at least. Mainly because I had this idea that everyone could tell I didn’t believe, and maybe I was messing it up for others just by being there. That changed when the priest gave a homily where he said that everyone belonged at Mass, no matter where they were on their own journey.
It helps with the “scripted” feel to read what everything is all about, as we aren’t doing stuff just do stuff. Every minute has meaning.
Peace be with you.
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plainatheart71
Guest
The first Mass we went to I was watching everything, trying to figure it all out. But I was blown away. Completely blown away by the majesty and the reverence. Of how Christ-centered it was. By the end when we left I was in tears at the beauty of it. And now, over a year later, I still have a sense of awe when I think of going. I am at a place now where I am hungry for more. More of the Mass, more of the real presence of Jesus, more of confession, more of it all. We live an hour from our parish so right now I can’t go to daily Mass but if we lived closer I would make every attempt to.
I also want to start attending adoration. Ours is every Friday from 8 am-Saturday 8 am.
We are in RCIA right now, with annulments being processed to hopefully be able to join at Easter. I am really getting a hunger for the Eucharist also.
I also want to start attending adoration. Ours is every Friday from 8 am-Saturday 8 am.
We are in RCIA right now, with annulments being processed to hopefully be able to join at Easter. I am really getting a hunger for the Eucharist also.
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nhylan
Guest
I am not a convert but I do work in the Catholic Church as a professional singer. I enjoy experiencing the Mass every week. Coming from a background of converting to Anglicanism and working in an Episcopal Church for several years I found the new mass translation a little unsettling, but that is to be expected. I understand why they made the changes, I don’t necessarily agree with them but hey, they don’t pay me to think, they pay me to sing.
I like the disciplined approach of the Catholic mass a little bit more than in your average Episcopal Eucharist (and the bells, I love the bells) but I do miss the prayer book and the hymnal. Oddly enough I also miss the incense but that’s on a church by church basis.
I like the disciplined approach of the Catholic mass a little bit more than in your average Episcopal Eucharist (and the bells, I love the bells) but I do miss the prayer book and the hymnal. Oddly enough I also miss the incense but that’s on a church by church basis.
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GraceSofia
Guest
Matt, I think it is normal to have mixed feelings. I was delighted to find such reverence and all the focus on God (my protestant church had gotten too much into being entertaining). Then I found that the Mass is all scriptural. I was just blown away. I also liked the seriousness of the pastor. And the feeling of holiness and prayer in the church.
However, I was very nervous for a long time. That is my own personal problem-- I am too self-conscious. I always worry people are looking at me.
So I memorised the Nicene Creed right away (also because I just LOVE it) and most of the other responses as fast as I could— except, to be honest, the Gloria I never learned.The beauty of corporate prayer when you know the words is so uplifting because you don’t have to worry about thinking of words, you can really pray them with your soul.
I remember one time, after I’d gone for several weeks, I got to the church and just freaked out in the parking lot before I even got out of the car for some reason. I felt so weird and lost and confused. I just left without going inside.
I am not sure what that was all about, but I strongly suspect it was an attack from the devil.Then after several months, I went through a phase of thinking I was going to vomit every time I looked at the corpus on the cross, but that is a different topic. Just to let you know, though, that it is a huge paradigm shift when you convert. Worlds collide.
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ffg
Guest
Great thread,
I love converts. I have all kinds of convert cd’s / other lighthouse media stuff right here. So motivating.
I love watching the journey. Everyone searches at some point in their lives, even cradle Catholics with the revert stories.
With regard to following along at mass, there are some new technologies, and old to help.
I find most catholics don’t know how to use a missal, though in defense for many, the missal’s in each church can be different and include less or more.
The Missal can have as much as everything from the start with the sign of the cross, to the final prayer in many of them. Most people, if using them, use it to follow along during the readings only.
I think there are some apps for missal’s. I know we bought a missal app which my wife said she just used when she went to a church that didn’t have the readings in their missal.
I really got into understanding what was going on when I could see that I could follow right along the whole mass in the missal. I like to follow along during the Eucharistic prayer especially (first kneel down).
I did buy at the local Catholic bookstore the full 3 year cycle missal for my kids. I think we have one that is only Sunday’s too. This reminded me that I need to buy some more.
I love converts. I have all kinds of convert cd’s / other lighthouse media stuff right here. So motivating.
I love watching the journey. Everyone searches at some point in their lives, even cradle Catholics with the revert stories.
With regard to following along at mass, there are some new technologies, and old to help.
I find most catholics don’t know how to use a missal, though in defense for many, the missal’s in each church can be different and include less or more.
The Missal can have as much as everything from the start with the sign of the cross, to the final prayer in many of them. Most people, if using them, use it to follow along during the readings only.
I think there are some apps for missal’s. I know we bought a missal app which my wife said she just used when she went to a church that didn’t have the readings in their missal.
I really got into understanding what was going on when I could see that I could follow right along the whole mass in the missal. I like to follow along during the Eucharistic prayer especially (first kneel down).
I did buy at the local Catholic bookstore the full 3 year cycle missal for my kids. I think we have one that is only Sunday’s too. This reminded me that I need to buy some more.
K
KendraDZ1902
Guest
Technically, I attended my first Mass when I was a little girl, so I definitely didn’t understand a lot of what was going on. It was definitely different from the Church services I was used to.
The first Mass on my journey to wanting to convert was in May. I felt at home. I did google and read a lot about the Mass before I attended, though. So, I knew the reasons for what was being done. My husband, on the otherhand, didn’t understand anything. haha.
The first Mass on my journey to wanting to convert was in May. I felt at home. I did google and read a lot about the Mass before I attended, though. So, I knew the reasons for what was being done. My husband, on the otherhand, didn’t understand anything. haha.
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Denise1957
Guest
It definately took me awhile to get used to it. I didn’t love it at all, mostly it was just confusing. And it bugged me that they had such reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary (that later changed drastically. I now consider her as my second mom).
But the motivation to keep attending came from not wanting to go back to the horrid rock and roll Methodist church I’d been attending (not all Methodist churches have horrid rock n’ roll, of course). I just wanted a peaceful form of worship, and thought that a Catholic parish might have that - and it did. I still remember the first time I attended Mass, which is in my neighborhood (now there’s a Latin Mass there, too, which I now attend). It felt a little like going to a foreign country. But even though it took some time to get the routine, the Catholics there seemed not to judge me at all for not getting it right away. Also, there’s something soothing and comforting about having a routine, once you get used to it, though I can’t explain why, really.
Also, I had no intention of converting at all when I first attended, but since I was there anyway - I listened carefully to the homilies, and found that they made a lot of sense. And it was just a simple and humble priest, for whom English was a second language, who was there at the time. You might want to consider reading G.K. Chesteron’s book on conversion. It’s quite humerous and insightful, even if you have no interest in converting.
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Kal2012
Guest
Mixed.
I found myself feeling more challenged intellectually by the homilies and I was used to just fluff. So, I end up feeling more fed after I leave Mass, but I’m still learning and it’s not rote yet…however, I’ve learned how to use my Missal and it’s hard to believe that more people don’t use it because it’s so handy for following along.
I often go w/my 4 yo son, so while I’m learning, he’s learning too. So, it’s hard to really relax and worship and make sure his feet aren’t running up and down the pews. Yes, he’s an active little one.
Overall, change is just hard, but you get used to it.
I found myself feeling more challenged intellectually by the homilies and I was used to just fluff. So, I end up feeling more fed after I leave Mass, but I’m still learning and it’s not rote yet…however, I’ve learned how to use my Missal and it’s hard to believe that more people don’t use it because it’s so handy for following along.
I often go w/my 4 yo son, so while I’m learning, he’s learning too. So, it’s hard to really relax and worship and make sure his feet aren’t running up and down the pews. Yes, he’s an active little one.
Overall, change is just hard, but you get used to it.
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10thCrusader
Guest
I don’t want to sound like I’m a Scott Hahn clone, but what struck me the first time I attended Mass was how “Biblical” it was. I had been a serious Bible student for many years, and during the Mass a lot more of the Bible started to make sense. :newidea:
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simspt
Guest
I converted to Catholicism 2 years ago and my initial experience was very similar to what you have written above. I was pleasantly surprised to see how the Mass was packed with Scripture from beginning to end. I was also impressed with the reverence I witnessed among the laity and priests. On the other hand I was surprised by how short the homily was and felt extremely awkward not knowing the different parts of the Mass the congregation takes part in. Since the primary doctrine or belief that my conversion revolved around was the Eucharist I found myself very eager to learn about the history behind the Mass. This was something that helped me appreciate the liturgy all the more. For me it was learning about the history of the Mass and the significance behind every part of it. A couple of good resources that you might find helpful are
- A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy
amazon.com/Biblical-Walk-Through-Mass-Book/dp/1935940007
2.The History of the Mass
Fr. John F. Baldovin, S.J., Ph.D.
Code:
Professor, Boston College School of Theology
Past President, N. American Academy of Liturgy
Ph.D., Yale University- Status