Do Catholics have to pray along with the Mass?

[AmosTown]

Did you go through full catechesis? (CCD or “Sunday School” for several years and reception of First Communion, Confirmation, etc.)

I think I’d like to look into it more. But there still seems to be 2 Catholic churches here. One that says you “must” pray to Mary and the saints in the mass and another that seems opposed to it.

That is really confusion

 

[brb3]

So if I’m baptized but don’t really believe parts of the mass and refuse to pray them I’m still a Catholic? What is confirmation for?

Were u ever Confirmed ? If not, be aware you are in need of !!

Confirmation COMPLETES your infant Baptism !!

 

[adf417]

Amos now you are amusing on multipul threads. How talanted!

Peace brother!!!

 

[Bookcat]

I think I’d like to look into it more. But there still seems to be 2 Catholic churches here. One that says you “must” pray to Mary and the saints in the mass and another that seems opposed to it.

That is really confusion

The Communion of Saints is part of the Catholic Faith

No “Catholic Church” can set aside such. Go to a Church in full communion with the Catholic Church

–one can seek out instructions, books, call the apologist line, talk with others like a Priest etc To clear away various misconceptions and learn more and more the Catholic Faith.

 

[Bookcat]

I believe in the communion of saints

1. What is the meaning of the “communion of saints”?

946-953
960

This expression indicates first of all the common sharing of all the members of the Church in holy things (sancta): the faith, the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the charisms, and the other spiritual gifts. At the root of this communion is love which “does not seek its own interests” (1 Corinthians 13:5) but leads the faithful to “hold everything in common” (Acts 4:32), even to put one’s own material goods at the service of the most poor.

1. What else does “the communion of saints” mean?

954-959
961-962

This expression also refers to the communion between holy persons (sancti); that is, between those who by grace are united to the dead and risen Christ. Some are pilgrims on the earth; others, having passed from this life, are undergoing purification and are helped also by our prayers. Others already enjoy the glory of God and intercede for us. All of these together form in Christ one family, the Church, to the praise and glory of the Trinity.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[brb3]

The only part of the Mass that I am aware of that invokes Mary and the saints (and the angels) directly is the Confiteor. And yes, when the priest chooses that option, the assembly is required to pray it with him. So yes, it is compulsory for Catholics to believe in and pray to the Communion of Saints.

You have to make the responses, you have to sing, you have to participate “fully, actively, and consciously” in the Mass in order to live up to the requirements of the Church.

Thank U …!!

A Catholic who can not in good conscience pray the Confetior has a massive hole in their spiritual formation !! You need to be re-Catechized, to remove the Protestant mal-instructions !

 

[brb3]

Thank you! It is required that Catholics pray the mass together as one body. I think that is very important, don’t you?

The mass is one collective prayer of the heart led by the priest but prayed together in common. That seems to be a great beauty. That is what I seemed to get out of the books I’ve been reading.

Yes !!! A 1000 x’s Yes !!

 

[Nita]

What if on purpose, by an act of free will, you refuse to say the Confiteor because you don’t believe in praying to Mary and the saints? Is that allowed?

If you are Catholic, and for some reason are having problems with the Church teaching regarding talking/praying to the saints, then I think you could eliminate saying those few lines until you got the problem resolved.

I will give a personal experience. There was a period where I had a real problem forgiving someone. Part of the Sunday Mass is reciting the “Our Father” - and of course, in that prayer we say to God “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. For some time I would not pray along when the bolded words were recited – because I would have been lying; I wanted God to forgive me better than I was able to forgive that person. (Praise God, He eventually gave me the grace to forgive.)
Now, because I did not recite that phrase did not mean that I did not fulfill my Sunday obligation to assist at Mass; it did not mean that the Mass was not an acceptable prayer of the Church because I did not fully participate; and it did not mean that I was no longer a Catholic.

Or “must” Catholics say it, ( unless by some accident as you point out above

It depends on what you mean by “must”.

 

[AmosTown]

Yes !!! A 1000 x’s Yes !!

Thank you!

 

[brb3]

Thank you! It is required that Catholics pray the mass together as one body. I think that is very important, don’t you?

The mass is one collective prayer of the heart led by the priest but prayed together in common. That seems to be a great beauty. That is what I seemed to get out of the books I’ve been reading.

If you are Catholic, and for some reason are having problems with the Church teaching regarding talking/praying to the saints, then I think you could eliminate saying those few lines until you got the problem resolved.

I will give a personal experience. There was a period where I had a real problem forgiving someone. Part of the Sunday Mass is reciting the “Our Father” - and of course, in that prayer we say to God “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. For some time I would not pray along when the bolded words were recited – because I would have been lying; I wanted God to forgive me better than I was able to forgive at that time. (Praise God, He eventually gave me the grace to forgive.)
Now, because I did not recite that phrase did not mean that I did not fulfill my Sunday obligation to assist at Mass; it did not mean that the Mass was not an acceptable prayer of the Church because I did not fully participate; and it did not mean that I was no longer a Catholic.

Yes, good example. CHRIST KNOWS OUR HEARTS …AND WHEN WE LIE. So, best not to lie …but do as you did, and pray for grace to have your heart match the words of prayer .

 

[twopekinguys]

Baptized as such as a baby.

Gotcha

 

[thistle]

I think I’d like to look into it more. But there still seems to be 2 Catholic churches here. One that says you “must” pray to Mary and the saints in the mass and another that seems opposed to it.

That is really confusion

Actually you are the one spreading confusion. I still don’t understand what you mean by “pray the Mass”. I have never even heard of such an expression.
The priest has parts only he speaks, the laity have responses they speak and there are parts spoken together.
The Communion of Saints (of which Mary is one as is everyone who is in Heaven) is a required Catholic belief (whether you are at Mass or not). If you are a baptised Catholic but do not believe in the Communion of Saints then you are still a Catholic but in a state of mortal sin having committed heresy (applies to rejection of any infallible Church teachings).

 

[Bookcat]

If you are a baptised Catholic but do not believe in the Communion of Saints then you are still a Catholic but in a state of mortal sin having committed heresy (applies to rejection of any infallible Church teachings).

We do not know if he has done such…there are three aspects to mortal sin …and we on the outside have rather tinted windows if we tried to see inside a particular person. One can speak to the fact that one ought not reject the Communion of the Saints but we do not here know if a mortal sin was in fact committed or any formal heresy. But certainly the OP has some ground to cover and would be recommended to go sit down with a Priest etc and continue his work in understanding the Faith etc.

 

[thistle]

We do not know if he has done such…there are three aspects to mortal sin …and we on the outside have rather tinted windows if we tried to see inside a particular person. One can speak to the fact that one ought not reject the Communion of the Saints but we do not here know if a mortal sin was in fact committed or any formal heresy. But certainly the OP has some ground to cover and would be recommended to go sit down with a Priest etc and continue his work in understanding the Faith etc.

I agree. I was talking generally, meaning any Catholic who rejects an infallible teaching (such as the Communion of Saints) commits heresy.
I was not implying the OP had done so.

 

[AmosTown]

Actually you are the one spreading confusion. I still don’t understand what you mean by “pray the Mass”. I have never even heard of such an expression.
The priest has parts only he speaks, the laity have responses they speak and there are parts spoken together.
The Communion of Saints (of which Mary is one as is everyone who is in Heaven) is a required Catholic belief (whether you are at Mass or not). If you are a baptised Catholic but do not believe in the Communion of Saints then you are still a Catholic but in a state of mortal sin having committed heresy (applies to rejection of any infallible Church teachings).

I read that in the Catholic missal somewhere. I found the same quote from St. Pius online here:
“The Holy Mass [The Divine Liturgy] is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists. It is the Sacrifice, dedicated by our Redeemer at the Cross, and repeated every day on the Altar. If you wish to hear Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with eye, heart, and mouth all that happens at the Altar. Further, you must pray with the Priest the holy words said by him, in the Name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner you ought to follow all that happens on the Altar. When acting in this way you have prayed Holy Mass.”

– His Holiness, Pope Saint Pius X

 

[Bookcat]

I agree. I was talking generally, meaning any Catholic who rejects an infallible teaching (such as the Communion of Saints) commits heresy.
.

I will further note for clarity that such has to be “obstinate”.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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