First Mass

[ladylinguist]

I attended my first Mass yesterday evening. I’ve been studying Catholicism on and off for a little over a year, and have always intended to check out a Mass, but never went. I had a friend offer to let me tag along when he went, and so I did. It was an interesting experience. Very different from what I’m used to, as I’ve spent the last two and a half years attending a very casual, contemporary non-denom. Much more audience participation! I do have to say I liked the homily. It was very focused and to the point. I’m used to sermons that kind of twist and turn and eventually get to a point about an hour later. It was also very somber and probably the quietest church service I’ve ever attended. For those out there who are converts, or considering conversion, what did you think of the Mass the first time you attended? Did you enjoy it? Think that there was too much ritual? And a question for those that have been attending for a while, how long did it take you to learn all of the times to sit, stand, kneel, speak, etc?

 

[jlcasey]

For those out there who are converts, or considering conversion, what did you think of the Mass the first time you attended? Did you enjoy it? Think that there was too much ritual? And a question for those that have been attending for a while, how long did it take you to learn all of the times to sit, stand, kneel, speak, etc?

First of all congratulations for attending Mass for the first time! How exciting this time must be for you!

I’m a convert and well I have to say that the first time I attended Mass with a friend - it essentially ‘sealed the deal’ for me! I fell completely in love with the liturgy although it wasn’t until later that I realized that it was the Real Presence that drew me in. I had been seeking after Jesus in a more tangible way after attending many ‘non denominational’ churches as well as other denominations.

The prayers, the readings, the responses drew me right in to worshiping the Lord and also helped me realize the significance of physically being a part of the Body Of Christ. So it was beyond a matter of enjoyment for me - it became a matter of necessity and devotion to Our Lord. I knew I was never going back to any other Church I after I attended Mass for the first time!

I honestly can’t remember how long it took for me to learn when to kneel, stand etc but since I was at university, I was able to attend Mass quite frequently in between classes etc so I did learn quite quickly.

 

[mystified]

Welcome!
Wow! A quiet Mass! Really? Nobody carrying on non-stop conversations and nobody using a cell phone? Am considering packing and moving to Augusta.

 

[ladylinguist]

Welcome!
Wow! A quiet Mass! Really? Nobody carrying on non-stop conversations and nobody using a cell phone? Am considering packing and moving to Augusta.

lol. Well, The Most Holy Trinity is a quiet church. Being used to a chatty non-denom it was very odd. The only person talking besides the priest was a toddler a couple of rows up. And then there was me whispering to my friend, "Ok, what’s going on now? It was very somber all around.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I’ve been studying Catholicism on and off for a little over a year

How long until you take the plunge? Come on once you go Vatican you wont go back again.

Very different from what I’m used to, as I’ve spent the last two and a half years attending a very casual, contemporary non-denom.

Yes I would say that would be very different from what you would be use to. My fiance came from a Non-Denom church and I remember seeing the expressions on her face as she looked around and everyone was on quo with chants and things. She was pretty taken back by it all.

I’m used to sermons that kind of twist and turn and eventually get to a point about an hour later. It was also very somber and probably the quietest church service I’ve ever attended.

This is what I love, the quiet solemn reverence of our Lord.

For those out there who are converts, or considering conversion, what did you think of the Mass the first time you attended? Did you enjoy it? Think that there was too much ritual?

I wasnt technically a convert since I was baptized Catholic, but I defiently wasnt a practicing Catholic either. The first time I attended I loved it. There was just something that cried out genuine about the whole experience. None of the yelling and hands in the air that a lot of Non-Catholic churches have. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not my style. This is what my fiance loved too. She told me how glad she was that she didnt have to fake the emotions that she used to have to at her church, because if she wasnt raising her hands and screaming and yelling she said she would get strange looks.

And a question for those that have been attending for a while, how long did it take you to learn all of the times to sit, stand, kneel, speak, etc?

Not long, that stuff is all covered in the RCIA process.

I have a question for you, what did you think about all the scripture reading at the mass? Were you expecting that at a Catholic Church?

God Bless

 

[ladylinguist]

How long until you take the plunge? Come on once you go Vatican you wont go back again.

I have a question for you, what did you think about all the scripture reading at the mass? Were you expecting that at a Catholic Church?

God Bless

I’m actually trying to get into the RCIA class at the parish, even though I’ve missed the last month. I’m hoping all the studying I’ve done on my own over the past year or so will make up for the classes I’ve missed thus far. Or perhaps the teacher would be willing to give me private lessons to help me catch up. I really don’t want to wait until next year to start RCIA! I admit I find myself conflicted. I want to become a Catholic, but at the same time I don’t. Does that make sense? I think it’s really just fear over leaving what I’m comfortable with and what I know.
As for the scripture reading, I wasn’t too surprised. I had a vague idea of what to expect, since I’ve read up on Catholicism quite a bit over the past year. Actually, there’s more scripture reading at the Mass than at the services at my non-denom. There they don’t even have a specific passage that gets read each time. Verses are just read as they relate to a particular sermon. I thought I would feel a lot more out of place at the Mass, though, or that I’d be bored. Really, despite the confusion over when to stand, kneel, etc, I enjoyed myself. I’m definitely going back next week.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I’m actually trying to get into the RCIA class at the parish, even though I’ve missed the last month. I’m hoping all the studying I’ve done on my own over the past year or so will make up for the classes I’ve missed thus far. Or perhaps the teacher would be willing to give me private lessons to help me catch up. I really don’t want to wait until next year to start RCIA!

Excellent! Most parishes will probably accomadate you. At my RCIA we had people who came as late as two months after we started. They had to have special sessions to catch up on what they missed but it didnt seem to be a problem, plus like you said you have been studying on your own. My mother is actually going through the same thing as you. She married in and has been in a Catholic family for 35 years and and no one had been able to convince her to go through the RCIA… It took me 1 conversation . But yea she is late as well and trying to see if she can jump in with the local RCIA that has already started.

I admit I find myself conflicted. I want to become a Catholic, but at the same time I don’t. Does that make sense? I think it’s really just fear over leaving what I’m comfortable with and what I know.

Yes I understand completely, my fiance went through the same thing. She grew up Non-Denom and that was all she knew. It was hard for her, but it all it took was a lot of prayer and just letting the will of God take over in her life. With my fiance there was the added family issues (her father being anti-catholic and all) and I dont know if you have any of that but that can add a lot to the difficulty of converting.

Really, despite the confusion over when to stand, kneel, etc, I enjoyed myself. I’m definitely going back next week.

Well sounds like minor issues to me, good luck in getting on with the RCIA and God Bless!

 

[Rawb]

You catch up on everything within a few weeks. You and I have a similar background, and yeah, the quiet really impressed me at my first mass. I also know what you mean about feeling comfortable, and honestly I put it down to the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle. I went to a Lutheran Baptism this morning and felt completely awkward and nervous and felt like I was sitting in a room (I noticed the oddity of how I felt but wasn’t sure why) and when I went to Mass this evening I realized. Catholic churches are just more comfortable, in my experience anway, and I have to say it has to be because of the eucharist.

But oh the quiet! And the sincerity of everything. Someone used the phrase genuine up there, that’s it. The Catholic Church is so genuine. I could go on and on about my first mass, I loved it. I didn’t think there was so much ritual because to me the ritual showed how seriously everyone was taking everything, which seemed a long ways away from the non-denom church I went to before which was much more chaotic.

Let us know what happens with your RCIA.

 

[onceagain]

I’m thinking of going to Mass by myself this week and i’m a little nervous. I haven’t gone to Church on a regular basis since I was a child, and I only attend Mass for special occasions with the family.

I’m unsure of what to do during Communion. When I went with family I usually went up and accepted it, even though I’ve never had my first confession. I wasn’t aware it was a sin to do so. I’ve read multiple books & websites on the subject, but nothing has given me a clear cut answer. Should I sit during communion and pray? Should I stand to pay respect to the Lord?

 

[ladylinguist]

I’m unsure of what to do during Communion. When I went with family I usually went up and accepted it, even though I’ve never had my first confession. I wasn’t aware it was a sin to do so. I’ve read multiple books & websites on the subject, but nothing has given me a clear cut answer. Should I sit during communion and pray? Should I stand to pay respect to the Lord?

I just stayed in my seat. There were several other people who did the same, and nobody gave us weird looks. So, sitting quietly should be a safe way to go, and I imagine it’s far better than to receive Communion when you’re not supposed to.

 

[ladylinguist]

Let us know what happens with your RCIA.

Well, I called the parish and I’ll be starting RCIA this evening. I’m very excited. I finally feel like I’m doing something active in terms of conversion, as opposed to just reading tons of books and haunting these forums.

 

[Sam88]

I just stayed in my seat. There were several other people who did the same, and nobody gave us weird looks. So, sitting quietly should be a safe way to go, and I imagine it’s far better than to receive Communion when you’re not supposed to.

Good choice. There are many reasons why even Catholics may not receive on a particular occasion so it will barely be noticed if you just stay where you are.

 

[SeattleCatholic]

For those out there who are converts, or considering conversion, what did you think of the Mass the first time you attended? Did you enjoy it? Think that there was too much ritual? And a question for those that have been attending for a while, how long did it take you to learn all of the times to sit, stand, kneel, speak, etc?

LOL…the first Mass I ever attended was on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. I was traveling with my friend’s family who were Catholic. Paris in August is HOT and HUMID…so I wanted to pass out the whole time. Boy was I happy when we got to sit down. Since the Mass was in French, I had no idea what was going on. Now that I think back on it, it is a miracle I ever went to a second Mass.

BTW…it is was that trip and that family that inspired me to learn about Catholicism.