First time at Good Friday service, did I mess up?

[Jennifer132]

Hello all. My family is very new to Catholicism, we are Protestant, and we have attended several Masses, but we are too late to join RCIA this time around. We went to Good Friday service, and we were one of the last people coming in and sat in the back. Apparently they start the processing up to venerate the cross at the back, because our family was literally the first people to be sent up to venerate the cross. We have never venerated anything before, and we didn’t really know what we were doing. We do dearly love our Savior and we did whatever felt natural. My husband and nine year old daughter kissed the cross. Myself and my ten year old son touched it and genuflected. When we sat down, I noticed 99% of people kissed the cross. Is kissing the only acceptable way to venerate it? Did we mess up in genuflecting? We were touched by the service and the symbolism involved.

 

[YADA]

Blessings to you and your family

NO … You did not mess up … Be at peace …

It is possible to venerate the cross in many ways … by touching or not touching it, kissing it or not kissing it, genuflecting or a profound bow … standing before it reverently. All are acceptable.

 

[Gorgias]

Is kissing the only acceptable way to venerate it? Did we mess up in genuflecting? We were touched by the service and the symbolism involved.

No, it isn’t. You venerated the cross. Some venerate by kissing the cross, or kissing the feet of the image of Jesus on the cross; others venerate by kissing their hand and touching their hand to the cross. Some genuflect; others bow; others just reach out to the cross.

You venerated the cross by which we are all saved. It’s all good!

 

[marytk]

You didn’t mess up. Not everyone kisses the cross. YOu showed veneration by genuflecting and if you want next year you can kiss it
I am happy you were there. (We start in the back for this too ) I am glad you are coming home

 

[exnihilo]

Hello all. My family is very new to Catholicism, we are Protestant, and we have attended several Masses, but we are too late to join RCIA this time around. We went to Good Friday service, and we were one of the last people coming in and sat in the back. Apparently they start the processing up to venerate the cross at the back, because our family was literally the first people to be sent up to venerate the cross. We have never venerated anything before, and we didn’t really know what we were doing. We do dearly love our Savior and we did whatever felt natural. My husband and nine year old daughter kissed the cross. Myself and my ten year old son touched it and genuflected. When we sat down, I noticed 99% of people kissed the cross. Is kissing the only acceptable way to venerate it? Did we mess up in genuflecting? We were touched by the service and the symbolism involved.

No I don’t think you did anything wrong. I am not aware of any Church document that says how we must venerate the cross. There may be such a document but I’m not aware. You didn’t do anything wrong first and foremost because you didn’t know any better. I think touching the cross and genuflecting is a very reverential act.

One thing I’ve found in my brief time as a Catholic is that I worried much more then I needed to about ‘doing the right thing’. There is certainly a fair number of folks who probably should worry about that more. But as someone wanting in part the safety and comfort of the Catholic Church I probably worried too much. Even with what is perceived as all the rules of Catholicism there is a fair amount of freedom. And people make use of it. Consider just communion. Some people receive in the hand. Some receive on the tongue. Some bow before receiving while others genuflect. Some stand while others kneel.

I’m glad you attended the Good Friday service. I hope you join RCIA and wish to enter the Church next year.

 

[brian_custer]

you couldn’t’ve venerated the Cross more correctly

the Holy Spirit guided you

welcome home to the One True Church

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

Hello all. My family is very new to Catholicism, we are Protestant, and we have attended several Masses, but we are too late to join RCIA this time around. We went to Good Friday service, and we were one of the last people coming in and sat in the back. Apparently they start the processing up to venerate the cross at the back, because our family was literally the first people to be sent up to venerate the cross. We have never venerated anything before, and we didn’t really know what we were doing. We do dearly love our Savior and we did whatever felt natural. My husband and nine year old daughter kissed the cross. Myself and my ten year old son touched it and genuflected. When we sat down, I noticed 99% of people kissed the cross. Is kissing the only acceptable way to venerate it? Did we mess up in genuflecting? We were touched by the service and the symbolism involved.

You did not mess up. We do what what want to show veneration. I saw more than one person genuflect in front of the cross. I imagine a lot of people who have a problem with germs do not want to kiss the cross regardless if it is being wiped off after each kiss. You are fine. I knelt and kissed the cross and touched my forehead to it. I would have hugged it but I did not want to make a scene I hope you and your family have a good RCIA experience if you do decide to take RCIA. I am a protestant convert. I went through RCIA 3 years ago. If I may give some advice, do not depend on only RCIA to catechize you and teach you about the faith. That would be my advice. 2 hours once a week is not a lot. So many people only take the classes and never read up on anything on their own and about 80% of the people in my RCIA class did not even own a Bible RCIA can be very elementary level. It is better to study up on your own too. God bless and early welcome home should you decide to enter into The Church

 

[Porknpie]

Hello all. My family is very new to Catholicism, we are Protestant, and we have attended several Masses, but we are too late to join RCIA this time around. We went to Good Friday service, and we were one of the last people coming in and sat in the back. Apparently they start the processing up to venerate the cross at the back, because our family was literally the first people to be sent up to venerate the cross. We have never venerated anything before, and we didn’t really know what we were doing. We do dearly love our Savior and we did whatever felt natural. My husband and nine year old daughter kissed the cross. Myself and my ten year old son touched it and genuflected. When we sat down, I noticed 99% of people kissed the cross. Is kissing the only acceptable way to venerate it? Did we mess up in genuflecting? We were touched by the service and the symbolism involved.

This year I kissed the cross. Last year I genuflected.

Both honor our Lord.

 

[porthos11]

Hello all. My family is very new to Catholicism, we are Protestant, and we have attended several Masses, but we are too late to join RCIA this time around. We went to Good Friday service, and we were one of the last people coming in and sat in the back. Apparently they start the processing up to venerate the cross at the back, because our family was literally the first people to be sent up to venerate the cross. We have never venerated anything before, and we didn’t really know what we were doing. We do dearly love our Savior and we did whatever felt natural. My husband and nine year old daughter kissed the cross. Myself and my ten year old son touched it and genuflected. When we sat down, I noticed 99% of people kissed the cross. Is kissing the only acceptable way to venerate it? Did we mess up in genuflecting? We were touched by the service and the symbolism involved.

Genuflection and kissing is the traditional way of venerating the cross. I think your family just fine.

 

[DAML72]

You did it perfectly.

As a fairly recent convert myself (3 years ago) I just want to give you a little encouragement. There will probably be many times along the way that you will feel like you are sticking out like a sore thumb for "not doing it right"or just having absolutely no clue what to say or do. Just start today with the attitude that it doesn’t matter, because it really doesn’t. Nobody will be scrutinizing you, and if even they notice that you do things differently, they will understand. Our Lord sees what is in your heart, and that’s all that matters, isn’t it? Many times, just your presence is all that you can give and all that is needed. Eventually you’ll get the hang of things.

 

[Brendan_64]

There will probably be many times along the way that you will feel like you are sticking out like a sore thumb for "not doing it right"or just having absolutely no clue what to say or do. Just start today with the attitude that it doesn’t matter, because it really doesn’t. Nobody will be scrutinizing you, and if even they notice that you do things differently, they will understand. Our Lord sees what is in your heart, and that’s all that matters, isn’t it?

Well said!

The same applies to us all. It does not matter one single jot how others see you or view you. All that matters is God. We should do what we do because of God, and not because of what others around us expect us to do.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

You did what you felt honored your Lord and Saviour. Well done. I have kissed the cross, have touched it with my forehead, and have kissed my fingers and then touched the cross…however I’ve felt led by the Spirit that year.

At least you can genuflect - I cannot due to very bad knees. I feel sad about that all I can offer the Lord when passing in front of the tabernacle is a profound bow and Sign of the Cross.

Be at peace.

 

[jmjZelie]

you couldn’t’ve venerated the Cross more correctly

the Holy Spirit guided you

welcome home to the One True Church

This!

It warned my heart to read how the OP and family venerated the Cross in the best way they knew how and how they got it perfectly right! Wow! That is the Holy Spirit.

Welcome home, Jennifer.