First time at mass

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Jennifer132

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Hello. My husband and I went to Saturday night vigil for the first time last week. We noticed that at the back of the church they had communion wafers sitting out in a bowl with tongs. I assume this was not the consecrated host since no one was watching it and it could be stolen or eaten by any passerby. Can someone explain its purpose?

Also, we read in the book in the pew that you are to genuflect when entering and exiting the pew. I could not see the tabernacle (wasn’t sure what it looked like). There was a large, circular window on the second floor that had a monstrance in it as well as flowers and candles. Do I genuflect in that direction? There didn’t appear to be a tabernacle on the altar. Any helpful clues to finding out where it is located?

Should/can a non-Catholic cross themselves, use holy water, and participate in every part of mass except the Eucharist?
 
At some point after the 60s, some parishes had this idea that if someone was going to receive communion, they could put a communion wafer in a bowl at the entrance and that way there would be approximately the number of hosts needed for communion in the Mass. I have only seen this a few times when I visited other parishes, but I have not seen it done anywhere in at least 15 years.
 
Often the unconsecrated hosts and wine are carried up to the altar as part of the “Offering of Gifts” along with the collection basket(s). Those hosts are then consecrated during the Eucharistic rite.
 
The Tabernacle is usually located either behind the altar or off to the side of the sanctuary. It’s usually a gold box, but may be a small golden door in the wall. It can take other forms, but those are most common. There is also usually a lit candle in a red glass holder near it. The lit candle let’s us know that Christ is present, as there is one or more Consecrated Hosts in the Tabernacle. This time of year it may be covered by purple cloth. Genuflect towards the tabernacle. If I go to a new church and don’t locate the tabernacle before reaching my pew I generally genuflect in the direction the altar (as the Tabernacle is likely somewhere in that general direction), and gaze upon the Crucifix. Once I take my seat I would usually try and locate it.

Making the Sign of the Cross and using Holy Water is fine for non-Catholics. They’re not sacraments, but sacramentals. Holy Water helps to remind us of our baptism.
 
Jennifer132 said:
Hello. My husband and I went to Saturday night vigil for the first time last week. We noticed that at the back of the church they had communion wafers sitting out in a bowl with tongs. I assume this was not the consecrated host since no one was watching it and it could be stolen or eaten by any passerby. Can someone explain its purpose?

Also, we read in the book in the pew that you are to genuflect when entering and exiting the pew. I could not see the tabernacle (wasn’t sure what it looked like). There was a large, circular window on the second floor that had a monstrance in it as well as flowers and candles. Do I genuflect in that direction? There didn’t appear to be a tabernacle on the altar. Any helpful clues to finding out where it is located?

Should/can a non-Catholic cross themselves, use holy water, and participate in every part of mass except the Eucharist?
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The wafers in the bowl was an invention that let the sacristan know how many people would be receiving communion during Mass, and they would transfer the wafers from the bowl to the ciborium before Mass. Therefore, they can get an accurate gauge.

A tabernacle looks like a large golden box, although the rubrics do say that it can be made of a heavy material, just it can’t be moved. A red lamp is placed nearby the tabernacle, and if lit, it shows us that Jesus in the Eucharist is currently within the tabernacle. Many churches have moved the tabernacle to a side chapel, so if there’s no red lamp, or no sign of a tabernacle within sight, then you should just bow to the altar.

A non-Catholic can cross themselves, and use holy water, and participate in every part of the Mass, excluding the Eucharist. They may not make use of the graces that come with making the sign of the cross, and holy water, but it sure is allowed.
 
As someone else said, the tabernacle is usually somewhere near or behind the altar.

When I attend Catholic Mass, I use holy water when entering and exiting. Also, I genuflect and cross myself when entering and exiting a pew.
 
Jennifer132 said:
Hello. My husband and I went to Saturday night vigil for the first time last week. We noticed that at the back of the church they had communion wafers sitting out in a bowl with tongs. I assume this was not the consecrated host since no one was watching it and it could be stolen or eaten by any passerby. Can someone explain its purpose?
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Just before Communion, the wafers are brought to the front of the church by members of the faithful.
Also, we read in the book in the pew that you are to genuflect when entering and exiting the pew. I could not see the tabernacle (wasn’t sure what it looked like). There was a large, circular window on the second floor that had a monstrance in it as well as flowers and candles. Do I genuflect in that direction? There didn’t appear to be a tabernacle on the altar. Any helpful clues to finding out where it is located?
There is usually a red candle mounted to the wall near the tabernacle, so that the consecrated Hosts are never stored in the dark. If it is not in the main church, it may be in a side chapel.
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Should/can a non-Catholic cross themselves, use holy water, and participate in every part of mass except the Eucharist?
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These symbols are open to anyone who wishes to participate.
 
Yes! You are welcome (and encouraged by the community of believers) to join in as much of the Mass as possible. The wonderful thing about Mass is that both the presiding priest and the assembly both celebrate the Mass in their own beautiful way.

If you are unsure of where the Tabernacle is located, you could try asking someone who attends Mass at that church frequently. This is also a great way to meet people who could help you on your journey of seeking Christ’s truth.
 
Jennifer132 said:
Hello. My husband and I went to Saturday night vigil for the first time last week. We noticed that at the back of the church they had communion wafers sitting out in a bowl with tongs. I assume this was not the consecrated host since no one was watching it and it could be stolen or eaten by any passerby. Can someone explain its purpose?

Also, we read in the book in the pew that you are to genuflect when entering and exiting the pew. I could not see the tabernacle (wasn’t sure what it looked like). There was a large, circular window on the second floor that had a monstrance in it as well as flowers and candles. Do I genuflect in that direction? There didn’t appear to be a tabernacle on the altar. Any helpful clues to finding out where it is located?

Should/can a non-Catholic cross themselves, use holy water, and participate in every part of mass except the Eucharist?
Click to expand...
Everyone seems to have answered your questions. I just wanted to say that I hope you had a good experience at your first Mass <3
 
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