First time back at mass

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Renegade8408

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I went to my first mass in nearly 20 years today! I felt like a blind mule in a horse race. It was good but I was so lost at times. The last mass I went to was in Latin and this one is in English so even what I did remember was not helpful. I wish they had a cheat sheet for new people!!! I felt very unsure but good at the same time. Please tell me it will all come back and it won’t be long before it feels comfortable and normal again!
 
It will all come back and it won’t be long before it feels comfortable and normal again. 🙂

I was once in your shoes, though I admit the Latin-to-vernacular aspect didn’t apply in my case.

I don’t know where you live, but in some countries the churches provide missalettes that anyone can use to follow along. If yours doesn’t, it may have cards with the Order of the Mass printed on them. These won’t have any text that’s proper to a given Mass (readings, antiphons, certain prayers), but they will get you through the rest of the the liturgy.

Welcome back :yup:
 
It will all come back, and it won’t be long before it feels comfortable and normal again. 🙂

Most of us were uncomfortable for a while in and after 2011, when the translations changed; especially those of us who came back during that period. It became normal for us, and it will for you, too.

There is a cheat sheet in your pew racks. You might see two kinds of books – one small and floppy, and one larger – or just one book. Go to Mass early next week. If you have two books, pick up the smaller one (the missalette) and start reading from the beginning. You’ll find that the book will walk you through everything you need to say and do, though you’ll need to read closely to see which page to turn to next. If you have one larger book, that’s a combined missalette/hymnal, and again, start at the beginning.

Welcome home!
 
Renegade8408 said:
I went to my first mass in nearly 20 years today! I felt like a blind mule in a horse race. It was good but I was so lost at times. The last mass I went to was in Latin and this one is in English so even what I did remember was not helpful. I wish they had a cheat sheet for new people!!! I felt very unsure but good at the same time. Please tell me it will all come back and it won’t be long before it feels comfortable and normal again!
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Wow! It was not so easy to find Latin masses in the late 1990s.
 
Well, it won’t all come back to you because it’s been changed. But yes, you will feel more comfortable in time. I am still reading a few of the longer prayers from the missal/hymnal our parish supplies because if the last rewording of things…😊

Welcome back! 🙂
 
So happy for your return!

As Irish mom said, a few things have changed and even though I haven’t been ‘away’ I can’t run on autopilot. I too need the cheat sheet. I suppose,in a few more years it’ll be second nature for me again! LOL

Just be patient and be Present when you do attend. If you have time permit yourself to come early or stay a little while after.

God bless you!
 
Welcome home!

Think of the “unfamiliar” as an opportunity to pay super close attention?? 😉
 
Welcome back home. Be at ease, it will all come back to you. Just follow the Missalette for the Mass. If you can, try attending a weekday Mass to get back into the swing of things. God bless.
 
Welcome home.

I returned after decades, My best advice is just listen. It will seep into your soul over time 👌🌈🙏🕊️
 
Welcome back. I’m in a similar situation, having returned last year after nearly twenty years away. God called us back for a reason. Keep praying and listen for what that reason might be. My family got hit hard with health crisis a couple months ago and i know that I would be falling apart right now without God and his holy Church. All the best to you.
 
Be not afraid. Sit when everybody sits down. Stand up when everybody stands up. Kneel when everybody kneels down and everything should be ok. Welcome Back.
 
Thank you everyone. Your encouragement is so incredibly helpful!
 
I’ll bet that if you call the church office and ask to make an appointment with a priest or deacon, explaining you’re new to the mass and want to review the basics with someone, you’ll get a lot of kind mentoring.
 
Renegade8408 said:
I went to my first mass in nearly 20 years today! I felt like a blind mule in a horse race. It was good but I was so lost at times. The last mass I went to was in Latin and this one is in English so even what I did remember was not helpful. I wish they had a cheat sheet for new people!!! I felt very unsure but good at the same time. Please tell me it will all come back and it won’t be long before it feels comfortable and normal again!
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What a beautiful thing! I’m sure God is pleased that you’ve taken this step. Keep going to mass. Before long it will be totally familiar to you. It’s good you’ve made this decision. Make an appointment and go to confession soon. When you get up kneel down, thanks God for another day and ask for the grace to know and do his will for you. In the evening kneel down, thank him and ask pardon for any slip-ups.
 
gtd said:
I’ll bet that if you call the church office and ask to make an appointment with a priest or deacon, explaining you’re new to the mass and want to review the basics with someone, you’ll get a lot of kind mentoring.
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I did speak to the preist about it and he is going to get me connected to someone who can help me get reacquainted with everything! It was award but it sure felt good to be home!
 
Why don’t you see if there is a Traditional Latin Mass in your area? You would most likely feel more comfortable there. There are directories of such Masses - here is one.
 
Michael85 said:
Why don’t you see if there is a Traditional Latin Mass in your area? You would most likely feel more comfortable there. There are directories of such Masses - here is one.
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The nearest one is well over an hour away and so not a realistic option right now. Although I did miss hearing the Latin I did enjoy mass in english! I think it will just take time to feel comfortable again after all its not like riding a bike.
 
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