Going to attend Mass

[chewchoo]

Don’t worry about that the very first time you go - they sell Missals at the hospitality desk, but don’t worry about buying one just yet. Decide whether you want to make a regular habit of going to Mass, first, before you start laying out money for it.

in the states, most churches provide missalettes in the pews so you don’t have to buy anything

 

[Semper_Fi_1]

Excuse me,

If I may ask… why is it Catholics attend mass? What scriptures of the Bible is mass based on? I have heard from my Catholic teacher that it is based on an idea called transubstantion… converting wine and bread to “Jesus’s flesh and blood” … what benefit is found in this? In John 6:63 I found a verse that says … “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: the wordes that I speake vnto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” But I have also heard an argument from another… they used John 6:54 “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternall life, and I will raise him vp at the last day.” … but clearly John 6:63 has said that was incorrect… that only Jesus’s words gave life for they are Spirit… ?

Thank you,
Saithes

Your questions are answered with a simple click of the search link on the forum. Or, you could go to www.scripturecatholic.com or the catholic.com library. This isn’t really the thread for apologetics… so you may pm me if you wwish.

 

[Seatuck]

Don’t worry about that the very first time you go - they sell Missals at the hospitality desk, but don’t worry about buying one just yet. Decide whether you want to make a regular habit of going to Mass, first, before you start laying out money for it.

What’s a hospitality desk?

 

[Saithes]

Saithes-
Please remember that the Bible came out of the church and not the other way around. The earliest part of the New Testament was not written until 30 years after Jesus’ death.
The Catholic church does not do anything against scripture, but our faith is also based on the Tradition of the church, rooted long before the New Testament was completed.

The Catholic Church came about years after Jesus Christ’s Death… Around 110 AD… The New Testament was completed around 45 AD… that’s a 55 year difference there… and this also means that you could not have founded your faith on the traditions of any church, for there was no church before Christ, unless you are saying you follow Judaism. Church came out of the Bible, to say otherwise is heresy.

 

[jmcrae]

What’s a hospitality desk?

It’s the little desk out by the main entrance of the Church where someone helps people who have questions about the Church, especially new people who haven’t come before.

At our parish, they are set up to deal with questions about RCIA, sell Missals, distribute contribution envelopes and take parish registrations, and point out the washrooms. They also give out bulletins, and sell Mass cards.

At the parish where I work, they also have a little mini “gift shop” by the desk, where they sell Rosaries, holy water bottles, medals, and little statues of various Saints.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

What’s a hospitality desk?

I’ve only seen Hospitality Desks at Protestant Churches.

Missalettes can be found in the pews, for free.
The Order of the Mass can also usually be found in the front of the songbook, along with inside the Missal.

If there is a Catholic bookstore near you, St. Joseph Press puts out an order of the Mass for children that supplies the appropriate responses, short explanation of the events in Mass, and the appropriate postures. All for about $1.25

Here are some internet resources for the Order of the Mass:
catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm
theworkofgod.org/devotns/euchrist/guide.htm

 

[jmcrae]

The Catholic Church came about years after Jesus Christ’s Death… Around 110 AD… The New Testament was completed around 45 AD… that’s a 55 year difference there… and this also means that you could not have founded your faith on the traditions of any church, for there was no church before Christ, unless you are saying you follow Judaism. Church came out of the Bible, to say otherwise is heresy.

How do you get 110 AD? That’s the first time we find the word “Catholic” in the writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch, but he is using the word to describe the organization that was founded by Jesus Christ in 33 AD.

We find Jesus appointing Peter to be the first Pope (chief shepherd) in John 21:15-19.

 

[Philomeena]

The New Testament was completed around 45 AD… that’s a 55 year difference there… .

Luke did not write his Gospel until at least 75 AD.
Since our (yours and mine) biblical knowledge obviously comes from very different scholars, I will just have to agree to disagree.

May God bless you on your spiritual journey

 

[chewchoo]

The Catholic Church came about years after Jesus Christ’s Death… Around 110 AD… The New Testament was completed around 45 AD… that’s a 55 year difference there… and this also means that you could not have founded your faith on the traditions of any church, for there was no church before Christ, unless you are saying you follow Judaism. Church came out of the Bible, to say otherwise is heresy.

How do you get 110 AD? That’s the first time we find the word “Catholic” in the writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch, but he is using the word to describe the organization that was founded by Jesus Christ in 33 AD.

We find Jesus appointing Peter to be the first Pope (chief shepherd) in John 21:15-19.

and the first book of the new testament was not written until 45 AD. and it took at least 40 years for all of the other books to be completed.

and then it was at the council of carthage, in 397 AD, where the canon of the new testament was finally settled

 

[mercygate]

Excuse me,

If I may ask… why is it Catholics attend mass? What scriptures of the Bible is mass based on? I have heard from my Catholic teacher that it is based on an idea called transubstantion… converting wine and bread to “Jesus’s flesh and blood” … what benefit is found in this? In John 6:63 I found a verse that says … “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: the wordes that I speake vnto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” But I have also heard an argument from another… they used John 6:54 “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternall life, and I will raise him vp at the last day.” … but clearly John 6:63 has said that was incorrect… that only Jesus’s words gave life for they are Spirit… ?

Thank you,
Saithes

Short answer because this belongs on another thread: All through John 6, Jesus speaks of eating “my flesh”. Only in v. 63 does he change the language to “the flesh.” God is spirit. The flesh we eat and drink are the flesh and blood of the risen Christ: Spirit. Spirit is “real” – the substance of trans-substantiation. That simply means that the REAL substance of the bread and wine, by the Spirit BECOME the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a mystery. “My flesh” is what gives life, “the flesh” is the worldly mind/heart that, in Paul’s words, fails “to discern the Body.”

The Mass comes from the Last Supper (duh) and from many references, particularly in Hebrews and Revelation as well as from the practices described in 1 Cor and Acts. Almost every syllablel of the Mass is taken directly from Scripture.

Back to topic.

 

[mercygate]

The Catholic Church came about years after Jesus Christ’s Death… Around 110 AD… The New Testament was completed around 45 AD… that’s a 55 year difference there… and this also means that you could not have founded your faith on the traditions of any church, for there was no church before Christ, unless you are saying you follow Judaism. Church came out of the Bible, to say otherwise is heresy.

The New Testament arose out of the Church. Where are you getting your information?

110 is the year a non-scriptural text refers to the church as “catholic”. The guy who wrote that was a direct disciple of St. John the Evangelist and the bishop who followed him in Antioch. He uses the word “catholic” to describe the authentic Church as distinguished from the gnostic offshoots and heretical sects.

 

[jmcrae]

To the OP:

Keep it simple, to start with. You are not required to “follow along.” Just listen and absorb, to begin with. No one will notice, if you just choose to sit down quietly all the way through your first Mass.

If anyone is so rude as to stare at you, just tell them that it is your first time at Mass.

 

[water]

To the OP:

Keep it simple, to start with. You are not required to “follow along.” Just listen and absorb, to begin with. No one will notice, if you just choose to sit down quietly all the way through your first Mass.

If anyone is so rude as to stare at you, just tell them that it is your first time at Mass.

Good advice.

 

[Donna_Mc]

God Bless you on your journey and please come back here
for any additional questions you have, watch EWTN if you
have it in your area and or listen to catholic radio. These can
be a very valuable tool in helping you along the way.

 

[po18guy]

Excuse me,

If I may ask… why is it Catholics attend mass? What scriptures of the Bible is mass based on? I have heard from my Catholic teacher that it is based on an idea called transubstantion… converting wine and bread to “Jesus’s flesh and blood” … what benefit is found in this? In John 6:63 I found a verse that says … “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: the wordes that I speake vnto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” But I have also heard an argument from another… they used John 6:54 “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternall life, and I will raise him vp at the last day.” … but clearly John 6:63 has said that was incorrect… that only Jesus’s words gave life for they are Spirit… ?

Thank you,
Saithes

D’oh! Banned before getting a reply! :doh2:
Well, if you must know, Christ commanded it.
Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-25
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (From the Protestant NIV)
This is the second, and most important, half of the mass. The first half? Pure scripture, just like in your bible, which you got from the Catholic Church-founded by Christ on Peter (Matthew 16:18)
Catholics follow the command of Christ. Period.
Next question.

 

[St_Gabriel]

You can expect to be blessed! Just keep your heart open to receive it. Enjoy!

 

[KarenElissa]

I’m a Mormon questioning his faith and I want to go visit Mass this weekend but I have no idea what to expect. Can I just go in and kind of observe from the back? Will I really stand? I did sit out in the parking lot and observe people coming out of the church last week to see how everyone was dressed and I must admit I was a bit shocked at how dressed down everyone was (jeans, etc) so I’m not worried on that score.

I remember the first time I went to Mass, about six months ago, and I remember all of those feeling well! I’m not even going to tell you how many times I drove around and past the church before I got up the guts to park and go in.

I say don’t worry too much. I was really worried for quite awhile about sticking out and would people ask why I was here or be offended because of something I was or wasn’t’ doing? But not once have I felt any of those things from someone else. And come to think of it, I don’t really notice what those around me a doing beyond when I’m trying to figure out what I should be doing!

Other people have already given you good info on what to expect, so I won’t repeat all of that. Just thought I’d let you know that you aren’t alone and lots of us have experienced those same thoughts and wonderings!

 

[Nezmith]

D’oh! Banned before getting a reply! :doh2:
Well, if you must know, Christ commanded it.
Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-25
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (From the Protestant NIV)
This is the second, and most important, half of the mass. The first half? Pure scripture, just like in your bible, which you got from the Catholic Church-founded by Christ on Peter (Matthew 16:18)
Catholics follow the command of Christ. Period.
Next question.

I was banned on my own will, it was nothing too important…

I do see now why you do this… as it appears He does command His people to eat and drink his flesh and blood in these verses as a form of remembrance… hm… I’ll look into it.

I have little belief Catholics follow the command of Christ directly as was stated… there are many faults which are easy to point out… and if you will bother yourself to read the Bible… Matthew 16:13 says “Howbeit, when hee the spirit of trueth is come, he wil guide you into all trueth : For he shall not speake of himselfe : but whatsoeuer he shall heare, that shall he speake, and he will shew you things to come.” … I believe this can be interpreted as : Through the Lord you can come to the truth … the Word of the Lord also comes in, and the Word of the Lord can be your lantern to uncover heresies shrouded in darkness, or lies.

Do you all still follow and partake in the Rosary? Would one of you kindly recite to me the 15 promises you say Mary makes to those who partake in the Rosary? I’d like a try at that.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Do you all still follow and partake in the Rosary? Would one of you kindly recite to me the 15 promises you say Mary makes to those who partake in the Rosary? I’d like a try at that.

Not all Catholics have a relationship with Mary, and not all Catholics say the Rosary.
After the last thread you were a part of, I hesitate to answer you, but I will anyway:

1.Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2.I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3.The Rosary will be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.

4.It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5.Those who recommend themselves to me by the recitation of the Rosary shallnot perish.

6.Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7.Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8.Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9.I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10.The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

11.You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12.All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13.I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14.All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son, Jesus Christ.

15.Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Nezmith:
If you want to continue this conversation regarding the 15 Promises of the Rosary, go here.

I don’t want to derail this thread.