Going to first mass

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Phillnb25

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Hello All,
So I plan on going to my first mass within the next week or fwo, after studying and learning I now want a hands on experience of everything. Now i know, that even though I’m a validly baptised protestant, I can not partake in the Eucharist. Is there any other advise someone would have for me? I would really prefer to not offend anyone around me because I did something wrong or didn’t do something right. Any help would be appreciated…thank you!!
 
Enjoy the Mass, don’t go up for the Eucharist, and just copy everyone around you, when they stand, you stand, when they sit or kneel , you do the same. The words the congregation say will be a bit confusing, there might be a card with the mass on it and highlighted sections the laity prays at the right time.

If there are no cards, thats ok. Just take in the Mass , there will be lots to take in. What the priest is doing, what the Church is like, the hymns, what the congregation is doing. Who the statues of saints are, the stations of the cross on the walls,
 
Phillnb25 said:
Is there any other advise someone would have for me?
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Yes, when you first entered bless yourself with the holy water from the font. Then make sure you genuflect to the Lord. Many prefer to go to the row of pew, then genuflect before entering that row. Do the same when you leave.
 
Hi OP, I’m not Catholic and have been married to a Catholic wife for over 15 years now (together nearly 20). Good feedback so far, I’ll just interject a bit of what I’ve done over the past almost 2 decades.
Roseeurekacross said:
just copy everyone around you, when they stand, you stand, when they sit or kneel , you do the same.
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Yep…pretty much. When everyone stands I stand, when everyone sits I sit, but when everyone kneels I stay seated. I just slide forward in the pew a bit.

I’ve never been one to recite anything with the congregation, so it’s up to you.
Rutherford2 said:
Yes, when you first entered bless yourself with the holy water from the font. Then make sure you genuflect to the Lord. Many prefer to go to the row of pew, then genuflect before entering that row. Do the same when you leave.
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You can do this if you want… I’ve never done it and don’t know any non-Catholic who does when they attend Mass. I don’t see how anyone would be offended if you skip the holy water or don’t genuflect as a NC.

My only other advice would be to find a place in the back where you’re out of the way for communion. The only time I’ve heard grumblings is sometimes when people figure out they’re next to the NC and they need to climb around them for communion or they confused grandma when letting her out.

I’d also research the “sign of peace” so you know what’s coming with that as well.

Like you said, don’t do communion and my personal rule is to not go up for a blessing unless the priest invites you. It isn’t a universal practice so I don’t go unless they say something (an honestly even then I tend to just try to stay out of the way).
 
TC3033 said:
The only time I’ve heard grumblings is sometimes when people figure out they’re next to the NC and they need to climb around them for communion or they confused grandma when letting her out.
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THIS 👆!!!
 
You may have a certain sense of being an outsider. Everyone else will automatically sit, stand, or kneel at certain points and you may find yourself wondering how they knew to do that. There will be times the priest will say something and everyone will respond. Again it may seem a little strange that everyone knows these responses. The knowledge comes from repetition, but you won’t have that advantage. Don’t worry about it! Feel free to just observe and not necessarily try to follow along in the missalette. Get a sense of the Mass without getting stressed!
 
TC3033 said:
I’d also research the “sign of peace” so you know what’s coming with that as well.
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You make it sound so mysterious. I’m curious why you’d say it needs research.

Priest says: Peace be with you.
Congregation: And with your spirit.
Priest: Let us share with one another a sign of Christ’s peace.
Congregation shakes hands saying “Peace be with you.”
 
Why can’t someone who is converting from Protestantism to Catholicism not partake in the Eucharist? Is that a permanent situation?

Thanks.
 
I attended my first Mass about four years ago and felt at home immediately. I hope you experience the same sort of thing. 🙂
 
Because someone who has never gone won’t expect it and may not know what to do (or the response) when it starts.

For a first timer it’ll be good to know there will be a point where everyone is going to start shaking hands with everyone around them and saying the same thing.

I could have been more specific, by research I meant look it up and see what it looks like. It could be a surprise.
 
normdplume said:
Why can’t someone who is converting from Protestantism to Catholicism not partake in the Eucharist? Is that a permanent situation?
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It’s permanent only until your initiation into the Church is complete.

The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation. Baptism makes you a member of the Body of Christ. The Eucharist allows you to partake of the Bread of Life. Confirmation is anointing in the Holy Spirit. Different churches have these take place at different times— for example, the Orthodox have Baptism, Eucharist, and Chrismation all take place in infancy, whereas the Roman rite, although they use chrism in Baptism, spaces out the three sacraments, partially based on age. For adult converts, Eucharist and Confirmation often take place at the same time, such as at Easter Vigil.

My Dad, for example, has been in RCIA for decades. But he’s never fully entered the Church-- although you bet he’s far more active in it than a lot of people who warm the pews! 🙂 But because he’s never fully entered, he also doesn’t fully participate in the sacraments, such as the Eucharist. If/when he ever does take that step of formally entering the church, then he’s as much a member as someone who was raised in the Church from infancy. But as long as “converting” is talking about “a process that is still happening but hasn’t been formally completed yet”-- whether it’s a year, or three years, or a major part of a lifetime-- then the answer is no, they can’t fully participate in the Eucharist at this point in time, although they can participate in other things.
 
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Thank you to everyone who answered! It helps a lot, now that i have a little more knowledge under my belt I feel less nervous and slightly more excited!
 
Lots of Evangelical Protestant churches, non-denominational fellowships, and even some of the mainlines do a “greet each other” time during their worship service. It’s usually at the beginning of the service.

So it’s possible that this will very comfortable and familiar to the OP.
 
Phillinb25, are you attending a Latin Mass, or a Mass in your language?
 
It possible yes, but many don’t as well. I’m non-denominational and didn’t know/was caught off guard by it.
 
I’m not sure, I am assuming it’s an English mass because their website doesn’t mention it.
 
Welcome. Just relax and enjoy it. It’s unlikely you’ll offend people it’s not massively complex. Theres a bit of sitting and standing and kneeling which you can just copy everyone else. I’d suggest probably not sitting at the very front as often in my parish at least they are involved in the mass ie readers or eucharistic ministers. People will all know the responses, that’s ok, its fine to remain silent if you dont know what to say. Many masses hand out books or printed pamphlets and some still have screens with responses and hymns on them. Also you may find you can look online and watch a mass first, perhaps even the one you want to go to… my church streams all it’s masses. Admittedly you can’t see a lot of the people but you can certainly see the ones in the front and everything that goes on, on the altar. It’s website also offers an interactive viewing so you can move around the church and look see. You may be able to do that with your local church and then you’ll at least feel at home with the layout. Then honestly, it is pretty simple, people mostly sit or stand or kneel and listen. If you need to ask someone next to you something like what number hymn or what page or something keep it short and quiet and it’ll be fine otherwise try keep quiet. God bless you
 
Get there early. Do not ever leave before the Mass is complete. I would sit in the very middle of the row or pew. What will directly affect you is the offering basket, the sign of peace, and remaining in your seat while others go up to receive communion. Don’t stare at people returning to their places after receiving communion. Enjoy it. You will love it.
 
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