Help me learn basic Roman liturgics and tradition

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Addai

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This sunday I attended my first solo mass. (The only times I attended before was going to weddings, first communions etc. of some of my RC relatives). I attended but did not take communion for those that are curious.

Anyway I was going to ask that you post some links regarding some basic Catholic litugics, or maybe post your own “Catholicism For Dummies” style hints and pointers.

For Instance right now I’m trying to learn how to bow and kneel and cross yourself before you enter your pew.

FYI - I have a Lutheran and Orthodox background, so I’m not unfamiliar with the basic concepts.

PS- I noticed in retrospect, this thread might be better in the Sacraments and Liturgy board. Moderators feel free to move it there if you agree.
 
Always sitting down with a missalete and working your way through helps one. I know this sounds really corny, but it really helped me. When I came into the church, I would go through the missalete and rehearse the Mass parts. I would read through the Mass and pay attention to the directions when given about standing, kneeling, and stuff.

Someone told me to remember the acronym STOP before sitting down in my pew. It sounds ridicoulous but I used to have to think about it, and to this day, it goes through my head when entering a church and before sitting in the pew.

Head down the aisle and when you find a pew that is inviting do the following.

S - STOP - Stop. Do not ente the pew.

T - Tabernacle - Find the tabernacle, genuflect to Jesus in the Tabernacle. Go down on right leg until your right knee touches the floor. Then come up. Cross yourself when genuflecting.

O - Orient yourself to the altar and bow - now I know that some people just genuflect to the Tabernacle, yet I have learned to bow deeply, [bow at the waist] as a sign of respect to the Altar.

P - Pew may be entered at this time.

One of the usual helpful hints is When in Rome do as the Romans do. Most of the Catholics know what to do and when to do it. This usually is a good thing to follow and can be a guide during the Mass.

I hope this helps.

Little One0307
 
Te_Deum said:
And if the Blessed Sacrament is exposed before or after Mass go down on both knees.

Not necessary though. I generally don’t. I wait until I am kneeling in the pew.
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Whoops thanks. I have always done it though. I do cross myself in the pew too before praying. I am wondering if I am doing this too much lol. I do see people crossing themselves when genuflecting and some do. Do you know which is correct?

Little One0307
 
Little_One0307 said:
Whoops thanks. I have always done it though. I do cross myself in the pew too before praying. I am wondering if I am doing this too much lol. I do see people crossing themselves when genuflecting and some do. Do you know which is correct?

Little One0307
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Either is acceptable. I think it is a matter of what cultural heritage and teaching our parents gave us.

I don’t cross myself when genuflecting, because with my bad knees and middle-age creaks, I have to hang onto the pew with my right hand to balance!👍
 
As Peggy said both are acceptable. It is just really a matter of taste. Personally for me crossing my self as I genuflect is just too… “busy” :p… for my tastes. Just too much going on at one time as it were.
 
Te_Deum said:
And if the Blessed Sacrament is exposed before or after Mass go down on both knees.

.
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Strictly speaking, that hasn’t been required since the 1970’s. Many people still do it, though, and might be scandalised if you don’t,
 
Little_One0307 said:
Always sitting down with a missalete and working your way through helps one. I know this sounds really corny, but it really helped me. When I came into the church, I would go through the missalete and rehearse the Mass parts. I would read through the Mass and pay attention to the directions when given about standing, kneeling, and stuff.

Someone told me to remember the acronym STOP before sitting down in my pew. It sounds ridicoulous but I used to have to think about it, and to this day, it goes through my head when entering a church and before sitting in the pew.

Head down the aisle and when you find a pew that is inviting do the following.

S - STOP - Stop. Do not ente the pew.

T - Tabernacle - Find the tabernacle, genuflect to Jesus in the Tabernacle. Go down on right leg until your right knee touches the floor. Then come up. Cross yourself when genuflecting.

O - Orient yourself to the altar and bow - now I know that some people just genuflect to the Tabernacle, yet I have learned to bow deeply, [bow at the waist] as a sign of respect to the Altar.

P - Pew may be entered at this time.

One of the usual helpful hints is When in Rome do as the Romans do. Most of the Catholics know what to do and when to do it. This usually is a good thing to follow and can be a guide during the Mass.

I hope this helps.

Little One0307
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That is very handy, thanks!
 
Addai said:
That is very handy, thanks!
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I went to Mass one time and was passing this onto a sponsee I was sponsoring into the Catholic Church. The person liked it. I had always advocated arriving to Mass early.

Well one day I was in a hurry because I was running late to Mass [which should have never happened, but hey the traffic lights just know when I am late and conspire to work against me when I am :D]. I got to the Church, whipped my hand through the Holy Water while feeling very self conscious and nervous.

Well I zommed to a pew, genuflected to the Tabernacle and hastily sat down. Much to my embarassment, I heard a voice whisper behind me, Guess ya did not stop properly, it was my sponsee. Man how embarassing. I just did the humble thing and got out of the pew and “Stopped” properly.

You are welcome.

And to you other guys who responded to my question within this thread thanks. Glad to know that neither form is incorrect and is acceptable. 👍

God bless you guys.

Little One0307
 
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