How attending a non-Catholic church helped strengthen my faith as a Catholic

[Bakuryokuso]

I would point out that most protestants, when I’ve pointed out that a Catholic is expected to attend Mass, have been understanding. It just doesn’t occur to them, because for a protestant to attend a different protestant church on sunday wouldn’t be considered a sin. Not all try to recruit Catholics away from attending Mass.

Fair enough. My Protestant buddy who attends Mass me is respectful, I should say. In general though, Protestant churches were created in rebellion to the Holy Father, hence the name “Protestant”. I suppose many rank-and-file Protestants are respectful of Catholics but I reckon it’d be rare for a Protestant minister to turn a Catholic away if they wanted to join a Protestant church.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

I was torn between posting this here or under non-Catholic religions, but here goes:

I recently had the good fortune to be visiting my cousins while in their town on business. I was excited to attend their church with them, …

…Yes He is! Yes He is! Break these chains…

I want to say that I went to your blog and it is beautiful. I noticed as soon as it opened.

Thank you for your post. It sounds like God was using many ways to speak to you.

I am an ex-protestant and before that a cradle Catholic. Before I left the church and became protestant I remember sitting with my mom talking and she gave me similar advice as others are here and I spoke to her and said, “I will never leave the Catholic church.” It was about a year later after attending ecumenical services and being invited to protestant services, I was gone, for 12 years. To this day I so regret it. I do believe God spoke to me during those times and was leading me but I can look back and see now it was step by step back to the Catholic faith.

From what I understand if it is a special occasion, as it was in your situation, it is allowed but we are just not to supplement the mass with protestant services.

I noticed you said the night before you went to mass and the singing struggled and not too inspiring. I guess that is because mass is not the same as the protestant service. From my experience in the protestant churches is they are very exciting because they are not there for reconciliation or communion but to show gratitude for being “saved” and also they want to keep numbers of people coming in so the service needs to be exciting or people leave.
It is funny when you first experience a service like that you think how can any one sleep through it but my husband could because he got used to it.

It sounds like your experience was very moving and God was speaking to you. It sounds like from your post that you already know what the mass is and how we Catholics have the ultimate truth, even though sometimes mass doesn’t seem as exciting as the upbeat protestant services but really when you think about it, mass should be solemn and prayerful as we are in the very presence of God and we truly should be humbling ourselves.

I guess my concern would be that some might come to see it as okay to attend protestant services a long with mass or going somewhere where else might be more exciting. (I don’t think that is what you were saying.) How exciting can you get, though, than to be actually in the same room with the very body and blood, soul and divinity, the very person of our Lord and Savior.

God bless and I am sure our Lord will continue to lead you.

 

[ccmcmg]

Some Protestant churches do follow the Revised Common Lectionary. My point was that a broken clock will be right twice a day… i.e., there’s bound to be “truth” among Protestants because they use and venerate the Bible. But that shouldn’t be used as an argument to validate them in their heresies. God can speak to anyone, anywhere, and use any method he so chooses.

I can assure you that this was not the case. There was no preaching on this topic, nor was it mentioned in the Lectionary, either the Catholic one or any that the other church was using. Can you not ACCEPT that the Lord performed this in my heart, because I know it to be so? God works in MANY ways, and gives us the answers we need or seek.

Because you posted this in the Traditional Catholicism sub-forum. The traditional Catholic view is that it’s a sin for a Catholic to attend a church service of a heretical Protestant sect without a good reason. At any rate, a Catholic’s time would be better spent attempting to receive a plenary indulgence for a poor soul in purgatory by spending 30 minutes reading the Bible.

Thank you for your comment on what my time would have been spent better doing. I’m sure that we could go around and around on that one. And I have given this a lot of thought; I do sincerely believe that it was for ‘good reason’, whether you agree with the reason or not.

Like I said, it’s between you, God, and your priest whether this was a valid situation or not. If it was me, I’d just wait outside and speak to a family member between church activities.

That was not an option. People don’t need to keep looking for ulterior motives or agendas.

No Protestant service can be “with full power and grace of God’s love”. They’re heretics who don’t have a valid priesthood and don’t have access to the Holy Eucharist or confession.

And I would argue that it’s much more dangerous to go to a Protestant service than go to a bar. I’ve gone to a bar with other Catholics, had a drink, and left. I don’t see what the problem is there.

But many Catholics have left the church because they began attending Protestant services and were led astray.

I was the one filled with the power and Grace of God’s Love; I’m sorry that didn’t come across the way intended. I do think (correct me if I’m wrong…although I’m sure people will correct me even if I’m right) that some churches DO have some of the truth, but not the full truth, the fullness of the Catholic church. I also believe that many people have joined the Catholic church because of the good example of Catholics.

For me, attending a Protestant service is not really “visiting with family”, in the same way that see a movie in a theatre wouldn’t be visiting with them… yiou’re all doing something else, you’re not really spending time with each.

Think of it this way: all things being equal, it’s a mortal sin for a Catholic not to attend Mass on Sundays. What do you think Protestants do? They actively try to recruit Catholics to attend their services, and stop attending Mass. They’re spreading heresies and leading Catholics to abandon the one true faith. Me, personally, I don’t want to have anything to do with that, and I’m not ashamed to say so.

Like I mentioned, I have a Protestant buddy who attends Mass with me on a weekly basis, we pray on the phone together one-on-one, and we’ve been to ecumencial services together. I think that’s a more appropriate way to spread Catholic truth to Protestants.

What is appropriate for you may not be appropriate for all. For me, it was connecting with family. My soul was not in danger, and I know that I did not do anything wrong by being there. I will continue to trust in God’s message for me, as He has never led me astray…not today, not in the past, and not in the future. I was not recruited to miss Mass; I would never do such a thing; in fact, I told my cousins that I could not attend, even if it meant missing them, if I had to miss Mass.

I appreciate your points of view, although I disagree deeply as it relates to me. Perhaps I haven’t been clear enough for some to understand, and I haven’t explained it to the ability of others to understand. Part of my understanding of MY situation, and what God wanted of me, is because I know my past and present, and He knows my future as well.

God bless you.

 

[ccmcmg]

I want to say that I went to your blog and it is beautiful. I noticed as soon as it opened.

Thank you for your post. It sounds like God was using many ways to speak to you.

I am an ex-protestant and before that a cradle Catholic. Before I left the church and became protestant I remember sitting with my mom talking and she gave me similar advice as others are here and I spoke to her and said, “I will never leave the Catholic church.” It was about a year later after attending ecumenical services and being invited to protestant services, I was gone, for 12 years. To this day I so regret it. I do believe God spoke to me during those times and was leading me but I can look back and see now it was step by step back to the Catholic faith.

From what I understand if it is a special occasion, as it was in your situation, it is allowed but we are just not to supplement the mass with protestant services.

I noticed you said the night before you went to mass and the singing struggled and not too inspiring. I guess that is because mass is not the same as the protestant service. From my experience in the protestant churches is they are very exciting because they are not there for reconciliation or communion but to show gratitude for being “saved” and also they want to keep numbers of people coming in so the service needs to be exciting or people leave.
It is funny when you first experience a service like that you think how can any one sleep through it but my husband could because he got used to it.

It sounds like your experience was very moving and God was speaking to you. It sounds like from your post that you already know what the mass is and how we Catholics have the ultimate truth, even though sometimes mass doesn’t seem as exciting as the upbeat protestant services but really when you think about it, mass should be solemn and prayerful as we are in the very presence of God and we truly should be humbling ourselves.

I guess my concern would be that some might come to see it as okay to attend protestant services a long with mass or going somewhere where else might be more exciting. (I don’t think that is what you were saying.) How exciting can you get, though, than to be actually in the same room with the very body and blood, soul and divinity, the very person of our Lord and Savior.

God bless and I am sure our Lord will continue to lead you.

Thank you for the kind reply, and compliments. I can see where it would be easy to say “oh, Chris went to a Protestant service and she was FINE, so I will too.” I don’t want that to be the case. I was sharing my own experience, and gave the reasons why…and how it led me personally to grow deeper in my Catholic Faith and God…it wasn’t because of anything their church did…it was what they didn’t do, or have.

My own home parish has an amazing choir and music accompaniment; this particular parish did not. I grew up in a music-starved parish, so it actually makes me feel even more at ‘home’ when there is no music, or just basics. I agree that this may not be for everyone, or anyone. I just know what I was called to do, called to be at, and that calling was from our Lord. I prayed with the Hail Mary during their service that I would be a light or example to someone of a good Catholic, and that they might be called Home.

Perhaps one of my biggest points was this: even with all the flash, glamour and excitement of the Protestant service, I needed, wanted, my own Catholic church and Faith, which might not have all of that, but what it does have is the Fullness of the Truth, the True Church. Thank you for your comments and polite discourse. God bless you, and thank you.

 

[Bakuryokuso]

Quote:
In the first place a Catholic has no business attending Protestant church services even occasionally. To participate in a heretical worship service and especially a communion service can be sinful for a Catholic because such an act is an affirmation of what we believe to be untrue. To attend an ecumenical service or a wedding or baptism is allowed, but Catholics are not allowed to attend such churches for the main reason of worship. Now if there are no Catholic churches in the vicinity on a Sunday, Catholics are allowed to participate in the Liturgy of Churches whose clergy are validly ordained such as the Eastern Orthodox Churches—including the reception of the Eucharist. Although we consider them to be in schism (not in union with the Pope) with the Catholic Church, such Churches are not heretical and share our basic beliefs.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

From the point of view of traditional Catholicism, God typically wouldn’t lead anyone to attend a Protestant worship service. If you received an encouraging message while there, God could be speaking to you in spite of your ignorance about attending Protestant services. It doesn’t mean because you heard something good that he wanted you there.

For the life of me, I can’t understand why you posted this in the Traditional Catholicism forum when Traditional Catholicism advises against doing the very thing you did. At the very least, your experience is not normative for Catholics and is perhaps better left unshared lest it encourage anyone else to do the same.

Protestants are in error and in open rebellion to the Holy Father. They have created alternative structures to the one, true church - false bishops and ministers and cathedrals and liturgies and doctrines and whatnot. Catholics have no business attending their services.

The objectivity of the principles of Traditional Catholicism should outweigh our own personal subjectivity, even if that hurts our feelings or means we admit that we were wrong. That’s part of being humble.

 

[Tigg]

For the life of me, I can’t understand why you posted this in the Traditional Catholicism forum when Traditional Catholicism advises against doing the very thing you did. At the very least, your experience is not normative for Catholics and is perhaps better left unshared lest it encourage anyone else to do the same.

I must say, I agree with you. I know from others who have shared their experiences with me how they have inadvertently endangered their faith even through an “innocent” sharing of scripture or a night of fellowship. It is a subtle temptation in which Satan can use to misdirect and/or confuse, although it does not sound like that is what happened to the OP.

For Catholics, our absolute Source is the Eucharist and when we have that, what could POSSIBLY be lacking? Not to mention the collection of spiritual treasures held by the Church and the inspiration of saints who have gone before us.

 

[BertBlyleven]

One cannot lead himself or herself, and this is an area where direction is needed. The OP should speak to a good priest about this sort of stuff. Self-assurance is never a good thing, even if you are correct.

 

[commenter]

I led a Catholic charismatic prayer group 30 years ago. The parish I was in would preach the “peace and justice” from the daily newspaper, with little or no doctrine, no supernatural content in the Sunday liturgy. The congregation would essentially worship the congregation. I visited the Assembly of God church, where the service seemed much more focused on God. The pastor was not only a far better preacher, but preached content that I felt - and still feel - was more solid than the Catholic parish, often bringing in C. S. Lewis, or the reality of angels, for instance. I thought, and still feel, he was closer to JP II than the liberal Catholic pastor.

While I had never wavered in my commitment to Catholic belief, people from my prayer group would see me at the Pentecostal church. Some were indeed wavering, and seeing me there, regarded that as an endorsement - of Protestantism. They never had the catechetical foundation I had, so they saw no need to remain Catholic. I failed to practice the virtue of prudence. Our actions influence others. There may also have been A of G members considering the deeper sacramental life of Catholicism; seeing me at their church discouraged their further inquiry into Catholicism.

The other problem is that I asked the wrong question - “how does this service make me feel?” - the right question is “what is actually happening at this A of G service, or at this Catholic Mass?” Looking at worship objectively, rather than subjectively, puts things in a different perspective.

 

[PeaceInChrist]

I led a Catholic charismatic prayer group 30 years ago. The parish I was in would preach the “peace and justice” from the daily newspaper, with little or no doctrine,** no supernatural content in the Sunday liturgy**…

I’m not sure if you meant it this way, but that statement is, by it’s nature, an impossible contradiction. The entire Liturgy is supernatural: it is the divine worship of God according to His will, through the spotless Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no higher form of prayer, no matter how old or boring the priest, no matter how dry and tired the homily.

 

[Cat]

So in your experience you have observed it?

Praying to the saints and our Blessed Mother is very much a part of my prayer life. If it’s truly an inter faith service it should be accommodating to all faiths.

If it’s truly an “inter-faith service,” you will see not only various types of Christians (Protestants, Catholics, and the occasional Orthodox), but you will also see Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist, Scientologist, LDS, JWs, the B’hai, Native Americans, Pagans, Wiccans, and many other "religions, and representatives all of these will most likely be invited to pray a prayer out loud that is from their “faith tradition” and NO ONE is allowed to proselytize or denigrate any one’s prayer or their religion.

So your prayer to the saints would be perfectly acceptable. You could even pray it kneeling or prostrate, and in Latin.

In our city, I play piano for such a service. It is held not with the motive of actually praying, but to express tolerance of and love for others. It is also meant as a learning experience for those who wish to meet people of other faiths and learn about their religion.

I see nothing wrong and much good with participating in such an event. I know very little of religions outside of Christianity and Judaism, and I think it is good to be knowledgeable, at least in a small way, about those who are not Christians. I want everyone to know Jesus Christ and be part of His Church, and that means that I need to know what people believe in other than Jesus.

One group, though, that you will probably not see at true “interfaith” services is Evangelical Protestants. They generally stay away from these events, as they refuse to appear as though they are endorsing the false religions, or the religions that are opposed to Jesus Christ, Messiah.

Does this sound like some of the “traditional Catholic” thinking that I am reading on this thread?

The problem with this is that the Evangelical Protestants appear as intolerant, fanatical, unfriendly, and willfully ignorant. I spent years as an Evangelical Protestant, and I really don’t think that they accomplish much by staying away from “ecumenical events.” Many Evangelical Protestants donate large amounts of money to missionaries who go to the lands where the Hindi, the Buddhist, the Muslims, Pagans, etc. live. But they ignore the non-Christian people who live in their own cities and neighborhoods. That makes no sense.

Why not invest the time in meeting these people, learning about their faith tradition, and being friends with them? It will take years, but the constant and unfailing quiet witness of the Christian may, through the Holy Spirit, gradually win over the non-Christian. What a wonderful thing!–to be the instrument that God uses to lead someone to Jesus and to heaven!

 

[commenter]

I’m not sure if you meant it this way, but that statement is, by it’s nature, an impossible contradiction. The entire Liturgy is supernatural: it is the divine worship of God according to His will, through the spotless Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no higher form of prayer, no matter how old or boring the priest, no matter how dry and tired the homily.

Of course the Mass is supernatural! It’s our participation in the liturgy of Heaven, and their joining us right here. But this reality is not made obvious in all churches. Some parishes regard the Mass (often called “mass”) as the coming together of the faith community; where the community itself makes Christ present by their love for each other. In my parish, the Blessed Sacrament was moved from the Church to a room down the hall, because they wanted to put the emphasis on THIS gathering making Christ present NOW. The Crucifix was removed too; no kneelers either. The Sign of Peace was the actual high point of the Mass (or “mass”), along with holding hands at the Lord’s Prayer. The consecration was almost an afterthought. The message was that the whole congregation consecrated, not just a priest.

But just because that parish made the supernatural character hard to notice, doesn’t mean the Mass wasn’t supernatural - that’s the point I didn’t realize 30 some years ago, but do realize now. So my point is that it was not helpful to me to supplement my spirituality with a Protestant church that felt more attractive to me because of the externals, but lacked the reality of the Sacrament. Of course, if I had been paying better attention at Mass, maybe I would have noticed that sooner. At the Pentecostal church I could feel the “Spirit moving” in an emotional way. The Mass is something more, even if not said in a reverent way. The reality is different.

 

[Tigg]

Of course the Mass is supernatural! It’s our participation in the liturgy of Heaven, and their joining us right here. But this reality is not made obvious in all churches. Some parishes regard the Mass (often called “mass”) as the coming together of the faith community; where the community itself makes Christ present by their love for each other. In my parish, the Blessed Sacrament was moved from the Church to a room down the hall, because they wanted to put the emphasis on THIS gathering making Christ present NOW. The Crucifix was removed too; no kneelers either. The Sign of Peace was the actual high point of the Mass (or “mass”), along with holding hands at the Lord’s Prayer. The consecration was almost an afterthought. The message was that the whole congregation consecrated, not just a priest.

But just because that parish made the supernatural character hard to notice, doesn’t mean the Mass wasn’t supernatural - that’s the point I didn’t realize 30 some years ago, but do realize now.** So my point is that it was not helpful to me to supplement my spirituality with a Protestant church that felt more attractive to me because of the externals, but lacked the reality of the Sacrament.** Of course, if I had been paying better attention at Mass, maybe I would have noticed that sooner. At the Pentecostal church I could feel the “Spirit moving” in an emotional way. The Mass is something more, even if not said in a reverent way. The reality is different.

You’ve explained this well and because my situation is similar to yours, I understand exactly what you mean when you say:

The congregation would essentially worship the congregation.

Prior to our former pastor being reassigned, our liturgy focused on the transcendent. Within the past two years, our worship and faith life has been re-directed toward community as primary, although we haven’t yet gone to the extremes you cite above. Community has its place and is important, but the Mass must include its four ends - one of which is adoration and worship of Christ. I am reading a book by a Catholic philosopher and theologian who stated that placing man before God, (such as we sometimes see in the liturgy today) is a “false philosophy of religion.”

We need to be very careful of sentimentality since the Church fathers have always warned we are not to judge our spiritual progress based upon emotions - they are very often incorrect and misdirected; rather we should live in the darkness of faith and praise God when consolation occurs, but not seek it or somehow think if we don’t have a religious “high” during Mass, the Mass is insufficient.

I personally know of a parishioner many years ago who started to attend Weds night services at a nearby Protestant church. Her daughter’s best friend belonged to this church and she allowed her daughter to go, then decided she too, would tag along. Months later, I ran into her at a neighbor’s house and when I remarked that I never saw her at Mass anymore, she told me she was now attending this Protestant church and considered herself a full member. When I point blank asked her how she could leave the Eucharist behind, she said, but I haven’t. We have communion at this church, too. In her case, the combining elements of poor catechesis, a non understanding and lack of appreciation for what the Mass truly is and a weakened faith caused her to lose her faith.

 

[ccmcmg]

For those of you still following, I spoke my priest/confessor this evening, and was assured that I did not sin by attending the non-Catholic service; I did not miss Mass or use it to replace Mass. I did not receive communion or such. We spoke of my extent of participation, and there was no issue for me.

Thank you for your contributions, prayers, and thoughts. God bless you.

 

[cococandy]

The traditional Catholic view is that it’s a sin for a Catholic to attend a church service of a heretical Protestant sect without a good reason.
No Protestant service can be “with full power and grace of God’s love”. They’re heretics who don’t have a valid priesthood and don’t have access to the Holy Eucharist or confession.

I think you are going to be a little surprised “If or when” you get to heaven to find it full
of us heretical Protestants

 

[ccmcmg]

I think you are going to be a little surprised “If or when” you get to heaven to find it full
of us heretical Protestants

No one is saying or judging who will or won’t be in Heaven. However, I do agree that if I accept (and I do) the full Catholic teaching, it would be sinful (very) for me to embrace and participate in other religions as if I approved of their teachings. Like if you work for one company, you might be kind and tolerate other businesses, but it would be wrong for you to be an employee of a ‘rival company’ or partake in their benefits.