How do I Mass?

[GNM1999]

So, I went to my first Mass last week, and I walked in sort of fast-like ( partly to get a seat near the rear of the church, but mostly because i was so nervous), and all the reading about the proper respect when entering a church went out the window at lightspeed (I didn’t make the sign of the cross, I didn’t genuflect, and I just sat in my pew after I entered until Mass started).

Here’s sort of what I already knew.

1. Enter
2. Take a bulletin
3. Make the sign of the corss after dipping fingers in Holy Water
4. Genuflect before entering pew
   (5. Maybe? I have heard SOMEWHERE thaat you’re supposed to kneel on the kneelers and pray until Mass starts. I saw the couple next to me doing this, but I basically just sat and read the Missal for that day, I may have missed it, but I dont think the other parishoners beside from the couple beside me kneeled and prayed. What should I do? I sat down and for the first few moments just remained and observed the church/other parishioners and then read the missal as I said.)

Is this anywhere near correct?

(Also, my first mass was absolutely Beautiful. I very much intend to convert and I am going to speak with Father this Sunday about classes.)

Thank you for any help and advice you can offer a poor protestant!

 

[EricF]

Just keep doing what you are doing. Follow the others as best you can, enjoy the beauty, and most of all, enjoy the journey!

 

[1ke]

So, I went to my first Mass last week, and I walked in sort of fast-like ( partly to get a seat near the rear of the church, but mostly because i was so nervous), and all the reading about the proper respect when entering a church went out the window at lightspeed (I didn’t make the sign of the cross, I didn’t genuflect, and I just sat in my pew after I entered until Mass started).

You did just fine. You do not need to do any of those things. Relax, take a seat, observe Mass. You are *welcome *to do those things if and when you feel comfortable doing them.

Take a bulletin

Some parishes give these out before mass, some after.

Make the sign of the corss after dipping fingers in Holy Water

You are welcome do to so if you are comfortable doing so.

Genuflect before entering pew

We genuflect to the tabernacle, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If the tabernacle is in a side chapel, we do not genuflect but instead would bow towards the altar.

These are things you will learn if and when you decide to begin the inquiry process at your parish. They are not things you must do now.

I have heard SOMEWHERE thaat you’re supposed to kneel on the kneelers and pray until Mass starts

You **can **do that. You don’t **have **to.

I basically just sat and read the Missal for that day

That is perfectly fine.

What should I do?

Whatever you feel comfortable doing. Whatever you feel moved to do.

I sat down and for the first few moments just remained and observed the church/other parishioners and then read the missal as I said.)

Is this anywhere near correct?

Perfectly fine.

(Also, my first mass was absolutely Beautiful. I very much intend to convert and I am going to speak with Father this Sunday about classes.)

That’s wonderful. Talk to the pastor. Be at ease.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

What you said was correct. It’s commendable to kneel and say a few preparatory prayers before the Mass starts, but it isn’t mandatory or anything. Glad to hear you enjoyed Mass.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I have nothing to add to what 1ke said. You did fine.

You are a visitor…a guest in the parish. Even a Catholic is not obliged to use the holy water font when you enter and leave the Church. As a priest, if I am carrying in several boxes of things to the sacristy, I can assure you that I do not stop to make the sign of the Cross each time I am entering and leaving in the midst of delivering the boxes.

As for taking a bulletin, the pastor will surely bless you. How many calls to the parish office would not be necessary if everyone did take a parish bulletin.

You should be at peace. We are not so terribly rigid.

I am very glad you found it to be such a good experience. I have been remembering you in my prayers since you first broached this prospect months ago. I hope all proceeds well. Best wishes. And do enjoy your new driver’s license.

 

[GNM1999]

Thank you all for the help advice! (and for any more advice and help to come!)

I appreciate very much that you have been praying for me, Don, and everyone else who has done the same.

I can say one thing that is certain, even before converting I feel much more at home here, in His church, than I ever could have dreamed of in Protestant churches. That’s just how I feel, however.

 

[Isca]

Thank you all for the help advice! (and for any more advice and help to come!)

I appreciate very much that you have been praying for me, Don, and everyone else who has done the same.

I can say one thing that is certain, even before converting I feel much more at home here, in His church, than I ever could have dreamed of in Protestant churches. That’s just how I feel, however.

That’s exactly how I felt before I converted.

 

[tee_eff_em]

3. Make the sign of the corss after dipping fingers in Holy Water

You are welcome do to so if you are comfortable doing so.

We take Holy Water and make the Sign of the Cross upon entering the church as a reminder of our first entry into the Church – Our Baptism. The OP does not indicate whether he is Baptized.

I am not saying it is an empty gesture nor necessarily wrong if he has not – Only noting that it is not an action devoid of specific meaning.

tee

 

[petra22]

How wonderful and welcome home. You did everything just right. You chose to be with Jesus in His house, not that the whole world is NOT is house… just a special place to be with Him and do the things he told us to do in remembrance of him…

I like doing what Jesus says. May you and I always try to do what he said and did to show us the way to eternal life. Praying for you…

Jesus, I trust in you. Take care of everything…My Jesus, I trust in you. Take care of everything…

 

[alphomega]

So, I went to my first Mass last week, and I walked in sort of fast-like ( partly to get a seat near the rear of the church, but mostly because i was so nervous), and all the reading about the proper respect when entering a church went out the window at lightspeed (I didn’t make the sign of the cross, I didn’t genuflect, and I just sat in my pew after I entered until Mass started).

Here’s sort of what I already knew.

1. Enter
2. Take a bulletin
3. Make the sign of the corss after dipping fingers in Holy Water
4. Genuflect before entering pew
   (5. Maybe? I have heard SOMEWHERE thaat you’re supposed to kneel on the kneelers and pray until Mass starts. I saw the couple next to me doing this, but I basically just sat and read the Missal for that day, I may have missed it, but I dont think the other parishoners beside from the couple beside me kneeled and prayed. What should I do? I sat down and for the first few moments just remained and observed the church/other parishioners and then read the missal as I said.)

Is this anywhere near correct?

(Also, my first mass was absolutely Beautiful. I very much intend to convert and I am going to speak with Father this Sunday about classes.)

Thank you for any help and advice you can offer a poor protestant!

I’d suggest the first thing you need to do RELAX!! You obviously have been called to the church. The R.C.I.A classes will help immensely. I think as you learn why your doing these things it will make more sense and become second nature. Welcome Home.

 

[GNM1999]

Well, Im about to go to my Second Mass today here in about 45 minutes. Im not nearly as nervous as last time (maybe a lil bit tho ). Thanks everyone for all your help and advice, I appreciate it greatly, I will try to put it to use today.

-G

 

[thecolorsblend]

(Also, my first mass was absolutely Beautiful. I very much intend to convert and I am going to speak with Father this Sunday about classes.)

This is the important stuff. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If all of this is totally new to you, just relax and do what you can. Probably nobody will even notice if you’re not exactly perfect.

Take some breaths, enjoy the ride and welcome to the family!

If you need some direction though, when I come in before Mass starts, I quietly whisper the Glory Be, Our Father, Hail Mary and Alma Redemptoris Mater prayers. After that, I usually just silently ask God to open my mind and my heart for this Mass and to receive the Sacrament worthily, with a humble attitude of gratitude. All together, it usually takes about five minutes or less. It that “long enough”? Well, I’m not out to impress anybody; those things are “long enough” for me and that’s my only concern.

 

[PatrickKennedy]

‘Mass’ is not a verb