I am Going to My First Roman Catholic Mass Tomorrow

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Have one more question to ask. Do you believe in Apostolic Succession?

I have hard time understanding how anyone can walk into Catholic Church and become Catholic in instant. Normally, in order to become Catholic, you still need to go through some type of RCIA program.
 
margya said:
Have one more question to ask. Do you believe in Apostolic Succession?

I have hard time understanding how anyone can walk into Catholic Church and become Catholic in instant. Normally, in order to become Catholic, you still need to go through some type of RCIA program.
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I was just making a point - I hope you didn’t take it as meaning he really did become Catholic - although he might as well have, because he won’t do anything more in RCIA than he just finished doing tonight.
 
jmcrae said:
I was just making a point - I hope you didn’t take it as meaning he really did become Catholic - although he might as well have, because he won’t do anything more in RCIA than he just finished doing tonight.
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It was an amazing service (I felt like I did the first time I went into an Anglican Church…and I ended up becoming Anglican…UH-OH 👍).

Prior to the Mass, I did go to Confession and received Absolution (this is actually the second time I have received Reconciliation from a Roman Catholic Priest). Although the Priest was trying to nudge me into Roman Catholicism when I told him I was Anglican, but when we talked a bit afterwards he said I was probably better off than a lot of Roman Catholics because:
  1. I do believe in the Real Presence and the importance of the Eucharist
  2. I recognize the importance of being in a state of grace prior to reception of the Sacrament
The Mass itself was very similar to an Anglican Eucharist (or Mass as some Anglicans do call it). The only thing that bugged me liturgically was when I went to receive the Cup and the person actually handed me the Chalice (I am used to, at an Anglican/Episcopal service, you can touch the Chalice and guide it to your lips and such, but the Chalice Bearer/Acolyte never actually lets go of the Chalice and maintains relative control over it). Minor issue though.

I truly did enjoy it and, as I have said multiple times, I recognize Roman Catholic Holy Orders, Apostolic Succession and Sacraments as being valid, so I had no qualms receiving from the hands of a Papist (with my view that the Pope’s role as Bishop of Rome is Catholic [Universal], not just Roman Catholic, some might call me a Papist). 🙂

My plan is to attend Mass until my parish is back open again (I may go to the Assumption of Mary service and a Saturday Vigil). One thing I truly love about the Roman Catholic Church is that you have Mass everyday (although I would not do that now because it would be abusing the privilege I have been granted) and schedules for Reconciliation everyday.

I sometimes wish I could be Roman Catholic.

👍 👍 👍 👍
 
jmcrae said:
If he sees it as equivalent to a Catholic Confirmation - then you just made First Confession and First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Congrats, you’re a full member, now. 😉
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Well, in a way, since Anglicans recognize Roman Catholic Holy Orders and Sacraments, then, for an Anglican, a Roman Catholic Rite of Confirmation has the same validity as an Anglican Confirmation. In fact, if a Roman Catholic wishes to become a part of the Anglican Communion, they are not Confirmed, but are Received (although done by a Bishop, Reception is not technically a Sacrament since we recognize the Confirmation a Roman Catholic would have received at the hands of a Roman Catholic Priest or Bishop).

The only difference between Roman Catholic and Anglican Confirmation is that the Anglican Communion requires a Bishop to perform a Confirmation, whereas, in Roman Catholicism, a Priest may perform a Confirmation.
 
Now I have two more things to consider:
  1. Should I go to a daily Mass on Wednesday? After all, my Episcopal Chapel House would, if it was open, have a Eucharist service on Wednesday and, under normal circumstances, I would attend. Thus, it is a situation where I would normally be able to receive Communion on Wednesday, but am unable to since my parish (technically ‘chapel’ is closed).
  2. Should I attend the Assumption of Mary service on Friday? In the Episcopal Church, it is the day of St. Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ and is a Major Feast/Holy Day. I do not think the Chapel House I attend would offer a service that Friday (they might, but we usually do not celebrate separate services like that, although it would be discussed on Sunday or Wednesday), but if they were, I would definitely attend and I wish that the Chapel House I attend would do Eucharist more often and more fully follow the Liturgical Calendar.
On the one hand, I do not want to abuse the privilege, even honor, that I have been allowed by the Roman Catholic Priest at the Student Center/Church, but on the other hand, being spiritually fed and celebrating the day of the Mother of Our Lord are both extremely important I think.

EDIT: By the way, I hope this thread is not offensive to anyone. I know some Roman Catholic disagree with the Priest’s decision in regards to my case, but I also think it is important to discuss these issues and hear what everyone thinks. 🙂
 
Certainly not at all offensive to me! My experience is that if I lay down laws and regulations within which The Lord must work, he simply walks right through them disinterested. I’ve never been good with rules, laws and regulations although I believe in them and some more than others. They should never be ends in themselves, rather guidelines to an end purpose or objective, of which the end purpose or objective is the superior. The other is merely the servant.

I can’t answer your questions…I think the answer can only come from you and after seeking advice that you consider to be wise and informed and will not lead you astray. To my mind if one in good faith follows a priest’s instructions, even if he is wrong, the one who has heeded the advice is not. I am not sufficiently educated I think to pass any comment at all on what Father has said to you. I can say this - if I respected Father as a priest in every way, then I would heed him and not advice given to me on a Catholic discussion board if it proved contrary and I had no reason to hold Father suspect. In fact if I did get contrary advice and it disturbed me I would discuss it with Father and be guided by him “Seek after Peace and pursue it”… “My Peace I give to you”
On the one hand, I do not want to abuse the privilege, even honor, that I have been allowed by the Roman Catholic Priest at the Student Center/Church, but on the other hand, being spiritually fed and celebrating the day of the Mother of Our Lord are both extremely important I think.
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You would not necessarily be abusing the privilege and honor granted to you. If in doubt, seek further advice. And Our Lady I know would be overwhelmed (and being Our Lady, even humbled) with gratitude for your closing comments above. The Lord would certainly love you for it. All my opinions unless stated otherwise.

From reading your posts only I have considerable admiration and respect for you - and how wonderful to have experience and knowledge of the Jewish tradition which formed Christ and to move on from that to Christ Himself and Christianity and my prayer will be to Catholicism if The Lord may Will…Blessings and my regards…Barb:)
 
Muzhik said:
Snper7, Shalom!

The way BarbaraTheres may be the tradition in Australia, which is part of the British Commonwealth. In America, it’s different in that you use the RIGHT knee.
…Heavily Edited for Space…

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Hi Muzhik…I’m making so many mistakes lately! You are completely correct that it is the right knee!:o …but I had to actually genuflect to get it right. The whole of your post was absolutely fascinating!!!

Left knee, right knee…The Lord judges the heart, not appearances (which is a general comment only and not at all directed at you, Muzhik. In fact I am glad you corrected me and put things right) Goodness we have so many rules and regulations to cover so very many subjects !!! Be that as it may, I was very wrong and you are completely correct…even in Australia:D

Blessings and my regards and with my apologies, yet again, to readers…Barb:)
 
Jennifer_G said:
:whistle: I thought it was a water fountain when I first saw one when I was a kid.
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…:rotfl:… ahhhh childhood. I could never figure out what men had to do with praying…as in A men. …or why there was" morning and weeping" in the Hail Holy Queen …
…someone sure got carried away with our holy water font at Saturday Evening Vigil Mass…the font was full to overflowing and the carpet was drenched underneath…ahhh Catholics:thumbsup: …
 
nsper7 said:
Here is specifically what the Priest told me (he is the head priest at the Catholic Student Center/Church). In order for the Non-Roman Catholic to take Communion at an RC Church, the following must be true:
  1. The individual must be validly Baptized
  2. They must be in a state of grace as their own Rite/denomination would define it (in other words, how would I prepare spiritually before receiving Eucharist at an Episcopal Church?)
  3. They must believe in the Real Presence (when I told him I believe in the RP, but not necessarily transubstantiation, he said it was okay)
  4. They must adhere to local customs and forms (i.e. obey required fast, receive as others in parish receive, etc.)
  5. Must be an unusual circumstance or some kind of reason (he said it is left up to the individual’s conscience which he claims overrules even Canon Law)
When he explained this to me, it seemed that hew viewed as the norm.

EDIT: This will only be for a couple of weeks at most (until the Episcopal Chapel re-opens).
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Oh, I see. I didn’t know much about this - I am glad you had a great experience at the Mass.

If you have already gone to daily mass and other feast day at your church, then you can always go to the Catholic church for these few weeks. 🙂
 
Praised be Jesus Christ!
nsper7 said:
Well, I am actually already Confirmed…into the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion. Remember, Anglicanism recognizes Roman Catholic Holy Orders and the validity of RC Sacraments.
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You may be, but according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the minister of confirmation is a validly ordained bishop. The Episcopal Minister (I avoid the word priest because the Catholic Church regards Anglican Orders as invalid and null) who confirmed you is not in full communion with the Church of Rome, and the priest is in error you cannot receive the Eucharist, UNLESS his local CATHOLIC Ordinary made special arrangements.

CCC, part II, sec. 2, chp. I, art. 3, pg. 1400 clearly states that:

Eclesial communities derived from the reformation and separated from the Catholic Church " have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders, for this reason, for the Catholic Church, Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible

Your church may say that our Holy Orders are valid, this is true,but the Church says that Episcopal/Anglican orders are not, and the Catholic Church is the one from which you wish to receive the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is a sign of the unity of faith, since you are not completely unified with the Catholic Church, you do not profess the same faith, you may say that you do, but until you receive first confession, gone through RCIA, and get confirmed by a valid Catholic Bishop, you cannot receive the Eucharist in the sence of which you are speaking.

So, please, out of respect for our faith, do not receive the Eucharist until you become Catholic, in full communion with Rome.

Blessings upon you!
Pat
 
totustuus
So, please, out of respect for our faith, do not receive the Eucharist until you become Catholic, in full communion with Rome.
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This is not correct, in the OP’s case.
When other Christians who believe what the Catholic church teaches concerning the Holy Eucharist are deprived of access to a church of their own denomination for a significant period of time, they too may be admitted to Communion in the Catholic Church in exceptional circumstances (cf. Canon 844 §4). These exceptional circumstances are also described by the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
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When, in the Ordinary’s judgment, a grave necessity arises, Catholic ministers may give the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who ask for them of their own will, provided they give evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments and possess the required dispositions. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1401)
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usccb.org/liturgy/q%26a/mass/communion.shtml
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So, the priest was correct in allowing the OP to receive Holy Communion.

Jim
 
I believe the Catholic priest that invited you to receive the Eucharist is in grave error.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
totustuus

This is not correct, in the OP’s case.

So, the priest was correct in allowing the OP to receive Holy Communion.

Jim
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You have misquoted the Code of Canon Law (to an extent):

Can. 844 §4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.

The priest did err, because he did not contact his local ordinary , the Code of Canon Law on the USCCB website is not the same as that on the vatican website.
I personally would rather go with the Vatican.
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2T.HTM

AND this does not involve a grave matter!
 
totustuus
You have misquoted the Code of Canon Law (to an extent):
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I didn’t misquote anything. I copied and pasted it from the USCCB website.
The priest did err, because he did not contact his local ordinary ,
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Many Bishops give the priest that serve under them, the authority to make such decisions. I have seen times where the priest has more expertise on the issue than the Bishop. I’ve seen cases where the parish priests are theologians and liturgist, who the Bishops consult for on issues.

My confessor, who is now a pastor of a parish, was once the head of the theology department at the local Catholic College.
He got tired of the job and asked to be assigned to a parish.

Don’t assume that the OP’s priest didn’t have permission to make such a decision, or that he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

My advice to the OP is, go by what the pastor at the parish you’re attending tells you.

Jim
 
jmcrae said:
You are going to Confession with a Catholic priest? :confused:

If you make a Profession of Faith and get Confirmed before receiving Holy Communion, you will be Catholic. 😉

PS: If this priest accepts your Confirmation as valid, you will be officially a Roman Catholic at the moment that you receive Holy Communion. 👍
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There is a process to joining the Church…it is not as simple as that.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
totustuus

I didn’t misquote anything. I copied and pasted it from the USCCB website.

No bishop can give a priest authority to circumvent Canon Law. No bishop is above Canon Law.

Many Bishops give the priest that serve under them, the authority to make such decisions. I have seen times where the priest has more expertise on the issue than the Bishop. I’ve seen cases where the parish priests are theologians and liturgist, who the Bishops consult for on issues.

The bishop cannot override Canon law and even the Pope would never even think about it.

My confessor, who is now a pastor of a parish, was once the head of the theology department at the local Catholic College.
He got tired of the job and asked to be assigned to a parish.

Don’t assume that the OP’s priest didn’t have permission to make such a decision, or that he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

The bishop is NOT authorized to override Canon Law…no bishop can.

My advice to the OP is, go by what the pastor at the parish you’re attending tells you.

The priest is in error, Jim.

Jim
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I’m not sure you’re allowed to receive actually (🤷 ). Last time I checked, I thought only Orthodox, the Polish National Church, and Catholics could receive Communion from a Catholic Church. I could be completely wrong though 😃 When I go to an Orthodox Church, I don’t take Communion (since we’re not in communion with them…yet:D )

Either way I hope you have / did have a great experience and that all went well!
 
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saylo:
Canon law says that its the ordinary, i.e. the Bishop can give permission. That Bishop can give the decision making authority on this issue to the priest, especially if the Bishop knows the priest well enough to trust his decision. Pastors don’t operate in a vacuum. They’re usually well connected with their Bishop.

In this case, you have no proof that the priest is in error, and the statement is merely your assumption.

Jim
 
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