I Have Questions About How to Go to Mass and also if this Would Affect my Dream of My Religious Vocation

[GOfficial]

Hello, I am a 16 year old Catholic whose parents generally do not practice the faith outside of normal stuff like baptisms, confirmations, etc and I have personally wanting to go to Mass and participate in things like Confession for a long time so I do not know how to even enter a church. Also, I have really thought for a long time about joining a seminary and eventually becoming a Priest. I searched for some of these questions online and couldn’t find the answer to them. Here are some questions I have,

1. This may be a stupid question but, How do I join a Church and go to a Mass, do I just walk in or do I generally have to talk to someone to join a church or something?
2. How would I be able to even be able to confess my sins to a Priest before I even join said Mass if I haven’t joined that church before?
3. How would I get my parents to allow me to go to a church as they are against the idea of me going or should I just go on my own?
4. Would me not having been able to go to Mass affect me being able to join a seminary after I graduate?

 

[ZemD]

To join a Catholic parish you generally call or go to the rectory during office hours and give them your information. You do not need to belong to the parish to attend mass.

To go to confession, you make an appointment with the priest or go to the church during the scheduled confession time.

Ask your parents first. If they say no you will have to listen, as you still live with them.

I don’t think so, but your diocese vocations office or department could tell you for sure.

 

[paperwight]

To join a Catholic parish you generally call or go to the rectory during office hours and give them your information. You do not need to belong to the parish to attend mass.

Welcome! Lovely to hear your wish to become a priest. Just take one step at a time.

Anyone is welcome to attend Mass, but receiving Holy Communion is something you will have to refrain from until you have spoken to a priest and asked about Confession.

 

[1ke]

This may be a stupid question but, How do I join a Church and go to a Mass, do I just walk in or do I generally have to talk to someone to join a church or something?

You say you are Catholic, I presume means you were baptized. You are already a member of the church. You can go to mass anytime you like. Yes you just walk in keeping in mind that during coronavirus there may be some special procedures going on.

You should also make an appointment to speak to the priest. It doesn’t sound like you received additional sacraments growing up, communion, confession, confirmation. If that is the case the priest can help you with completion of your sacraments of initiation.

How would I be able to even be able to confess my sins to a Priest before I even join said Mass if I haven’t joined that church before?

If you were baptized Catholic, you are already a Catholic. If you have gone to first confession as a child, then you just simply go to confession and speak to the priest and let him know you’ve been away from the church through no fault of your own. Tell him about your parents etc. And follow his instructions. If you never had first confession, then you should mention it to the priest that you would like to begin going to confession.

How would I get my parents to allow me to go to a church as they are against the idea of me going or should I just go on my own?

Your parents are against you going, then you should obey your parents. When you’re 18 then you can begin going to church. God knows your heart. It’s certainly fine to discuss with them your desire to go to church, but ultimately you should not go behind your back or disobey them while you are a minor in their house.

Would me not having been able to go to Mass affect me being able to join a seminary after I graduate?

No. You should speak to your local priest, and also the vocations director at your diocese. I know it is difficult to have patience, but you will need to do so so that you can begin pursuing your religious vocation after you were 18.