I'm so nervous

[japhy]

That makes sense. I guess I just have to really take responsibility for my sins and I’m not excited about that.

Neither were Adam and Eve…

 

[otjm]

Yes that was an extremely long paragraph but there’s more…I was wondering if you guys can explain to me the jist of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil? What should I expect, and how should I dress? What should I be saying and doing? I have not mastered the art of Catholic hand gestures and whatnot so I definetely need help in this department. It would take the edge off if I was more prepared for what is to come, and did any converts here feel really anxious about baptism/confirmation? Or am I just strange

Holy Thursday is a Mass, and we particularly remember the Last Supper. That was the formal institution of the Eucharist, which is the sum and summit of our Faith. At the end of the Mass, the remaining Hosts which have been consecrated will be processed through the church and out to a private tabernacle, and there will be no Mass again in the Church until Holy Saturday night. The removal of the Hosts is to remind us of what is coming - Christ’s death and burial.

Good Friday as noted is not a Mass; it is a prayer service in which we remember particularly Christ’s passion and death. It is by that sacrifice of His life that we are saved.

It will include a reading of the Gospel of His passion, and an opportunity to approach the cross (a rememberance of what He was executed on). Some people will kiss the cross; others touch it; others approach and bow to it. You may do any of the above as nothing specific is required. Communion will be distributed, but the Hosts were consecrated the evening before, and none will be consecrated at this service as it is not a Mass. You will nto receive yet.

Holy Saturday night is a Mass which is quite longer than usual, as at the very begining everyone will be outside as the priest blesses the new fire; the new Easter Candle is “put together” and lighted from the fire, and all proceed into the church where candles everyone is holding will be lighted (this can be quite impressive as the light spreads through the church, a reminder of how the Light of Christ spreads throughout the world).

Then there will be up to 7 readings from the Old Testament (salvation history), then you will be baptized, then confirmed, return to your seat, and the Offeratory, Consecration and related prayers will be said, and then you will make your first Communion.

There are other details, but that is the highlights.

There is little or nothing you will have to say, other than what name you are taking at Baptism (usually your given name, but can be another you add); you might have a confirmation name you have chosen (not required but usually done - a saint) and your godparent may say those names for you. And when you receive Communion, when the priest says “Body of Christ” you answer “Amen”. So not a lot you have to remember.

How you should dress: if your parish has a large baptismal font and you are submerged for Baptism, then something modest (those preparing you for this should answer that). You should be given a white robe to wear after the Baptism (a sign of your baptism) which the church provides, and I would expect you would be given a chance to get out of your wet clothes. If you are baptized by pouring water over your head, then simply modest clothes. Nice pants and a modest blouse should suffice. It is not wrong to wear “your finest”, keeping in mind if you will be submerged, determine whether or not you want that outfit to get wet or not (that is, put it on later). You will be wearing a white gown for the better part of the ceremony after that, so… consider that.

No particular hand gestures are called for; by now you should be able to make the Sign of the Cross. For Communion you may either receive on the tongue, or have the Host placed in your palm, For that, (depending on if you are right handed) you place your left hand on top of your right hand; the Eucharist is placed on your open palm (left hand) and you use your right hand to place the Host in your mouth. That is done before you depart for your seat. You may receive from the Cup also (assuming it is presented); take it both both hands and take a sip and give it back. And that is the sum of it that you need to know for now.

It is not at all unusual to be nervous, perhaps a bit hyper, and possibly anxious or doubting; you may ahve lots of company in that area. Nothing harmful will come of this (with perhaps the exception of your father being upset; but let him have that problem, don’t make it yours). You will get through it, and those who have been helping you to this point will be there. Welcome to the Church!

It seems complicated but you will be guided through the whole process. Not to worry, you will be well taken care of! and no, you are not a bit strange.

 

[baltobetsy]

Yes I knew that but eventually I will have to confess and thats what scares me

Well, there’s a good motivation to avoid sin (especially the embarrassing ones) from now on. When faced with temptation, just think, if I do this, I’ll have to confess it.

Welcome to the Church - it will be wonderful to have you.

Betsy

 

[Moscati]

One clarification, Moscati mentions confession. Those who are getting baptized during the Easter Vigil will not need to go to confession before the mass. This is because sins are forgiven through baptism. Only “candidates” who have previously been baptized and will receive only first communion and/or confirmation will need to go to confession prior to the vigil so that they may be in a forgiven state prior to receiving the Eucharist.

Indeed. I’m a candidate. I should have been more clear. I think my advice might still be helpful though, especially for one’s first few Confessions.

 

[GEddie]

Quote:
<<<Good Friday is the day of our Lord’s death by crucifixion. It is a day of fasting.>>>

Completely abstaining from food or is it one where you just eat very little?

The Church rule for days of fasting (there are only 2 on the calendar, the beginning and the end of Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) is that you have only one full meal; two smaller meals may be taken, but in quantity may not equal one full meal. Sorry, I don’t have a source to quote.

On days of fasting, we are also expected to abstain from meat. While those over fifty-nine years old are not required to fast, they are still expected to abstain.

These are the rules for the USA. Living anyplace else, the rules might be slightly different.

ICXC NIKA!

 

[puzzleannie]

I have and he is not sure. My RCIA class consists of…me. Small parish.

he is not sure? hope “he” is not the pastor, both of you should sit down with the priest this week and go over the procedures, but bear in mind, it is the event, the Vigil, the sacraments that are the real happening, they cannot be rehearsed, they happen.

 

[mariahloves]

Thank you guys so much all of you who replied I love coming here because everyone is so friendly and helpful, you all really did do a nice job of explaining things to me and making me feel better about my anxiety. I think the nervousness is turning into excitement now…I can’t believe it’s so close!!!

 

[Mistyjazz]

Nervous yep count me in there. I too join you with waiting for the Easter Vigil for my Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

I’m actually exhausted already knowing that firstly I have to work all day Saturday until 5pm, race home, shower and dress whilst already having family members waiting here at my home…then bolt to the church waiting for the big celebration.

To add to my further stress my family being a complicated one at that will be basically be meeting for the first time at my celebration. I was adopted as a baby and my God Mother I have chosen is my Birth Fathers sister, and my birth Mothers Mother who is almost 90 and is battling cancer whilst having chemo will be there to join me too. My God mother is Catholic on my Birth Fathers side and My biological grandmother is Anglican along with my Birth Mothers sister who will be attending aswell. Confused yet???

My Birth Mother won’t be able to attend but my Mum and step father ( my beautiful Mum who adopted me) will be there also and she is Anglican too. Bit nervous on how it will all pan out… My Mum was able to have children but my Dad could not so she didn’t ever get the opportunity to bear any children of her own… In todays world there is IVF… I love my Mum dearly and I don’t want to see her uncomfortable or hurt so yep I am nervous…

To add to it also, I have not told my 11 and 9 year old boys either that I was adopted…I just don’t want things to change, I know it is wrong and I will but the timing just has to be right? When that is will I know? So working right up to the hour on the night and my extended family meeting my golly am I nervous or what!!!

We won’t get a rehearsal in either so I have a few questions to ask on my last RCIA Tuesday meeting…I will get annointed with the oil of Catechumens at this meeting too I am told. Oh so close now…I just hope it all works out well, I will have to rest, rest, rest and get to bed early each night after work…before the big day… Wish me well