In RCIA: Question about what I can and can't do during Mass

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lucusk

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Hello all!

I’m fairly new here and am currently in the inquiry stage in RCIA. I have been attending Mass with my sponsor for five weeks now and have really been enjoying it. It’s pretty easy to spot me since I don’t genuflect, kneel in prayer, sign the cross, etc… While I know that I cannot yet receive the Eucharist, am I allowed to genuflect, kneel, etc… while I am still in inquiry? I want to give proper respect to the Eucharist, but don’t want to upset anyone by doing these actions if I am not supposed to. This may sound like a foolish question, but I humbly ask out of respect. :o
 
lucusk said:
Hello all!

I’m fairly new here and am currently in the inquiry stage in RCIA. I have been attending Mass with my sponsor for five weeks now and have really been enjoying it. It’s pretty easy to spot me since I don’t genuflect, kneel in prayer, sign the cross, etc… While I know that I cannot yet receive the Eucharist, am I allowed to genuflect, kneel, etc… while I am still in inquiry? I want to give proper respect to the Eucharist, but don’t want to upset anyone by doing these actions if I am not supposed to. This may sound like a foolish question, but I humbly ask out of respect. :o
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You can absolutely do these things and are, in fact, encouraged to do so! 👍
 
Hi

I’m a fellow convert, so I’ve been through this too. You can do all these actions. Genuflecting shows your respect for the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The only reason you can’t take communion is because you are not yet a full member of the Church, that doesn’t stop you making a spiritual communion or showing respect for the Blessed Sacrament.

I will keep you in my prayers and if I can help with anything else, please just ask.
 
You can participate in everything except for receiving Communion. If you don’t yet feel comfortable doing the things you mentioned, don’t feel pressured to though.
 
Join in everything at Mass, but Holy Communion will come when you are received into the Church!

G-d bless you!
 
anp1215 said:
You can participate in everything except for receiving Communion. If you don’t yet feel comfortable doing the things you mentioned, don’t feel pressured to though.
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This is right – and it includes things like receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday and palms on Palm Sunday – with the additional exception that he cannot participate in certain liturgical ministries like being a lector or a minister of Holy Communion. I have seen threads here where not-yet-Catholics said they went to Mass so often that people just assumed they were Catholic and asked them to participate in such a role, so it bears pointing out.

To the OP: many blessings on your journey!
 
MarkThompson said:
This is right – and it includes things like receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday and palms on Palm Sunday – with the additional exception that he cannot participate in certain liturgical ministries like being a lector or a minister of Holy Communion. I have seen threads here where not-yet-Catholics said they went to Mass so often that people just assumed they were Catholic and asked them to participate in such a role, so it bears pointing out.

To the OP: many blessings on your journey!
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Yes, correct.
 
Thanks for this - it answered some of my questions too!
 
dont forget that not even all catholics recieve communion at every mass
 
Instead of receiving communion, you can ask for a blessing. You fold your arms and place your hands on your shoulders just before you see the priest and keep them folded when you see him. He’ll put the host down and bless your forehead. Not all servers are aware of it so be prepared for some to not know what to do but it’s a way you can go up.

As for the other stuff mentioned, you are more than welcome to do it. I suggest that you pray and take your time with it. When you are new, there is a lot to remember so don’t feel bad if you forget something. Let the spirit guide you and you’ll be ok. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me. I just joined this past March.
 
SecretGarden said:
Instead of receiving communion, you can ask for a blessing. You fold your arms and place your hands on your shoulders just before you see the priest and keep them folded when you see him. He’ll put the host down and bless your forehead. Not all servers are aware of it so be prepared for some to not know what to do but it’s a way you can go up.
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Please do not go up for a blessing. The Congregation for Divine Worship does not recommend it.
  1. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).
    adoremus.org/0209CDW_Blessing.html
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Just because some parishes do it does not mean it is right.
 
Thank you for all your replies!! I felt like I “fit in” at Mass last Saturday and even had someone ask me why it took me so long - LOL. I’m sure you all will be seing more of me on the boards as I travel along the path through RCIA.

God Bless!!
 
SecretGarden said:
Instead of receiving communion, you can ask for a blessing. You fold your arms and place your hands on your shoulders just before you see the priest and keep them folded when you see him. He’ll put the host down and bless your forehead. Not all servers are aware of it so be prepared for some to not know what to do but it’s a way you can go up.

As for the other stuff mentioned, you are more than welcome to do it. I suggest that you pray and take your time with it. When you are new, there is a lot to remember so don’t feel bad if you forget something. Let the spirit guide you and you’ll be ok. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me. I just joined this past March.
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starsmurf said:
Hi

I’m a fellow convert, so I’ve been through this too. You can do all these actions. Genuflecting shows your respect for the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The only reason you can’t take communion is because you are not yet a full member of the Church, that doesn’t stop you making a spiritual communion or showing respect for the Blessed Sacrament.

I will keep you in my prayers and if I can help with anything else, please just ask.
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Thank you for the prayers and offering to help, it’s very much appreciated!
 
lucusk said:
Thank you for all your replies!! I felt like I “fit in” at Mass last Saturday and even had someone ask me why it took me so long - LOL. I’m sure you all will be seing more of me on the boards as I travel along the path through RCIA.

God Bless!!
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God bless your journey
 
First congratulations on your journey. I know I had similar questions 5 years ago when I was joining the Church. I think I surprised the deacon when I asked if I was allowed to go into the perpetual adoration chapel (I was, he was surprised that I would want to 🤷).

You didn’t mention it, but I assume since you list yourself as a “Methodist in RCIA” that you have been baptized. If you have not been baptized I suggest you refrain from crossing yourself with holy water from one of the fonts. On the other hand if you have been validly baptized go ahead. It’s a great way to remind each of us about our baptismal promises.
 
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