Invited a non-Christian to Easter Mass

[Michael_N_1]

Hello,

I am a college student and I was discussing religion and Easter with my roommate, who is a Hindu. (We talk about religion a lot, actually.) On somewhat of a whim I told him that if he wanted to learn more about Easter, he would be welcome to come to Mass this Sunday. To my great surprise he accepted the invitation. He has only ever been to one church service before, a Christmas pageant at a Protestant church (Baptist, maybe, he doesn’t remember and it was as a kid).

Is there anything I should keep in mind or remember to do or say considering that I will be taking a non-Christian to Mass, and on Easter Sunday of all possible days?

Also, I’m not (fully) Catholic myself, but (officially) Episcopalian – I have been drawn to the Catholic Church and attending Mass regularly for two years with a view to eventually (hopefully soon) being received into full communion. Hopefully it wasn’t bad form for me, then, to invite someone – was it?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[fms]

USCCB - (Liturgy) - Non-Catholics and Holy Communion

Answer is at the very bottom.

 

[Bezant]

Hello,

I am a college student and I was discussing religion and Easter with my roommate, who is a Hindu. (We talk about religion a lot, actually.) On somewhat of a whim I told him that if he wanted to learn more about Easter, he would be welcome to come to Mass this Sunday. To my great surprise he accepted the invitation. He has only ever been to one church service before, a Christmas pageant at a Protestant church (Baptist, maybe, he doesn’t remember and it was as a kid).

Is there anything I should keep in mind or remember to do or say considering that I will be taking a non-Christian to Mass, and on Easter Sunday of all possible days?

Also, I’m not (fully) Catholic myself, but (officially) Episcopalian – I have been drawn to the Catholic Church and attending Mass regularly for two years with a view to eventually (hopefully soon) being received into full communion. Hopefully it wasn’t bad form for me, then, to invite someone – was it?

Thanks for any advice!

No, there’s no problem in and of itself with a non-Christian at Mass (even if he was alone), especially if you’re already familiar with the liturgy (and therefore able to answer his questions, tell him about church etiquette).

 

[TheDoctor]

Bad form my friend? To invite someone to pray and worship God? Not so indeed! Bravo to you for putting your faith into action.

Arrive early and sit towards the back. This will allow you to quietly point out the parts of the Church (Tabernacle, Altar, Sanctuary, Statues, Candles, Stations of the Cross, etc.) Tell him, no, unfortunately, we are not always this crowded.

Ask him to stand, sit and kneel when everyone else does just to be polite and as a sign of respect for the faith you are observing.

Explain where the readings will come from (old testament, new testament, Gospel) and that Father will give a homily.

We take a collection for the Church. It is not obligatory to give but nice if you do (the money is often used for the needy as well as the parish).

Depending on the Mass, you may have some people coming into the Church so you may see a baptism/confirmation. Hopefully soon one day you too will be coming home at Easter!

Explain that Catholics know the bread and wine is tranformed into Jesus’ body blood soul and divinity so we treat it with great respect. Unfortunately, neither of you are able to take communion so you will just sit and allow others to go by during that part of the Mass.

You can walk around the Church after Mass if he has additional questions or would like to see things closer. Have a happy and Blessed Easter.

 

[Michael_N_1]

Thanks for the responses. Good idea, to point out the different parts of the church!

I did wonder about kneeling, which you mentioned. I think if I were, hypothetically, attending some other religion’s ceremonies, I would not feel comfortable kneeling before their gods. I’d be wary of asking anyone to do something analogous. You know what I mean? Would it be reasonable to suggest that since he may not want to do that, he could just sit at those times? Or would that just end up looking disrespectful?

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Thanks for the responses. Good idea, to point out the different parts of the church!

I did wonder about kneeling, which you mentioned. I think if I were, hypothetically, attending some other religion’s ceremonies, I would not feel comfortable kneeling before their gods. I’d be wary of asking anyone to do something analogous. You know what I mean? Would it be reasonable to suggest that since he may not want to do that, he could just sit at those times? Or would that just end up looking disrespectful?

I think that is perfectly acceptable. I see lots of guests sitting during our kneeling times, at both Easter and Christmas. The standing parts should be observed however.

 

[Richard320]

Not a problem at all to bring visitors.

Some tips: Get there early, take a tour around the church, point out the features.
Advise him not to take Communion. You probably already knew that for yourself.
If there’s a missalette, show him how the Mass has a regular order. Let him follow along. It’s very helpful when you are nervous to have something to fiddle with and look at.

One year I invited my best friend, a lapsed Dutch Reformed, and his wife, daughter of an Independant Baptist preacher, to Midnight Mass. I was hoping she’d tell daddy and make him vapor lock. My friend was ho-hum. She was amazed. She really liked all the flowers and statues, and was especially shocked at the racial diversity. Where she comes from, there’s white churches and black churches, period. I laughed at her and said, “Catholic means Universal.”

 

[TheDoctor]

I think that is perfectly acceptable. I see lots of guests sitting during our kneeling times, at both Easter and Christmas. The standing parts should be observed however.

Agreed. The more you tell him why we assume these positions the more he will understand. He can always sit while other kneel.

I hope you both have a holy and grace filled experience.

 

[Brightest_Star]

As a guest of another religion it is acceptable for him to sit instead of kneel, not say the prayers, not genuflect, etc. If I was guest in a Hindu temple I can’t say I’d pray to their God, so I suppose it’s what’s fair.

And again take no Eucharist but do tell him he can come (with you?) up for a blessing!

Of course if you really wanted to give him a show you should go on Easter Vigil. I hear there’s fire.

 

[Michael_N_1]

As a guest of another religion it is acceptable for him to sit instead of kneel, not say the prayers, not genuflect, etc. If I was guest in a Hindu temple I can’t say I’d pray to their God, so I suppose it’s what’s fair.

And again take no Eucharist but do tell him he can come (with you?) up for a blessing!

Of course if you really wanted to give him a show you should go on Easter Vigil. I hear there’s fire.

Right, that’s what I was thinking (about a Hindu temple).

I have seen non-Catholics go up for a blessing but I do not do it myself. I understand that in some places it is not the practice.

And about Easter Vigil – exactly, that’s actually what the original plan was, but I think he had other plans for Saturday night

 

[DebChris]

Thanks for the responses. Good idea, to point out the different parts of the church!

I did wonder about kneeling, which you mentioned. I think if I were, hypothetically, attending some other religion’s ceremonies, I would not feel comfortable kneeling before their gods. I’d be wary of asking anyone to do something analogous. You know what I mean? Would it be reasonable to suggest that since he may not want to do that, he could just sit at those times? Or would that just end up looking disrespectful?

One assignment for a Helping Skills class I took required each student to step out of his/her comfort zone. While several people chose to attend Mass, I went to a Hare Krishna meeting. It is important that you recognize what may be contrary to your guest’s faith. While visiting the Hare Krishna, for example, I did not join the chanting. It is reasonable to suggest that your friend remain sitting at those times when you kneel. Likewise, I would not expect him to join in the hymns, but merely to listen. Be open to any questions he may have while visiting–a good reason to sit near the back of the church in order not to disturb anybody else.