Inviting People to Mass

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Aeterna

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Hi everyone! I like to attend a Latin Mass and I have a few non-Catholic/non-practicing friends whom I would like to invite. But I’m afraid that taking them to this Mass would be so new and probably confusing for them, that it might put them off. I’m wondering if it would be smart to try to expose them to Catholicism in general first, before the liturgy. Am I obliged to invite them anyway/would it be a sin not to? They are very lukewarm Catholics (not practicing, not catechized)/Protestants. What should I do, beyond praying for them to be open to the Faith?
 
I’m a convert and most of the people I know are protestant, or nonpracticing. I don’t do the overly zealous, “ahhh! Totally come to Mass with me!!” Thing.
I’ve been invited to brunch and they wanted to meet up while I would be in Mass. I told them that I would be in Mass and they are more than welcome to come. I’ve had family come visit and they were told that we will be going to Mass and X time and they are welcome to come.
Just offer the invite when it comes up. Don’t force it. I wouldn’t want people forcing their beliefs on me and I try to treat people like I want to be treated.
 
I am assuming you mean the Language is Latin?:confused: I would explain to your friends why it is in Latin, and remind them not to receive Holy Communion.
 
Aeterna said:
Hi everyone! I like to attend a Latin Mass and I have a few non-Catholic/non-practicing friends whom I would like to invite. But I’m afraid that taking them to this Mass would be so new and probably confusing for them, that it might put them off. I’m wondering if it would be smart to try to expose them to Catholicism in general first, before the liturgy. Am I obliged to invite them anyway/would it be a sin not to? They are very lukewarm Catholics (not practicing, not catechized)/Protestants. What should I do, beyond praying for them to be open to the Faith?
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I saw a convert to Catholicism on EWTN a couple days ago who stated that he would have been put off if his first experience was a latin mass. He loves them now but at that point it would have been meaningless to him. From my perspective as a Lutheran I would prefer to go to one in English first in order to feel somewhat comfortable following and understanding the liturgy.

God Bless!
 
Aeterna said:
Hi everyone! I like to attend a Latin Mass and I have a few non-Catholic/non-practicing friends whom I would like to invite. But I’m afraid that taking them to this Mass would be so new and probably confusing for them, that it might put them off. I’m wondering if it would be smart to try to expose them to Catholicism in general first, before the liturgy. Am I obliged to invite them anyway/would it be a sin not to? They are very lukewarm Catholics (not practicing, not catechized)/Protestants. What should I do, beyond praying for them to be open to the Faith?
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I would be the best Catholic I could. Let them learn by your words and actions.
The Latin Mass is beloved by many, but honestly…it wouldn’t do what you think it would for people who are basically non practicing anything.
Be well prepared for their questions if it comes up. And if they want to go to Mass…take them to an English Mass first. Let them experience the prayers in their native language first. When they decide they want more, you can take them to the Latin Mass and teach them about it. But for someone not used to it, it would be confusing and also upsetting if they couldn’t see it as something special. You’d be upset.
I would just let the Holy Spirit work through you, and see what happens.
 
Invite them to an experience in which you feel comfortable and for which you can answer any questions that might arise. If you’re both having a new experience, well, you might enjoy discovering it each in your own way, but speaking for myself, I like to explore on my own, and invite people to things I already know.
 
Aeterna said:
But I’m afraid that taking them to this Mass would be so new…
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LOL, the Traditional Mass, 1,500 years old. So old, it’s new. 😉

Just take them, I’ve tried the slow and steady approach and that has work, I’ve tried the dropping them into the middle of things and that has work! Bottom line is you just don’t know how people are gonna react.
 
I think it’s great if they would like to go along with you.

Explain to them about communion and why they cannot receive. In some Protestant Churches it is ok for people of other faiths to take part and that can be confusing to visitors to a Catholic Mass.
 
Funnily enough I invited my family to my first confession and am inviting my Protestant Church Elder Mother to mass at the weekend, I’m sure she’ll enjoy the service. 🙂
 
LoveMorrissey said:
Funnily enough I invited my family to my first confession and am inviting my Protestant Church Elder Mother to mass at the weekend, I’m sure she’ll enjoy the service. 🙂
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First confession? You do know that others don’t go into the confessional with you, right? They will just be hanging out in the church?
 
The non-Catholics who’ve joined me at EF Mass have really enjoyed it. Well, they at least enjoyed the music. Whether it reached them on a spiritual level, I don’t know. The normally OF Catholics who’ve joined me have found it baffling or dull. Either way, no need to fully catechize your friends. Just hand them a missal and tell them to sit and stand when you do (and sit while you’re kneeling).
 
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