Is there a place I could buy a Catholic Missal?

[ConflictedBoy]

It’s me (…again…) =)

First let me say I cant thank you all enough for your strong support for my interest in the Catholic Church. If i have not responded to your PMs i will and am sorry if i gave you the idea im ignoring you, im not…

I really want to start getting into the mass, getting my heart opened to it, and learn how to attend the way a practicing Catholic can (save for partaking in Communion of course). With that, can those not-yet-Catholic participate in the liturgies, and if so, is there some place where i would be able to buy a Missal to read and prepare? Like i said before, when i went to mass with my grandparents, years ago, I remember everyone saying a lot of things, in “unison”, it was confusing to me but beautiful and fascinating and again, i remember thinking "…wow…this is different =) ".

Unfortunately I have not been able to go yet, I have not been feeling well, im super busy with school, and I still don’t know how my parents might react when I tell them “oh, btw, I’m going to church next Sunday, umm…I’m going to a Catholic mass…”…I just dont know.,…I know my dad will scoff and be like " ehhh…those Catholics…" (even though he was raised Catholic himself), my mom might be happy that SOMEONE in the house is going to church since no one has in months. (we talk about theology a lot and it seems some of her views are more Catholic-minded, if that makes sense, views on Mary, etc. even has some Catholic imagery, yet she has never shown interest in conversion)

Anyway back on the subject, If i could possibly get a Missal from some website, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would prefer to start getting used to the modern “vernacularised” mass first, and maybe attending a Latin mass sometime this summer =). Anyways, thanks =)

*sorry i talk so much

 

[I_Believe]

If you just want a Sunday Missal, Catholic Book Publishing offers one annually for less than 5 bucks. If you will be going to weekday Mass, you can buy Vol 1 of the New St Joseph Weekday Missal (Advent-Pentecost) Vol 2 is for Pentecost to Advent. About 20 bucks each.

I’d suggest buying the St Joseph Sunday Missal 2009 and getting the weekday readings from the USCCB website. You won’t even have to print them if you have a copy of the New American Bible. The USCCB site will direct you to the proper readings for each day.

 

[ConflictedBoy]

If you just want a Sunday Missal, Catholic Book Publishing offers one annually for less than 5 bucks. If you will be going to weekday Mass, you can buy Vol 1 of the New St Joseph Weekday Missal (Advent-Pentecost) Vol 2 is for Pentecost to Advent. About 20 bucks each.

I’d suggest buying the St Joseph Sunday Missal 2009 and getting the weekday readings from the USCCB website. You won’t even have to print them if you have a copy of the New American Bible. The USCCB site will direct you to the proper readings for each day.

and btw, can us Not-yet -catholics, dip our hand in the holy water and make the sign of the cross when we walk in? I really would like to

ohhh and wat about kneeling? (at my gp’s mass i kneeled)
what should i do when everyone else is getting communion? kneel and pray? and thanks again

 

[I_Believe]

and btw, can us Not-yet -catholics, dip our hand in the holy water and make the sign of the cross when we walk in? I really would like to

ohhh and wat about kneeling? (at my gp’s mass i kneeled)
what should i do when everyone else is getting communion? kneel and pray? and thanks again

Holy Water is fine. Kneeling, genuflecting is fine.

You can make a Spiritual Communion. Just google Spiritual Communion. While others receive, kneel and express a sincere desire to Christ to one day receive the Blessed Sacrament.

The more you look the more treasures you will find. It’s a beautiful Faith .

 

[WetCatechumen]

ConflictedBoy, welcome!

I’m kind of in a similar boat. I started attending Mass this past July, and I’ve been going through catechesis since. As my screenname indicates, I’m already a Christian - I was baptized in another church - but I’m prepare for reception into the church. I’m hoping to do it next Easter Vigil (well, Easter Season more likely. My parish doesn’t like to do RCIA on Easter Vigil for some odd reason).

Online is a good place to get a Missal. You can also look around on Google for a Catholics goods store near you.

usccb.org/nab/

That contains all the readings for the Mass. If you want the order of Mass, here’s a good link:

catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

Just plug and chug the relevant readings and psalms. There are specific prayers for each day, but I don’t know where to find those online.

My own parents strongly object to my impending conversion. There are many things about Catholicism they despise. However, conscience compels me. I pray that you follow your own conscience in this matter. This means, should your conscience lead you elsewhere, well, you’re wrong (I have to say this), but at least you’re following your conscience. That is preferable.

As for participation in Mass, the only thing you can’t do, as you already know, is present yourself for Holy Communion. Well, yeah, this sucks. Incredibly much. Having to kneel mere yards from the Host without receiving Him. But, you learn to put up with it.

As for Holy Water, go ahead! Bless yourself when entering the church building. As for genuflection, whenever I walk in front of the altar or the tabernacle (some churches have them separated), I genuflect. You’re welcome to express your adoration by genuflecting, or bowing, or whichever you prefer. I obviously prefer genuflection. I mean, seriously, if God was in front of me, I wouldn’t just bow.

As for the Mass, typically, follow what other people do. Obviously, there are abuses or innovations in some parishes, and some people on this forum will go after you teeth bared for presenting yourself for a blessing in the communion line (a very common practice in the United States. I used to partake until I encountered the strong orthodoxy in this forum), or holding hands during the Our Father (more than one person has been banned whilst discussing this. I think the topic is actually banned right now), but don’t worry, and just relax and go with the flow.

Also, most churches have hymnals which contain the Order of Mass in it, usually near the front. I’d recommend that as a guide during the Mass itself.

Have a lot of fun! I sure do.

But once you comprehend the Real Presence, not receiving is, quite frankly, heart-breaking.

 

[prodigalson12]

Even if you don’t have it all memorized for total participation, even an iota when it comes down to it, do not let any of that prevent you from attending mass. You’ll at least be able to step in with the Lords prayer while it’s recited regardless and it shouldn’t take long at all even without having the missal to memorize the relavence. There are some liberty’s that can be taken within mass regardless. When it’s said “let us pray”, I place my hands together to pray and do, most don’t at my local parish for example. The church is not as strict and regimented as people think, and most of all, should not be thought of as a place where if you aren’t picture perfect with everything, you are considered an outcast, ie. it’s not stuffy at all compared to what you are used to, lol.