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Lily0fthevalley
Guest
Before entering the Catholic faith, showing up to Mass once in awhile is that considered a sin? or does it become a sin once you actually started RCIA classes and have officially become a Catholic?.
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Batfink
Guest
One’s obligation to attend Mass only starts when one is received into the Church (or at the age of reason, if baptised as a child). Someone who is not yet Catholic, including people in RCIA, do not have to attend Mass.
People in RCIA would be well advised to attend Mass, and will usually be required by their parish to do so, but there is no formal obligation on them to do so.
If you meant the question the other way around, as in ‘may a non-Catholic attend Mass?’ then the answer would be that everyone is welcome at Mass, provided they are prepared to behave respectfully.
People in RCIA would be well advised to attend Mass, and will usually be required by their parish to do so, but there is no formal obligation on them to do so.
If you meant the question the other way around, as in ‘may a non-Catholic attend Mass?’ then the answer would be that everyone is welcome at Mass, provided they are prepared to behave respectfully.
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Jayhantz
Guest
Before becoming Catholic, showing up to mass once in awhile is not considered a sin. For many is it part of the discernment process to see if you want to become Catholic. So there is no worry there. In fact, many people who convert were profoundly touched by the mass. Now when you decide to enter RCIA to become Catholic, you have taken it upon yourself to enter in communion with the Catholic Church and learn the doctrines, teachings and principles. This is where I think one would want to go to mass as much as possible to have the beauty of the faith unfold in the majestic prayer of the mass.
After one becomes Catholic through the RCIA program, you are now brought (through baptism, if applicable, and confirmation) This confirms your belief in the faith and your openness to accept it. This is where missing mass becomes a sin. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it states one must attend mass all Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” “The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.”
I hope this helps, and may God Bless on the journey that you are on.
After one becomes Catholic through the RCIA program, you are now brought (through baptism, if applicable, and confirmation) This confirms your belief in the faith and your openness to accept it. This is where missing mass becomes a sin. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it states one must attend mass all Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” “The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.”
I hope this helps, and may God Bless on the journey that you are on.
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Mrs_Sally
Guest
Batfink has it correct. If you are not actually a Catholic, you do not have an obligation under pain of sin to attend Mass each week.
However, someone in RCIA should make the effort to attend each week, especially this close to Easter - we have entered “passiontide”. I know a few folks who are not Catholic who still attend Mass each week with Catholic family members. A great example to the rest of us!
However, someone in RCIA should make the effort to attend each week, especially this close to Easter - we have entered “passiontide”. I know a few folks who are not Catholic who still attend Mass each week with Catholic family members. A great example to the rest of us!
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Lily0fthevalley
Guest
Thanks for your imput 
. Yes before becoming Catholic I used to show up once in awhile.
. Yes before becoming Catholic I used to show up once in awhile.
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newyorkcatholic
Guest
Traditionally (really a long time ago, Patristic times), non-Catholics would not be allowed to attend the whole Mass.Thanks for your imput
The Mass of the Catechumens was for those seeking initiation, but they were dismissed before the Mass of the Faithful.
The Byzantine Rite still has this dismissal, though it’s not actually enforced. They say “Catechumens, depart.”
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MissRose73
Guest
I would say if you are in RCIA, then you should be going to Mass especially in the time leading up to Easter Vigil to participate in all of the things like the dismissal & discussion of the Word of God. After Baptism, etc then you are held to the same requirements of all Catholics to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days unless you have a dire / emergency reason to miss Mass.
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Crumpy
Guest
Those not baptized and/or admitted into the Church are requested to not receive Holy Communion.
This is a policy that goes back to the beginning of the Church.
I guess the really important thing is to know and accept that Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus as the Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine.
I’m sure that many non-Catholics have received communion not knowing the theology or the rules, just to “join in” in the liturgy.
Catholics receiving Communion for the first time also go to confession beforehand, before making their First Communion.
In First Corinthians St. Paul says that anyone who receives communion unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. “worthily” has the operational meaning that I described above.
This is a policy that goes back to the beginning of the Church.
I guess the really important thing is to know and accept that Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus as the Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine.
I’m sure that many non-Catholics have received communion not knowing the theology or the rules, just to “join in” in the liturgy.
Catholics receiving Communion for the first time also go to confession beforehand, before making their First Communion.
In First Corinthians St. Paul says that anyone who receives communion unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. “worthily” has the operational meaning that I described above.
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