Non-catholic at a Catholic Mass: What do I do?

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I am in college, and I am also Catholic. Many of my friends are interested, if not contemplating to convert to the Catholic Faith. So therefore I am will to take those who are seeking truth to Mass. I always feel awkward around communion time. For example today I went with a friend of mine, and she knew she couldn’t partake of the sacrament and was fine with that, but she asked me if she would be able to go up, and get a blessing. Could of She?
 
It depends on the priest, but most will offer a blessing to all who are not able to receive communion. Have you also considered getting your friend the book, “Catholicism For Dummies”?,.,its a great starter book on the parts of Mass and our faith in general. Also a wonderful book would be the Lambs Supper written by Scott Hahn. This book explains how the Mass is very biblical and true to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Last but not least, Home Sweet Rome, also written by Scott Hahn, this book explains his journey home to the Catholic Faith.

God Bless You and your friends, and may the Holy Spirit truly touch each and every one of them.
 
Yes, they can receive a blessing. Just have them cross their hands over their chest when they approach. The priest will take it from there.

BTW, I think it’s awesome that you are taking them to Mass with you. 👍
 
love4mary said:
It depends on the priest, but most will offer a blessing to all who are not able to receive communion. Have you also considered getting your friend the book, “Catholicism For Dummies”?,.,its a great starter book on the parts of Mass and our faith in general. Also a wonderful book would be the Lambs Supper written by Scott Hahn. This book explains how the Mass is very biblical and true to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Last but not least, Home Sweet Rome, also written by Scott Hahn, this book explains his journey home to the Catholic Faith.

God Bless You and your friends, and may the Holy Spirit truly touch each and every one of them.
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If you really want to convert them, buy them a copy of Surprised By Truth. I’m not Catholic myself but someone introduced me to this book a few months ago and it’s definitely made me less apprehensive about the whole thing. There are some really good explanations in there. Catholicism For Dummies is also invaluable.

While I’m here, I have a question about some Mass-related things (though perhaps it requires a new thread - I wouldn’t know).
  1. Is a Protestant allowed to use the holy water?
  2. Is it out of place or offensive for a non-Catholic to genuflect? 3. And would it be looked down to do the sign of the cross if the other things aren’t being done?
Being a Protestant at a Catholic Mass can be scary! So… any answers would be great.
 
helly said:
If you really want to convert them, buy them a copy of Surprised By Truth. I’m not Catholic myself but someone introduced me to this book a few months ago and it’s definitely made me less apprehensive about the whole thing. There are some really good explanations in there. Catholicism For Dummies is also invaluable.

While I’m here, I have a question about some Mass-related things (though perhaps it requires a new thread - I wouldn’t know).
  1. Is a Protestant allowed to use the holy water? YES
  2. Is it out of place or offensive for a non-Catholic to genuflect? NO
  3. And would it be looked down to do the sign of the cross if the other things aren’t being done? NO
Being a Protestant at a Catholic Mass can be scary! So… any answers would be great.
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love4mary said:
Have you also considered getting your friend the book, “Catholicism For Dummies”?
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. . . . but before you give it to her, take a black marker and mark out the part where the author brags about Madonna (the pop star) being a Catholic. Or was that in the idiot’s guide to Catholicism?
 
helly said:
While I’m here, I have a question about some Mass-related things (though perhaps it requires a new thread - I wouldn’t know).
  1. Is a Protestant allowed to use the holy water?
  2. Is it out of place or offensive for a non-Catholic to genuflect? 3. And would it be looked down to do the sign of the cross if the other things aren’t being done?
Being a Protestant at a Catholic Mass can be scary! So… any answers would be great.
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Holy water is blessed. Use it (for blessing yourself (crossing yourself), or when you want to protect something from harm or evil.)
Genuflecting implies that you believe that Our Lord is present, body and blood, soul and divinity, in the tabernacle. If you believe it, do it.
I know many protestants who cross themselves. It means that you are asking for assistance and proclaiming the Trinity and calling on God to be before you at that moment.

Hope that helps,
Angel
 
Michael_Welter said:
Yes, they can receive a blessing. Just have them cross their hands over their chest when they approach. The priest will take it from there.

BTW, I think it’s awesome that you are taking them to Mass with you. 👍
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That is correct. At our church, the priest once awhile remind non-Catholics to do that.
 
My grandparents recieve the priest’s blessing whenever they go to church with my family.
 
I would just caution you that unless you KNOW the priest will give blessings, you might not want to suggest going up; not all priests give blessings, and some are very opposed to the practice. Also, a blessing is only supposed to be done by a priest, so an EMHC cannot do it.
 
I often explain to non-Catholic guests that the Church’s approach to whom may partake of Communion is much like their approach to who may partake of conjugal relations. Only those who have made a public declaration of fidelity with the other party may engage in these special relationships. So, in the case of marital relations, only those who have professed marriage vows have a right to engage in these activities. For fiancees or BF/GF’s to do so is dis-ordered since no solemn communion actually exists at that point. Likewise, if one has not made a public profession of belief in the Catholic Church, they should abstain from participating in her sacraments. The “actual communion” needs to exist before engaging in the “communal actions”.
 
In many of our parishes if you haven’t consulted with the parish priest beforehand if you are visiting and got his blessing to receive Communion you may indeed be denied when you approach for Communion. Sounds harsh but protecting the Eucharist is important. Some parishes the priest may give you a blessing with the chalice instead. But the chances are almost certain you will not receive unless the priest knows about you or knows you. If the priest does not know you he expects you to either have gone to confession with your parish priest and in some cases he may ask you to go to confession with him.
But as far as visiting, enjoy, pray, and have a wonderful visit. No one will kick you for not kneeling! And just sit and stand when everyone else does!
 
mgy100 said:
In many of our parishes if you haven’t consulted with the parish priest beforehand if you are visiting and got his blessing to receive Communion you may indeed be denied when you approach for Communion. Sounds harsh but protecting the Eucharist is important. Some parishes the priest may give you a blessing with the chalice instead. But the chances are almost certain you will not receive unless the priest knows about you or knows you. If the priest does not know you he expects you to either have gone to confession with your parish priest and in some cases he may ask you to go to confession with him.
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Perhaps this is the case in the Eastern churches or the SSPX chapels, but in regular Latin Catholic parishes, this does not happen. There is so much traveling, visiting, and parish-hopping for the sake of scheduling, that a stranger is hardly noticed. In fact, that is a common complaint when a Protestant visits, because in Protestant churches it is normal for a visitor to be noticed and welcomed. Besides which, there are so many Extraordinary Ministers distributing Holy Communion (who customarily do not refuse the Eucharist to anyone) that it would be logistically impossible.

So all you potential non-Catholic visitors, be assured that you will not stick out like a sore thumb or be scrutinized or even noticed if you don’t know what to do next. Just look around you and follow the crowd as far as you are comfortable. The only thing you may not do is receive Communion. And please introduce yourself to the priest on the way out. He’ll be happy to know you visited. Welcome!

Betsy
 
baltobetsy said:
Perhaps this is the case in the Eastern churches or the SSPX chapels, but in regular Latin Catholic parishes, this does not happen. There is so much traveling, visiting, and parish-hopping for the sake of scheduling, that a stranger is hardly noticed. In fact, that is a common complaint when a Protestant visits, because in Protestant churches it is normal for a visitor to be noticed and welcomed. Besides which, there are so many Extraordinary Ministers distributing Holy Communion (who customarily do not refuse the Eucharist to anyone) that it would be logistically impossible.

Betsy
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Exactly my point, but you should not confuse Eastern Orthodox with the SSPX.
 
Well in Byzantine Catholic Churches in my opinion it is much easier to obtain communion if your are Catholic, but still a call is usually appropriate to the priest to let him know you are coming. Easterners travel and visit other parishes as well, and a quick call to the priest wouldn’t be hard in a Roman Catholic parish, although I do agree with the multitude of non-clergy distributing communion would prohibit from screening everyone. Perhaps these are serious issues that need to be addressed in the Latin Catholic Church. Perhaps none of my business, but it’s always good to look out for each other.
 
sw9000 said:
I am in college, and I am also Catholic. Many of my friends are interested, if not contemplating to convert to the Catholic Faith. So therefore I am will to take those who are seeking truth to Mass. I always feel awkward around communion time. For example today I went with a friend of mine, and she knew she couldn’t partake of the sacrament and was fine with that, but she asked me if she would be able to go up, and get a blessing. Could of She?
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Definately Yes… and perhaps this interest in going to mass might spark her interest in joining the Church one day…
 
sw9000 said:
I am in college, and I am also Catholic. Many of my friends are interested, if not contemplating to convert to the Catholic Faith. So therefore I am will to take those who are seeking truth to Mass. I always feel awkward around communion time. For example today I went with a friend of mine, and she knew she couldn’t partake of the sacrament and was fine with that, but she asked me if she would be able to go up, and get a blessing. Could of She?
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She might have been able to get a blessing. I only did that twice though, since the first time I tried it was very distressing.

If your friend believes in the Real Presence, or is starting to believe in the Real Presence, give her a copy of the Act of Spiritual Communion to pray when everyone else recieves communion. That’s what I did.
 
The blessing depends on the priest. Most priests will give a blessing when they are approached by a person who crosses their arms over their chest, but it’s a good idea to make sure first to avoid embarassments that will maybe stop your friends from coming back. I know as a convert how awkward it can be at first to go to a Catholic mass unprepared, so they might appreciate just a general quick overview beforehand of what’s going to happen, and answer any questions they have. The rest should come easily from there 🙂

Good luck and God bless 👍
 
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