Non-Catholic attending Mass...

[xlost6]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

What do I do or attend or wear and such?

I’m excited because I have been through so much on my journey to the Truth and I think it’s about time to land and observe.

My friend goes to the Easter Mass every year so I decided to attend with him.

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I?

I’m sorry for the weird questions. I just want to feel comfortable around here that’s all!

Thanks!

Bruce

 

[wmscott]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

What do I do or attend or wear and such?

I’m excited because I have been through so much on my journey to the Truth and I think it’s about time to land and observe.

My friend goes to the Easter Mass every year so I decided to attend with him.

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I?

I’m sorry for the weird questions. I just want to feel comfortable around here that’s all!

Thanks!

Bruce

You are most welcome to attend Easter Mass. I prefer the Easter vigil that is Saturday evening, it is a longer Mass than usual but very beautiful and interesting. Just sit an observe all you want and enjoy the Mass, your friend will help you along with the little things.

 

[Zundrah]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

What do I do or attend or wear and such?

I’m excited because I have been through so much on my journey to the Truth and I think it’s about time to land and observe.

My friend goes to the Easter Mass every year so I decided to attend with him.

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I?

I’m sorry for the weird questions. I just want to feel comfortable around here that’s all!

Thanks!

Bruce

Don’t get too serious about your clothing. But don’t go too casual either.

 

[Tyuiop411]

Don’t worry about what you’ll wear too much. I usually go in a nice pair of jeans and a nice button up shirt and no one looks at me funny. Just don’t wear flip flops.

 

[Barbkw]

If you’re interested in the “whole shebang” I’d suggest taking in all of the Paschal Tridium or Triduum.

You’re welcome to attend & participate in each (except for receiving of the Eucharist):

Holy Thursday - Evening Mass - Lord’s Supper and foot washing
Good Friday - Mass at Noon for the Passion & Crucifixion
Easter Vigil Mass - Saturday evening Mass

Wear nice comfortable cloths & enjoy.

This website has an explanation of the order of the Mass and the communal prayers that you’ll hear throughout the celebration.

catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

A pdf foldable sheet on the prayers:

catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/CatholicMass-BasicTexts.pdf

 

[maryjk]

If you’re interested in the “whole shebang” I’d suggest taking in all of the Paschal Tridium or Triduum.

My son calls this "pulling the Trifecta.

I generally wear a nice pair of pants. Mass for Easter Vigil is longer than normal, and if I wear a dress, I end up all wrinkly.

 

[pablope]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

What do I do or attend or wear and such?

I’m excited because I have been through so much on my journey to the Truth and I think it’s about time to land and observe.

My friend goes to the Easter Mass every year so I decided to attend with him.

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I?

I’m sorry for the weird questions. I just want to feel comfortable around here that’s all!

Thanks!

Bruce

Bruce,

Here is a link for free downloads. The mass is explained in more detail:

catholicity.com/cds/

 

[Catholic1954]

You are welcome to attend any Mass, any time; just please refrain from receiving Communion.

 

[JRKH]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

Absolutely. I would suggest you not wait for Easter but begin attending mass as soon as possible. This way you can get familiar the general flow, responses, when to stand, kneel etc.

What do I do or attend or wear and such?

As to what to do, just follow along as others are doing. Of course when it comes time for communion, remain in your pew since you cannot receive.
As to dress, while others have said not to be overly concerned, my outlook is a bit different. The way I look at it you should dress as you would to be presented befor a King, since this is what you are doing…

I’m excited because I have been through so much on my journey to the Truth and I think it’s about time to land and observe.

Wonderful - Welcome Home

My friend goes to the Easter Mass every year so I decided to attend with him.

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I?

No you don’t have to sign up or anything. If you are more comfortable just sitting and observing, that is fine too. But as i said above, I’d suggest going ahead and attending mass now just to “get your feet wet”
I do have one concern - Does your friend attend mass regularly or just on Easter? Is your friend a source of how you are learning about the Church?

I’m sorry for the weird questions. I just want to feel comfortable around here that’s all!

Thanks!

Bruce

Not wierd questions at all. Glad to help

Peace
James

 

[CR716]

It is funny you should mention having to “sign up” or something. I know of a couple protestant churches that always want guests to sign something with addressess and phone #'s. In my experience, my nieces husband went to school to become a Southern Baptist preacher and had invited us ( Catholics)to his first sermon for moral support. I felt he had support from enough other non Catholic family members so I didn’t go, but my husband did, my husband is just that kind of guy. Mind you everyone in that church knows we are Catholic, lo and behold the following Tuesday evening, right in the middle of evening fun, homework,supper, chores we get a knock at the door. It was that churches ‘Faith team" ! “Well we seen your husband at church…” I couldn’t believe it.I guess they thought he was switching sides and figured they’d better grab him up! I did let my niece know I didnt appreciate that. I never heard of that, I actually felt ganged up on,whn I told them we were kind of in the middle of evening fun, one pipes up real quick and says, " How about next Tuesday night? I told her no thank you, ever since then, if she sees me in public she won’t acknowlede me! But if we are at a get together she will speak to me if her "church bunch’ is in hearing distance. The Catholic Church will welcome you and I do hope you have a blessed Easter service!

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

What do I do or attend or wear and such?
ce

welcome, and EAster is the best time, the most joyful celebration of the entire Church year. All Catholic Masses are open to all because liturgy is by definition the public prayer of the Church. My advice is to watch and listen, don’t try to follow along in a missalette or other worship aid the first time. You will absorb more simply by being in the experience. Wear what you normally would to church, or if in doubt, normal business attire.

 

[GaryTaylor]

welcome, and EAster is the best time, the most joyful celebration of the entire Church year. All Catholic Masses are open to all because liturgy is by definition the public prayer of the Church. My advice is to watch and listen, don’t try to follow along in a missalette or other worship aid the first time. You will absorb more simply by being in the experience. Wear what you normally would to church, or if in doubt, normal business attire.

I agree,

The missalette I notice vary now from church to church. I belong toe St Michaels and they use a book where you are basocally looking up the weekend your attending Mass.

Amyway I go Holy Rossry for confession simply because I really like the Father and feel we have a good relationship. Not that it couldn’t me at St Michaels. just the way life worked out.

Anyway I attended Mass there also one weenend and they don’t use the books. But individual pamphlets which were actually pretty decent, in that if your not familiar? Then there no fumbling around but simply following from front to back. Anyway I thought I’d mention it, I’m so use to the books that I thought it was novel and made following very easy.

But I do agree with what annie said, and would just observe and listen, I think its wonderful.

God Bless.

 

[Nicea325]

Hi,

I’m highly interested into attending the Easter Mass next month and I wanted to know is their any possibility of me as being a non-Catholic sitting through the Mass?

What do I do or attend or wear and such?

I’m excited because I have been through so much on my journey to the Truth and I think it’s about time to land and observe.

My friend goes to the Easter Mass every year so I decided to attend with him.

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I?

I’m sorry for the weird questions. I just want to feel comfortable around here that’s all!

Thanks!

Of course you may attend and you do not have to sign up for anything. Sit with your friend,but do not receive communion. However, you may go up during communion,simply cross your arms above your chest and the priest will bless you.

Welcome!

Bruce

 

[PLeeD]

…However, you may go up during communion,simply cross your arms above your chest and the priest will bless you.

What does this signify? Does crossing your arms like that have a specific meaning?

 

[Barbkw]

So, can I just sit there and observe and not have to sign up for anything or do I? Bruce

Bruce,

“Signing up” for a non-Catholic (into the Catholic Church) is called RCIA - the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Weekly classes begin at the beginning of Autumn and people are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass.

At the Easter Vigil Mass, catechumens and candidates received the Sacraments that they require: adult and/or child Baptism for some and Adult Confirmation and first Eucharist for all.

 

[Barbkw]

What does this signify? Does crossing your arms like that have a specific meaning?

At our Church, we all stand prior to the Eucharist and we remain standing until all have received and the Priest returns to his chair.

People who can not receive the Eucharist (non-Catholics, Catholics who need Reconciliation, young children, etc.) can join the procession and receive a blessing from a Priest.

Crossed arms don’t have a specific meaning except to indicate the wish / need for a blessing.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

What does this signify? Does crossing your arms like that have a specific meaning?

It just shows the Eucharistic Minister or the priest that you are not desirous of taking the Body/Blood for whatever reason. Some people might just walk up normally and if they weren’t prepared to receive (say, committed a mortal sin and hadn’t confessed), the Minister might give them communion accidentally.

My sons will get a blessing from the Body Minister and then step to the Blood Minister to receive. (They cannot eat anything made from or containing wheat, barley, or rye.) It kind of confuses some of the ministers b/c they don’t expect great big huge teenage males to just get a blessing, but the boys have no qualms about doing it that way. So there are various reasons to do it, the crossed arms just make it easier and more plain not to give that person the Eucharist.