non-Catholics welcome at mass?

[andersonbd1]

Hi,
We have house guests every so often who are non-Catholic. We have been inviting them to come to mass with us. They do come even though they are protestant. They stand and sit when supposed to, but they do not kneel. This makes sense to me and I don’t see it as a slight. If they don’t believe in the Real Presence, wouldn’t it be a lie to kneel? However, I’ve heard other opinions that say it’s despicable to observe (or be in the pew behind them). Is there an official position on this? Would we be better off not to invite them? To ask them to come and kneel? Or to continue letting them come and not kneel? Your opinions are welcome, but citations are even better.
Thanks,
Ben

 

[Seatuck]

Hi,
We have house guests every so often who are non-Catholic. We have been inviting them to come to mass with us. They do come even though they are protestant. They stand and sit when supposed to, but they do not kneel. This makes sense to me and I don’t see it as a slight. If they don’t believe in the Real Presence, wouldn’t it be a lie to kneel? However, I’ve heard other opinions that say it’s despicable to observe (or be in the pew behind them). Is there an official position on this? Would we be better off not to invite them? To ask them to come and kneel? Or to continue letting them come and not kneel? Your opinions are welcome, but citations are even better.
Thanks,
Ben

Yes, non Catholics are welcome at Mass. It’s ok if they don’t kneel. Some Catholics don’t kneel because of physical impediments so that is bound to happen now and again to have a non kneeling person in front of someone at Mass. Your guests should be respectful of the person kneeling behind them and scoot forward, though. I hate it when I have to kneel at an awkward angle and attempt to not breathe on someone who stays with their back up against the pew. The main thing is that they do not go up for Communion. You might make the decision to abstain that day to make staying in the pew easier for them. I think it is good to invite them to Mass. Never underestimate the power of Christs presence to do some good for someone.

 

[Sr_Sally]

Certianly they are welocme at Mass. Please be sure they don’t go up for Communion of course, and really don’t even suggest they go up for a blessing–the Communion procession is not the time for that.

As for whether they kneel, no they don’t have to. They should be respectful during that time and not take the opportunity to lounge in the pew or chat–perhaps they can bring a prayer book of their own to read (I assume they are Christians).

Finally, be thoughtful about where you sit. Try to attend a less crowded Mass or sit in a less crowded area so there is less chance that people will be sitting directly behind you. It is difficult to kneel when the person in front of you is sitting back in the pew. If there is a little more room in the area where you are sitting, you can slide down a bit, or the people behind you can when they see that your guests aren’t kneeling.

 

[East_Anglican]

Hi,
We have house guests every so often who are non-Catholic. We have been inviting them to come to mass with us. They do come even though they are protestant. They stand and sit when supposed to, but they do not kneel. This makes sense to me and I don’t see it as a slight. If they don’t believe in the Real Presence, wouldn’t it be a lie to kneel? However, I’ve heard other opinions that say it’s despicable to observe (or be in the pew behind them). Is there an official position on this? Would we be better off not to invite them? To ask them to come and kneel? Or to continue letting them come and not kneel? Your opinions are welcome, but citations are even better.
Thanks,
Ben

Why don’t you just sit at the back?

 

[Rawb]

I’ve heard, though where it was now I don’t remember, that non-Catholics used to be asked not to kneel, precisely because they do not believe in the Real Presence.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

I used to bring my friends to Mass even though they weren’t Catholic, and one of them CONVERTED when she turned 18!!!



You just never know what influence you have and how God might reach someone through a simple invitation.

 

[PJM]

Hi,
We have house guests every so often who are non-Catholic. We have been inviting them to come to mass with us. They do come even though they are protestant. They stand and sit when supposed to, but they do not kneel. This makes sense to me and I don’t see it as a slight. If they don’t believe in the Real Presence, wouldn’t it be a lie to kneel? However, I’ve heard other opinions that say it’s despicable to observe (or be in the pew behind them). Is there an official position on this? Would we be better off not to invite them? To ask them to come and kneel? Or to continue letting them come and not kneel? Your opinions are welcome, but citations are even better.
Thanks,
Ben

Dear Ben,

I know of know ruling on this except that they may not receive Holy Communion.

What you and you’re are doing sounds OK.

As for the critics; pray for them. They sure need it. What they are doing, and saying is anti-Christ and not at all inviting. How very sad:shrug:

 

[Cat]

YES!!!

Bring them to Mass!!

As a former Protestant, I wish that a Catholic had brought me to Mass a long time ago.

Jesus is Truly Present in the Blessed Sacrament, and I believe that those who love Him will eventually recognize Him. I did, and so did my husband and daughter.

We have Jesus in our midst! Why would we not want to bring everyone we know to meet Him, just as the Samaritan woman brought everyone in her town out to meet Him?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi,
We have house guests every so often who are non-Catholic. We have been inviting them to come to mass with us. They do come even though they are protestant. They stand and sit when supposed to, but they do not kneel. This makes sense to me and I don’t see it as a slight. If they don’t believe in the Real Presence, wouldn’t it be a lie to kneel? However, I’ve heard other opinions that say it’s despicable to observe (or be in the pew behind them). Is there an official position on this? Would we be better off not to invite them? To ask them to come and kneel? Or to continue letting them come and not kneel? Your opinions are welcome, but citations are even better.
Thanks,
Ben

Of course continue to invite them, any Baptized person is always welcome for the entire Mass. They are not required to kneel if they do not wish to do so. However kneeling is a prayer posture known to most Christians, so it should not be that big a deal.

 

[cknick]

and really don’t even suggest they go up for a blessing–the Communion procession is not the time for that.

Why? They do this all the time at my Parish…What is the purpose of them not to receive a blessing, and when would a more appropriate time be?

 

[Phemie]

Hi,
We have house guests every so often who are non-Catholic. We have been inviting them to come to mass with us. They do come even though they are protestant. They stand and sit when supposed to, but they do not kneel. This makes sense to me and I don’t see it as a slight. If they don’t believe in the Real Presence, wouldn’t it be a lie to kneel? However, I’ve heard other opinions that say it’s despicable to observe (or be in the pew behind them). Is there an official position on this? Would we be better off not to invite them? To ask them to come and kneel? Or to continue letting them come and not kneel? Your opinions are welcome, but citations are even better.
Thanks,
Ben

I would never presume to ask someone to kneel. Some non-Catholics kneel, some don’t. DH was raised in the United Church. He comes to Mass and sings in the choir. He doesn’t kneel. He never has, it’s not the tradition in his Church. My Anglican friends kneel at Mass just like they do at their Church.

Being a good host means making someone feel welcome and not making them feel embarrassed. I think what you’re doing now is just right. You invite, they are free to accept or decline. When they accept they have to do what’s comfortable for them while still being respectful and I think they are.

 

[Ahimsa]

…and really don’t even suggest they go up for a blessing–the Communion procession is not the time for that.

So, when is the time for blessing???

 

[Phemie]

and really don’t even suggest they go up for a blessing–the Communion procession is not the time for that.

Why? They do this all the time at my Parish…What is the purpose of them not to receive a blessing, and when would a more appropriate time be?

You’ll find several threads on the topic, but the gist of it is that this is the time for Communion, not blessings. If you can’t receive Communion for some reason, stay in your pew and make a spiritual Communion. The proper time for a blessing is at the end of the Mass and it’s a blessing for everyone.

This was the Congregation for Divine Worship’s reponse to the question:

The letter said that “this matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation”, so “for the present, this dicastery wishes to limit itself to the following observations”:
1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).
3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.
4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.
5. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).
It’s pretty clear that most of those to whom the invitation is addressed in the parishes that have this “blessing instead of Communion” tradition are those who according to the CDW are not allowed to receive blessings.

 

[Ahimsa]

You’ll find several threads on the topic, but the gist of it is that this is the time for Communion, not blessings. If you can’t receive Communion for some reason, stay in your pew and make a spiritual Communion. The proper time for a blessing is at the end of the Mass and it’s a blessing for everyone.

This was the Congregation for Divine Worship’s reponse to the question:

The letter said that “this matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation”, so “for the present, this dicastery wishes to limit itself to the following observations”: 1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.
…
3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

             It's pretty clear that most of those to whom the invitation is addressed in the parishes that have this "blessing instead of Communion" tradition are those who according to the CDW are not allowed to receive blessings.

On the other hand, some bishops and/or priests, especially in America, do allow the blessing described in point 3.

 

[Sr_Sally]

So, when is the time for blessing???

Sorry I didn’t explain this more fully. It is as Phemie said, there is a blessing of everyone present at the end of the Mass. Also since these visitors are not Catholics, it eliminates any confusion as to whether they can receive communion. I would never encourage a non-Catholic to go up during the communion procession, it just isn’t appropriate.

 

[Seatuck]

So, when is the time for blessing???

The Priest extends a blessing to us all right before the end of Mass. One could of course always approach the priest after Mass. We always did that for a special occasion for one of our kids or even us adults.

 

[jmcrae]

Sorry I didn’t explain this more fully. It is as Phemie said, there is a blessing of everyone present at the end of the Mass. Also since these visitors are not Catholics, it eliminates any confusion as to whether they can receive communion. I would never encourage a non-Catholic to go up during the communion procession, it just isn’t appropriate.

I agree - expecially if it is their first time at Mass, or they don’t go regularly to Mass. Someone who has never seen a real live priest before isn’t going to know how to ask for a blessing, so, even if it is the custom to give blessings in that parish, there will still be confusion and embarrassment for your guests.

It is much, much better to simply ask them to remain seated. It saves all kinds of grief.

As to these people who are complaining that your guests don’t kneel, just say to them point-blank, “It is her very first time at Mass, and I had hoped that the experience would be pleasant for her. I thank you to just lay off, please, and perhaps you could think of something kind to say to her, instead.” All while smiling sweetly, of course!

 

[mkingdomlvr]

I agree - expecially if it is their first time at Mass, or they don’t go regularly to Mass. Someone who has never seen a real live priest before isn’t going to know how to ask for a blessing, so, even if it is the custom to give blessings in that parish, there will still be confusion and embarrassment for your guests.

It is much, much better to simply ask them to remain seated. It saves all kinds of grief.

As to these people who are complaining that your guests don’t kneel, just say to them point-blank, “It is her very first time at Mass, and I had hoped that the experience would be pleasant for her. I thank you to just lay off, please, and perhaps you could think of something kind to say to her, instead.” All while smiling sweetly, of course!

My response to that would be: “Oh really, I didn’t notice, I guess I was too focused on my own prayer! I’m SO sorry their lack of kneeling kept you from focusing on yours” again-all while smiling sweetly…

Some people really need to keep their minds on their own stuff. Good grief.

 

[Kally616]

Of course continue to invite them, any Baptized person is always welcome for the entire Mass.

My non-Catholic, unbaptized husband has been attending Mass with me for the past several weeks. The quote above is making me think I am doing something wrong. Does anyone have any clarification on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Phemie]

Of course continue to invite them, any Baptized person is always welcome for the entire Mass.

My non-Catholic, unbaptized husband has been attending Mass with me for the past several weeks. The quote above is making me think I am doing something wrong. Does anyone have any clarification on this?

Thanks in advance!

You’re doing nothing wrong.

If he were to decide to seek baptism in the Catholic Church then, according to tradition and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, he would only remain in church until after the readings; then he and the other catechumens would be dismissed to go have their own discussions on the Word of God that they had just heard. They would not be present for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.