non-Catholics welcome at mass?

[jmcrae]

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!

No, you’re fine - and so is he. Mass is a public celebration - anyone may attend.

 

[z_0101]

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.

→
Although I have seen the “option” listed in the missal to dismiss the members of the RCIA class, I do not see where such is a requirment in the GIRM.
usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

Am I missing something here?

There is another thread here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=19893

 

[DebChris]

You may invite anybody to join the worship of the Mass with you.
I would not limit that invitation solely to those who have been baptized. Invite anybody who may be genuinely interested in learning more about the Catholic Church.
You may need to sit in the back of the church in order to explain what is happening to a person who has never been to Mass before.
The non-Catholic churches that I have visited do not have kneelers. As already mentioned, there are physical reasons why a Catholic might not kneel. Sitting is the least noticeable posture to take when unable or unwilling to kneel. Yes, do be aware that the person behind you may want to kneel.
The non-Catholic may merely be an observer, again making sitting the proper posture to take; and of course standing when everybody else stands (unless there are physical limitations).

As Catholics, we may likewise attend the services of our non-Catholic brothers and sisters. Remember of course that we must first attend Mass. As our non-Catholic brothers and sisters may not receive Communion in the Catholic Church, neither are we to share in the “Lord’s Supper” offered in a non-Catholic church. Do let your guest know this in advance. I do not consider the comfort of my guest a legitimate reason to refrain from receive Communion, “the source and summit” of our faith.
I attend a Mass in a large parish where readings and prayers are projected on the front wall. One of the slides includes the statement Communion is to received by Catholics only. Since the Masses for this large parish are generally packed, I might even sit in the courtyard with a first time guest in order to explain what is happening on the video screen.

 

[DebChris]

→
Although I have seen the “option” listed in the missal to dismiss the members of the RCIA class, I do not see where such is a requirment in the GIRM.
usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

Am I missing something here?

There is another thread here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=19893

You are not missing anything. In the early Church, all non-Baptized persons were dismissed after the Liturgy of the Word. Only those who were Baptized were allowed to attend the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Today, all may attend the complete celebration of the Mass while only Catholics may actually receive.

 

[Phemie]

You are not missing anything. In the early Church, all non-Baptized persons were dismissed after the Liturgy of the Word. Only those who were Baptized were allowed to attend the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Today, all may attend the complete celebration of the Mass while only Catholics may actually receive.

It’s still that way when you have catechumens in your parish, or at least it should be that way.

@z_0101 – When it comes to a catechumen, you won’t find anything in the GIRM. The instructions are in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, which is not, as most people seem to think, a program of study that converts do. The RCIA is a collection of rituals that converts go through (or should go through) as they prepare to join the Church.

The GIRM only addresses regular Masses. Other rituals, such as Baptism, Marriage, and, yes, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, contain their own rubrics that affect how a regular Mass is celebrated.