Non-Christians in Mass - what's expected of them?

[gearhead]

I was reading another thread and read something in the article it discussed that brought up a question in my mind.

Everybody at Mass is supposed to be uniform in standing, sitting, and kneeling (GIRM 20), and there are universal rules about it. In this country you are still required to kneel during the Consecration, from after the end of the Sanctus until the Great Amen, even if there aren’t any kneelers (GIRM 21; Appendix to the General Instruction 21). You are required to bow or kneel at the words “by the power of the Holy Spirit” in the Creed (GIRM 98).

I’m not a Catholic; I’m an unbaptized atheist, in fact. And while I’ve occasionally gone with my wife to Mass, I feel that it would be improper for me to kneel for a number of reasons.

With that in mind, is kneeling actually expected of me as a non-Catholic and non-Christian? Am I potentially making trouble for my wife by not kneeling? Are there other rules or procedures that I should be worrying about as a non-Catholic in Mass?

… aside from not partaking of the Eucharist, that is. Even I know I shouldn’t do that.

 

[mswood]

I go to catholic mass but I am not currently baptized (starting RCIA so I will be this Easter). I spoke with the parish priest to make sure that I didn’t do anything “wrong” during mass. What he told me is that I can participate in almost everything except I should not say the creed (as this is a profession of faith and as I am not part of the faith yet I should not recite the creed) or receive the eucharist. He also suggested I not “bless” myself with the holy water on the way in or out of the chapel as this is a symbol to recall the baptizmal vows (since I am not baptized). He also said that I did not have to kneel if I did not wish to, that I could simply sit quietly in the pew while the others are kneeling (though I do kneel because I want to participate as fully as possible in mass, I have noticed some that do not kneel but stay seated). He did say I should stand when everyone else does.

 

[gearhead]

Thanks.

He also said that I did not have to kneel if I did not wish to, that I could simply sit quietly in the pew while the others are kneeling (though I do kneel because I want to participate as fully as possible in mass, I have noticed some that do not kneel but stay seated). He did say I should stand when everyone else does.

I do stand with the congregation; I just don’t kneel.

I’ve seen other people who don’t kneel, but I have no idea whether they’re people who refrain from kneeling because of physical ailments, or whether they’re able-bodied people who refuse to kneel. I assume that Church rules wouldn’t force a person with a bad knee or hip to kneel if it would cause them pain or damage.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is no expectation beyond the ordinary civil courtesy and respect you would show when in someone else’s home, place of business, place of worship etc., the general rules of courtesy for a guest. You should not kneel, genuflect, sing etc. unless you yourself feel comfortable in doing so. The experience, like all new experiences, will be most beneficial for you if you simply listen and observe. Welcome, as you should know you are welcome in any Catholic church any time its doors are open. If you are concerned about how to dress, ordinary business attire is always a good option.

when we quote “rules” such as above, those are for Catholics. Non-Catholics are not bound by norms that apply to us. Naturally you would not assume a disrespectful posture at any time during Mass, but you are not required to kneel if it seems wrong to do so. Many people will not be kneeling due to infirmity or other reasons, so it is really nobody’s business and no one should presume to criticize you.

and no, as stated, you would not partake of the Eucharist since that is our fundamental sign of unity which we do not as yet share (but you do know we will be praying for you).

 

[gearhead]

when we quote “rules” such as above, those are for Catholics. Non-Catholics are not bound by norms that apply to us.

Okay. It was the “everybody at Mass” bit in the article that made me wonder.

 

[Monica37]

My husband is an unbaptized agnostic. He attends Mass with us sometimes as well. He does kneel when we kneel and stands when we stand. I think for him it is out of respect for the congregation. He may not agree with it, but he freely chose to be in that situation and does so out of courtesy. I have never asked him to do anything at mass. He is in Germany right now with my 15 year old daughter and has gone out of his way to take her to Mass and attend with her. He also says the blessing before our meals. I know he does all of this out of respect for me (if he truely believes that there is no God, then these things are meaningless and are just physical actions performed out of respect for me). I can’t explain to you how much these little gestures mean to me even though they may be meaningless to him.