Questions about attending a Mass

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Pattylt

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I hope to attend a Mass as a visitor and I have read through several threads about what to wear, how to act,etc. We have 3 Catholic Churches in town but only 2 are in English. My Spanish is way too poor to attempt the Spanish one. I went to the web sites of these 2 and notice that the Saturday Mass says Anticipatory after it. Please explain what, if anything, may not be included in this compared to a Sunday Mass? Does an Anticipatory Mass fulfill the Sunday obligation for a Catholic? Since I am not Catholic, it doesn’t matter to me, just curious.

Also, I was hoping one of the Masses would be a Latin Mass but none of them were listed as such. I assume this means they don’t have them?

Should I arrive a little early and introduce myself or just not worry about it? I plan on familiarizing myself with the readings for the day of Mass and I know where to look for that but I would like to have the pamphlet or whatever it is called that explains the processes and prayers, etc. for a Mass. Any links where I can download this to have ahead of time. I don’t want to look foolish rummaging through hymnals looking for it.

Thanks in advance for the information.
 
Anticipatory Mass is the correct term for the Saturday evening Mass that fulfills the Sunday obligation. We often call it the Vigil Mass but that’s not strictly correct. The Anticipatory Saturday Mass should be same as Sunday.

What you are describing with the prayers, etc is called the “Order of Mass”. The USCCB has a summary of the Order of Mass on its website, but doesn’t have the specific prayers, which in some places have multiple options that the priest can choose from. I would suggest you use the missalettes in church and just look for the Order of Mass. It is not hard to find.

As for Latin Masses, if the Mass isn’t specifically labeled as Latin or Traditional Latin or Tridentine, then it’s going to be regular ordinary form in English. There aren’t that many Latin Masses around.
 
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If you google “daily mass readings” and check out the usccb website,
It might be mice to make introductions, but not necessary.
 
Kyrie (Lord have mercy) could be in Greek instead of your own language. Gloria, Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy etc), Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) could be said or sung in Latin as well as Credo (Creed) and Pater Noster (Our Father) or your language. It really depends upon what the priest and/or cantor prefer for the celebration of the day.
 
Would the Cantor be listed on their web site? I ask because the Priest and 4 Deacons were listed but no Cantor was? Perhaps they either don’t have one or use guest Cantors. I guess I’ll find out!
 
Yes, they were listed for 4:00pm. Thanks for tip for finding the Mass cards. Good to know.
 
The websites from parishes vary very much in how often they are updated and what kind of information is put on them. One parish updates the announcements every week while another might have something like last update for the calendar is 6 years ago with “Please look at the notice board for Mass times. Church is opened 1 hour before Mass is celebrated.”
 
Pattylt said:
Cantor
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Most of the time, these are volunteers that rotate. Some parishes have staff cantors, but that’s not been my experience. The typical is maybe one paid music director and the rest volunteer, thus, their names won’t be listed alongside the clergy (and of course, they aren’t anyway).

As far as the prayers, etc. - why not just attend your first Mass and soak it all in rather than trying to follow everything? You might find more value there. If they have hardcover hymnals, the main items are likely inside the front/back covers. If not, as someone mentioned, there will be a paperback dated booklet (missallette) or card available somewhere; you might see them in the pew or may have to ask someone - hopefully they’ll have ushers or greeters (but not all do).

As far as introducing yourself, don’t be surprised if you’re not met with much reception. It’s just not a common Catholic thing. Again, some parishes have greeters. Many do not. Some people are chatty before Mass (to the dismay of others), many are there to privately pray beforehand. The priest may be greeting people, hearing confessions, or running around getting things ready (or “in hiding” to prepare himself spiritually/mentally). You may not have a good option for introductions until afterward, and even then it may be a passing hello. Don’t take it personally. If you feel moved or inspired, follow up with the office during the week to make introductions.

Let us know how it goes!
 
I will let you know. I’m not worried if I’m greeted or not. I’ve looked into the questions here on what to expect and that has been mentioned. Many Protestant churches go way overboard on the meet and greet and start wanting you to fill out information cards, give your email, etc and when I explain that I am not a believer and just wanted to see one of their services they sometimes (not all) get kinda annoyed or cold. Some still welcome me, it varies. I’ve only gone to a few Protestant services except in my youth and those were liturgical ones or Catholic.
 
My recommendation would be to listen and enjoy the Mass. Don’t get hung up on the particulars, acquainting yourself with the scripture readings ahead of time is great! Let us know how it goes.
 
just dress neatly and cleanly without showing cleavage or budgie smugglers, arrive a little early, just sit down in a seat and pray, copy everyone when they sit stand and kneel. it will be quite foreign but after a few Masses you will get the hang of it. Listen and look
 
When you go to mass, stand up when everybody stands up. Sit down when everybody sits down. Kneel when everybody kneels. It is not necessary to get in line for communion if you are not a Catholic. Follow this and everything should be ok.
 
poche said:
When you go to mass, stand up when everybody stands up. Sit down when everybody sits down. Kneel when everybody kneels. It is not necessary to get in line for communion if you are not a Catholic. Follow this and everything should be ok.
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You don’t have to kneel if you don’t feel comfortable. I don’t kneel when going to Mass with my family, I just slide forward in the pew a bit to give the person behind me room.
 
Your questions have been answered well so I won’t belabor them with more of the same. I’ll just say it took me several years to work up the courage to attend my first Mass which I did four years ago. I now find I can’t get enough of them and have been as often as four times in a week. Best to you. 🙂
 
Thanks everyone. I’ve attended Mass in my youth with my best friend so it won’t be completely strange although those were the Latin days. No need to worry about me dress No inappropriately. I’m 66 and everyone would run screaming and crying if I wore yoga pants or showed cleavage 😂. I grew up going to Orthodox synagogue (Jewish) and now that I’m an adult I want to see how many parts of a Catholic Mass traces its roots to an Orthodox service! I will add that kneeling may be an issue as I’m a bit arthritic with an artificial knee but the tip to lean forward to help the person behind me is greatly appreciated.
 
Pattylt said:
I will add that kneeling may be an issue as I’m a bit arthritic with an artificial knee but the tip to lean forward to help the person behind me is greatly appreciated.
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That’s fine. Lean or scoot a bit forward (while still sitting) if there’s someone behind you is a common courtesy, though they can manage if you don’t.
 
Don’t fear, I won’t. I even knew that back in the 1960’s! It’s just matzo and I certainly know that tastes like! (Referring to its state before being changed, of course).
 
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