RCIA and attending the full Mass

[CJsmommy]

I have been leaving Mass just after the homily, as I thought as someone unconfirmed that I wasn’t supposed to be present for the Eucharist Itself. However, I found out at RCIA class that since I’m a candidate rather than a catechumen (sp?) I can stay. But at the same time I know I would feel awkward staying and not receiving. Should I continue leaving after the homily?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

When you leave, are you joining the catechumens to break open the word, or are you simply leaving and going home?

If you wish to join the catechumens and your RCIA team OKs it, then join them.

But if you’re simply leaving after the homily, you’re missing out. If your parish is one that gives blessings at communion time, you may join the communion line and receive a blessing. Or you may stay in your pew and make a spiritual communion.

 

[Phemie]

I have been leaving Mass just after the homily, as I thought as someone unconfirmed that I wasn’t supposed to be present for the Eucharist Itself. However, I found out at RCIA class that since I’m a candidate rather than a catechumen (sp?) I can stay. But at the same time I know I would feel awkward staying and not receiving. Should I continue leaving after the homily?

Stay and until you are received into full communion, use Communion time to kneel and make a spiritual Communion.

catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=35

You won’t be the only one not going up to receive. Even if people notice it’s none of their business.

 

[otjm]

If you are in a group and the group is being dismissed, then go with the group. If you are on your own, then stay, or ask the RCIA coordinator what they suggest.

 

[808Catholic]

When you leave, are you joining the catechumens to break open the word, or are you simply leaving and going home?

If you wish to join the catechumens and your RCIA team OKs it, then join them.

But if you’re simply leaving after the homily, you’re missing out. If your parish is one that gives blessings at communion time, you may join the communion line and receive a blessing. Or you may stay in your pew and make a spiritual communion.

I agree; stay for the dismissal at the end of Mass unless told otherwise by the priest or the RCIA team lead. I like your encouragement to the OP to go up during Communion to receive a blessing instead of the Body of Christ. Although I’m a confirmed Catholic and RCIA instructor, there are a few occasions I find myself in an improper state of grace and so had to refuse partaking of the Eucharist. People in my parish know me and were asking what’s wrong so I just replied I’m not in a state of proper grace. They urged me to reconsider but I was not comfortable with their reasoning so just received a blessing. After I confessed my sins a few days later, all was right again and I was extremely happy to receive His Body and Blood!

There is no shame in attending Mass and not receiving the Eucharist; the shame is for people who receive Christ when they know they shouldn’t.

 

[Phemie]

I agree; stay for the dismissal at the end of Mass unless told otherwise by the priest or the RCIA team lead. I like your encouragement to the OP to go up during Communion to receive a blessing instead of the Body of Christ. Although I’m a confirmed Catholic and RCIA instructor, there are a few occasions I find myself in an improper state of grace and so had to refuse partaking of the Eucharist. People in my parish know me and were asking what’s wrong so I just replied I’m not in a state of proper grace. They urged me to reconsider but I was not comfortable with their reasoning so just received a blessing. After I confessed my sins a few days later, all was right again and I was extremely happy to receive His Body and Blood!

There is no shame in attending Mass and not receiving the Eucharist; the shame is for people who receive Christ when they know they shouldn’t.

I would never advise anyone to go up for a blessing without knowing their parish. For one thing, that’s not what Communion time is for and, for another, many parishes don’t do that.

 

[CJsmommy]

I stayed today, in the very back, and noticed that there was a handful that also stayed seated. I don’t know for sure about going up for a blessing, although I did see a boy that went up with his family and came back with his arms crossed. I just watched what the person in the pew in front of me did (kneeled).

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Are there other candidates in RCIA? Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if you all sat together.

Please don’t feel like you have to hide in the back of the church. You’re not doing anything wrong!

 

[exnihilo]

Since you can stay, if I were you I’d stay. You can still participate in the Eucharist, particularly the sacrificial offering, while not receiving communion. I did this for over a year. I’m not fond of the idea of going up for a blessing so I just stayed kneeling in the pew. As you observed there are others who will do this. You may feel awkward. I did at first. But there is nothing wrong with it and in fact it is the best thing you can do until you are received into the Church.

 

[Phemie]

Are there other candidates in RCIA? Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if you all sat together.

Please don’t feel like you have to hide in the back of the church. You’re not doing anything wrong!

It’s true that there is no shame in not receiving. In fact, other posters have indicated that if you attended a Spanish Mass you might see as much as half the community refrain from receiving because they prefer to receive only when they have been to Confession recently.

There are several reasons why one might not receive: feeling a need for Confession before doing so, not having fasted the required length of time, feeling queasy and not wanting to risk it, having already received, not being Catholic, etc.

 

[CJsmommy]

Are there other candidates in RCIA? Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if you all sat together.

Please don’t feel like you have to hide in the back of the church. You’re not doing anything wrong!

With my erratic schedule from week to week, I rarely know for sure which Mass I’ll be attending until a day or two before.

It seemed like most of those not receiving were more toward the back, though not sitting together.