Rules/Etiquette for going to Church outside of Mass

[Timidity]

The title of the thread says it all: what are the rules/etiquette for going to Church outside of Mass?

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

The first rule is try to find a church open. With all the vandalism, few churches are unlocked outside of daily and weekend Mass and special events-weddings Etc.

Deacon Tony

 

[Brain]

be quiet and reverent, remembering that Christ is present even if mass is not being conducted. genuflect when passing the tabernacle, bow when passing the altar, bless youself with holy water upon entering and leaving. if you are working/decorating in the space, try to minimize mess. If you are cleaning, do so unobtrusivly.

For me personally, if i sit down for some reason, i will genuflect to the tabernacle, on both knees if the eucharist is exposed.

 

[Michael_Welter]

What if the tabernacle is in a seperate chapel? Does the same apply to the main church?

 

[Mike_Dye]

Pretty much the same as at Mass. Our Lord is present. So just act accordingly. Oh, by the way I have to commend you for making the effort to make a visitation. In the city it is hard to find a church open. I wish parishes …even low income parishes could hire a church cleaner mantinance person etc. to be on site and allow the doors to be open at least part time.
Mike

 

[Timidity]

Thanks for all your replies!

I guess main main fear is someone coming in do do something important and finding me there and I’d be intruding.

As a follow up question:
My parish’s church was built in the 19th Century, so it has a fairly traditional design, with the tabernacle behind the altar. In the space behind the altar but before the tabernacle and off to each side (behind some half walls) sits a prie dieu on either side of the tabernacle. (I know, my description is horrible). What’s the purpose of these? It’s almost like they’re there for adoration, but never in my life would I have the audacity to just walk up behind the altar to use them!

Specific comments:
Deacon Tony560:

The first rule is try to find a church open.

My parish is pretty much always open in hours of daylight. I guess that makes me lucky (or, more appropriately, blessed!)

Brain:

…remembering that Christ is present even if mass is not being conducted…

That’s the whole point of going there

Brain:

For me personally, if i sit down for some reason, i will genuflect to the tabernacle, on both knees if the eucharist is exposed.

Just to pick nits, but, by definition it’s impossible to genuflect on both knees. That’s called kneeling!

 

[Lorrie]

There’s a wonderful book called: Catholic Etiquette, What You Need to Know About Catholic Rites and Wrongs by Kay Lynn Isca. Its super easy to read (meaning it “flows” well) and its quite informative. I seriously think ever practicing Catholic should have a copy.

If you do a search on Amazon.com you will find there is 40 new and used copies starting at $7.77. Not a lot to pay for learning good Catholic etiquette.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Deacon Tony560:

The first rule is try to find a church open. With all the vandalism, few churches are unlocked outside of daily and weekend Mass and special events-weddings Etc.

Deacon Tony

However every Church that has the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle is required by Canon Law to be open at least for some hours, outside of Mass. That the faithful may pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[Mike_Dye]

Hi Bro Rich,
I am our parishes Parish Council president and on the liturgy com. and incidentily am also a Secular Fransician. If you could direct me to the area in the Code of Canon Law that requires this it could be quite helpful in the future as I would love nothing more than being able to make a visitation now and then. Thanks in advance and God Bless!
MIKE

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Mike Dye:

Pretty much the same as at Mass. Our Lord is present. So just act accordingly. Oh, by the way I have to commend you for making the effort to make a visitation. In the city it is hard to find a church open. I wish parishes …even low income parishes could hire a church cleaner mantinance person etc. to be on site and allow the doors to be open at least part time.
Mike

It seems I remember reading someplace- was it realpresence.org- that parishes that have Adoration more than once in awhile and leave their doors open at certain times besides for Mass actually see a decrease of crime in the neighborhood in the locality of the church.

Ours is open into the evening. We don’t have perpetual adoration but we have school and lots of meetings.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Mike Dye:

Hi Bro Rich,
I am our parishes Parish Council president and on the liturgy com. and incidentily am also a Secular Fransician. If you could direct me to the area in the Code of Canon Law that requires this it could be quite helpful in the future as I would love nothing more than being able to make a visitation now and then. Thanks in advance and God Bless!
MIKE

Canon 937

 

[CARose]

Thanks Br. Rich,

I also did not know this. Good info to have!

CARose

 

[CatholicCid]

I guess main main fear is someone coming in do do something important and finding me there and I’d be intruding.

I went into a Parish around 11 AM Saturday hoping to get to Confession…
I tried 5 sets of Doors and found some unlocked ones leading into the Church and Chapel…
I went in and went to the Confessional only to find it emptying… Then some lady walked in and asked if I was there to help move the piano… I just kinda looked around, said No and left… She looked like I had vandalized something or something like that so I left pretty fast…

Though, from the looks of it, The Tabernacle probably could be carried away… I walked into their Chapel and thought it was a Container of Holy Water until I saw the Sanctuary Candle hiding in the corner… I basically fell when I saw it… Was like opps… Didn’t know you were there

 

[severinus]

Timidity:

Thanks for all your replies!

I guess main main fear is someone coming in do do something important and finding me there and I’d be intruding.

As a follow up question:
My parish’s church was built in the 19th Century, so it has a fairly traditional design, with the tabernacle behind the altar. In the space behind the altar but before the tabernacle and off to each side (behind some half walls) sits a prie dieu on either side of the tabernacle. (I know, my description is horrible). What’s the purpose of these? It’s almost like they’re there for adoration, but never in my life would I have the audacity to just walk up behind the altar to use them!

Specific comments:

My parish is pretty much always open in hours of daylight. I guess that makes me lucky (or, more appropriately, blessed!)

That’s the whole point of going there

Just to pick nits, but, by definition it’s impossible to genuflect on both knees. That’s called kneeling!

There is a double genuflection:

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur92.htm

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

CatholicCid:

I went into a Parish around 11 AM Saturday hoping to get to Confession…
I tried 5 sets of Doors and found some unlocked ones leading into the Church and Chapel…
I went in and went to the Confessional only to find it emptying… Then some lady walked in and asked if I was there to help move the piano… I just kinda looked around, said No and left… She looked like I had vandalized something or something like that so I left pretty fast…

Though, from the looks of it, The Tabernacle probably could be carried away… I walked into their Chapel and thought it was a Container of Holy Water until I saw the Sanctuary Candle hiding in the corner… I basically fell when I saw it… Was like opps… Didn’t know you were there

Tabernacles are supposed to be solid and secure. The few that I have helped move (even the little one) weighed several hundred pounds. I think someone said that the bigger one bee-hive shaped about 3 feet tall weighed 500 pounds. On top of that it’s bolted down through the bottom. Not something you would just pick up and walk off with. The worst location I have ever seen was at a parish in Southern Pines, N.C. It took several minutes and a second trip to the office to locate the tabernacle. It was in a “Closet”. Yes, a closet it was to the right of the sanctuary. Was about three foot deep and six to eight feet wide inside. To pray with the Blessed Sacrament you opened the door and then went over about six feet away and sat in a pew facing the sanctuary not the taberncale, which was to your right when sitting in the pew. No kneelers by the way.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Timidity:

Thanks for all your replies!

I guess main main fear is someone coming in do do something important and finding me there and I’d be intruding.

As a follow up question:
My parish’s church was built in the 19th Century, so it has a fairly traditional design, with the tabernacle behind the altar. In the space behind the altar but before the tabernacle and off to each side (behind some half walls) sits a prie dieu on either side of the tabernacle. (I know, my description is horrible). What’s the purpose of these? It’s almost like they’re there for adoration, but never in my life would I have the audacity to just walk up behind the altar to use them!

Specific comments:

My parish is pretty much always open in hours of daylight. I guess that makes me lucky (or, more appropriately, blessed!)

That’s the whole point of going there

Just to pick nits, but, by definition it’s impossible to genuflect on both knees. That’s called kneeling!

In reading some old materials. This “double genuflection” term is used. I guess the difference between kneeling and “double genuflection” is that you are to also bow while kneeling in the “double genuflection”. Otherwise I don’t see the difference between kneeling and “double genuflection”

 

[CARose]

IMHO,

Kneeling suggests you will be remaining in that posture for some duration, whereas double genuflection would suggest that it is for a momentary gesture of honor.

CARose

 

[severinus]

What I do when going to a church in an unfamiliar city outside Mass:

1. Find an open church.
2. See if I can tell from the sign outside if it’s Catholic.
3. Enter the church and dip my fingers in the holy water to bless myself, if the water has not been replaced by sand or simply gotten rid of.
4. See if I can find the tabernacle.
5. Kneel before it. This is easier if I can find a kneeler, which is not always possible.
6. Pray.
7. Pick up a bulletin, which will give me the schedule of ‘communion services’ and the names of the church staff (e.g., Minister of Music - John Doe).
8. Close the door quietly behind me.

 

[severinus]

CARose:

IMHO,

Kneeling suggests you will be remaining in that posture for some duration, whereas double genuflection would suggest that it is for a momentary gesture of honor.

CARose

Your humble opinion is correct. It’s a momentary touching of both knees to the floor. Don’t be so humble.