Should I invite my non-Catholic family to the Easter Vigil?

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Hello you beautiful people I was wondering whether or not I should invite my immediate family to this year’s Easter Vigil as I will be getting baptized :). I am worried about them being very uncomfortable because most of them have never been to a Catholic mass before. They wouldn’t understand most of the things going on. But, I really want them to physically see how important the Catholic faith is to me. One of my sisters is already planning on becoming Catholic next year so that wouldn’t be a problem but two of my sisters straight up told me they don’t want to be Catholic (satan is soo annoying!). I am most worried about my parents feeling uncomfortable. My mom especially because she used to be Mormon, is agnostic now and she already feels uncomfortable in protestant churches. She is very anti-religious. Besides my mom and my sister who wants to convert next year, my family attends protestant churches. Have any of you experienced this before, or something similar to it (like inviting non-catholics to a wedding during mass)?
 
jenlovesyu said:
Hello you beautiful people I was wondering whether or not I should invite my immediate family to this year’s Easter Vigil as I will be getting baptized :). I am worried about them being very uncomfortable because most of them have never been to a Catholic mass before. They wouldn’t understand most of the things going on. But, I really want them to physically see how important the Catholic faith is to me. One of my sisters is already planning on becoming Catholic next year so that wouldn’t be a problem but two of my sisters straight up told me they don’t want to be Catholic (satan is soo annoying!). I am most worried about my parents feeling uncomfortable. My mom especially because she used to be Mormon, is agnostic now and she already feels uncomfortable in protestant churches. She is very anti-religious. Besides my mom and my sister who wants to convert next year, my family attends protestant churches. Have any of you experienced this before, or something similar to it (like inviting non-catholics to a wedding during mass)?
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I think you should invite them. This is an important night for you and of course you want your family to be there. If they don’t want to come that’s their decision to make, but I would invite them anyway.

You might want to give them some information so they know what to expect, particularly since the Easter Vigil is so different from a normal Sunday Mass. And let them know it’s long!

Share your joy with them and let them know that you would love for them to come.
 
Invite them because it is an important event in your life. If you’re worried they won’t know what to do, invite them to a regular mass beforehand or tell them about what happens and let them ask questions. Tell them that they don’t have to do anything that makes them uncomfortable and that you will appreaciate their love and support on your special day.

Peace and welcome,
-S-
 
jenlovesyu said:
Hello you beautiful people I was wondering whether or not I should invite my immediate family to this year’s Easter Vigil as I will be getting baptized :). I am worried about them being very uncomfortable because most of them have never been to a Catholic mass before. They wouldn’t understand most of the things going on. But, I really want them to physically see how important the Catholic faith is to me. One of my sisters is already planning on becoming Catholic next year so that wouldn’t be a problem but two of my sisters straight up told me they don’t want to be Catholic (satan is soo annoying!). I am most worried about my parents feeling uncomfortable. My mom especially because she used to be Mormon, is agnostic now and she already feels uncomfortable in protestant churches. She is very anti-religious. Besides my mom and my sister who wants to convert next year, my family attends protestant churches. Have any of you experienced this before, or something similar to it (like inviting non-catholics to a wedding during mass)?
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Invite them and tell them how much you would like them there…and then let the Holy Spirit to the rest…congratulations and welcome home
 
A couple of my friends from my old church came to my Confirmation/1st Communion. They didn’t necessarily “get” why I was converting, but they are good friends and wanted to be supportive of any major event in my life, so they came.

I think most people will at least kind of get that this is a big deal, even if they don’t really understand why, and will be supportive. So I say invite them and let them decide what they want to do. 🤷 😃
 
It is a very beautiful service and even those that aren’t religious will be struck by it’s beauty…It is something wonderful to see , and to hear…it is a rich cultural experience for anyone that doesn’t get the religious side of it
 
Hi Jen

Hope this helps?

I married into a catholic family and its a wonderful time in your life when your being brought into the catholic faith - i’m the same as you this easter confirmation/1st communion on Easter Sunday.

At my wedding we organised that both mums and my gran brought the offerings down and it gave them parcipitation into the whole ritual of mass - also they felt proud that we were very welcome into the parish as they didnt really know much about the mass etc

On easter my whole immediate family are coming again and my mum phoned up and asked about the equitet of the whole ceremony - i could only explain that its a mass with an added bit for myself and then proceeds as normal. The Priest and Monsegnior have expressed delightment to welcome them back and are more than happy to give them blessings as they did during the wedding.

Since i dont get to see my parents a lot (i live on west coast of scotland and they are in the east) its a great way to catch up and then see why its so important.

Just let them know if they have questions that you can help answer them or ask your parish for a little guidance!

God bless and good luck!
 
Definitely invite them. It is a major event for you. Regardless of their attitude toward Mother Church, imagine the message they get if they are not invited to such a blessed event.
 
Make sure they understand all that’s going on before hand, for comfort sake. This will prevent any misunderstandings and embarrassment. Your friends don’t want to embarrass you and don’t want to be embarrassed 🙂
 
Well, firstly I’m so glad you’re being baptized. Welcome to the Catholic faith.

But I think you should invite them. It’s an important event for you, and I think they should be there to share in your joy.

-Jeanne
 
Invite them and if they accept maybe your sponsor or someone else that is already Catholic could sit with them and help, or explain things. They would probably feel more comfortable with someone at their side.
 
Prague said:
Invite them and if they accept maybe your sponsor or someone else that is already Catholic could sit with them and help, or explain things. They would probably feel more comfortable with someone at their side.
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Keep in mind, your sponsor will be sitting with you, and at our parish you will sit up front. The first few rows are reserved for people coming into the Church and their Godparent/Sponsor. Everyone else fills in behind them.

It is also VERY crowded. There are no empty seats. And the only reserved ones are the ones up front. If you do invite and they come, make sure they come early.

I second the idea of having someone sit with them. That way that someone can explain what is going on, when to sit and when to stand, and where to find the readings in the missal.
 
Re: Sponsor- Sorry should have said a sponsor who could ask a friend to help out.
 
When my son-in-law was received into the Church, he invited his Methodist parents and sister to the Easter Vigil and they came and really liked it. They did understand they couldn’t receive the Eucharist, but they participated in everything else. My husband and I sat with them, which made them feel more comfortable, and I explained a few things. Invite them, and if they come, I am sure they will appreciate the beauty of the Liturgy.
 
Hi,
I am looking at this in a different light. I agree that you should invite them…but for me in my life…?

I have 3 children who are in a very confusing church situation, and for that matter in the midst of a marriage that’s a mess right now. My husband would get frustrated and move us around a lot. They were sad and confused, as they are now. I decided that I had waited long enough (over 6 yrs), and began to start the process to enter the CC. Yet I KNOW that if I introduce this now into their lives, it will be divisive. They are boys and seem to naturally look to their dad for guidance. I simply want to explain that I have taken the instruction necessary to receive Holy Communion, and leave it at that. Believe me, with the way things are now I feel strongly that it would isolate me even further from them all than I am now. Yet the CC has provided a safe haven for me, and I am so happy about coming home this Easter, well actually 4/26 being confirmed by the Bishop.

:rolleyes:
 
moen I hope your new found faith will bring you many blessings and peace in your life and home…I will think of you on Holy Saturday and say a prayer for you
 
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