Visitors in Mass?

[CBS]

I know Churches will vary, but in general is it possible for visitors to sit-in on a Mass? Is there a certain area where a visitor wouldn’t get in the way and could observe without it being disrespectful, especially during the Eucharist?

I have a few Catholic co-workers I could possibly go with to walk me through one, Eucharist excluded until after RCIA obviously, but they are quite a bit a ways away from me and I’d most likely pick a Parish closer to me anyway.

 

[Sarabande]

I know Churches will vary, but in general is it possible for visitors to sit-in on a Mass? Is there a certain area where a visitor wouldn’t get in the way and could observe without it being disrespectful, especially during the Eucharist?

I have a few Catholic co-workers I could possibly go with to walk me through one, Eucharist excluded until after RCIA obviously, but they are quite a bit a ways away from me and I’d most likely pick a Parish closer to me anyway.

We have lots of visitors come to our parish (it’s the cathedral in our city). There isn’t any designated area where visitors sit. They can sit anywhere, but I find that visitors tend to sit in the back of the church, especially if they are not familiar with the liturgy. Even though I’m Catholic, I will sometimes sit in the middle of the church at a church I’m visiting if I’m not sure how the parish does things there (in terms of when they kneel, stand, etc.)

 

[KarenElissa]

Yup! You are welcome to come to Mass any time! Like you said, no Eucharist for now, but you are welcome to participate in anything else you feel comfortable with. Just follow along.

There should be a Missal somewhere, ours are in the back of the pews, that will have all of the readings and responses and everything in them, so you know what is going on. Or you are welcome to just observe and take everything in, which ever you feel comfortable with.

When I first started going to Mass, I tried to sit on the ends of the rows, that way during communion I could either stand up and let everyone out or back in, but I didn’t have to do both or make everyone climb over me.

 

[CBS]

Thanks for the answers. I was going to go this morning and I thought I should probably ask first. I know Protestant services, but Catholic Mass is a whole different world for me. Thanks for the clue on the Missal, I figure I could just try and keep up with everyone around me and their movements. I wouldn’t want to just sit there, I’d feel incredibly rude and disrespectful. Especially in a Church I might want to be my Church family in the future.

 

[KarenElissa]

Thanks for the answers. I was going to go this morning and I thought I should probably ask first. I know Protestant services, but Catholic Mass is a whole different world for me. Thanks for the clue on the Missal, I figure I could just try and keep up with everyone around me and their movements. I wouldn’t want to just sit there, I’d feel incredibly rude and disrespectful. Especially in a Church I might want to be my Church family in the future.

It is incredibly different, but totally amazing. I just started going last year right before Easter and was really nervous. But it is amazing how fast you catch on. Here is a good overview of the different parts of that Mass and some brief explanations on why we do the different things. But enjoy the experience! It is amazing and a big part of what drew me into the Church. :heaven:

 

[CBS]

It is incredibly different, but totally amazing. I just started going last year right before Easter and was really nervous. But it is amazing how fast you catch on. Here is a good overview of the different parts of that Mass and some brief explanations on why we do the different things. But enjoy the experience! It is amazing and a big part of what drew me into the Church. :heaven:

Thanks. I’ve felt drawn to Catholic Church for a while now, but really started considering it in the last week. The Church authority and such has drawn me in for the fact that I’ve had two Protestant churches split and fall apart on me. They all vary so greatly in services and scripture interpretation and it’s been a turn off.

I can’t say it hasn’t been a struggle because I have years of Protestant teachings and anti-Catholic beliefs instilled in me, but as I read, get correct information from other Catholics and converts it feels more and more like the right move.

I’ve ordered a few books like Catholicism for Dummies written by Rev. John Triligio, which has been invaluable in teaching the basics of Catholicism in an easy to understand way and Home Sweet Rome by Scott Hahn to help in my decision making process. Not to mention CAF, also invaluable.

I’ve also been watching Fr. John Corapi on EWTN on and off and he is amazing.

 

[masondoggy]

Hi. Don’t be afraid to go and don’t worry about doing things wrong or being in the way. You might actually feel more comfortable going to a daily Mass that isn’t so crowded. Or maybe you’d feel more comfortable slipping into the back row of a crowded Sunday Mass (Or even right smack in the front row if you’d like!). Whatever your more comfortable with. When it comes time for Communion, you can just sit back in the pew and let others pass you, no big deal. Oh, and don’t freak out when you accidentally sit down when everybody else stands up. I’m a cradle Catholic and I just did that last night at Mass, lol! We all have our moments!

Good luck and check in and tell us what you think. WELCOME!

 

[CBS]

Hi. Don’t be afraid to go and don’t worry about doing things wrong or being in the way. You might actually feel more comfortable going to a daily Mass that isn’t so crowded. Or maybe you’d feel more comfortable slipping into the back row of a crowded Sunday Mass (Or even right smack in the front row if you’d like!). Whatever your more comfortable with. When it comes time for Communion, you can just sit back in the pew and let others pass you, no big deal. Oh, and don’t freak out when you accidentally sit down when everybody else stands up. I’m a cradle Catholic and I just did that last night at Mass, lol! We all have our moments!

Good luck and check in and tell us what you think. WELCOME!

Thanks. Do most Churches have a Mass every day? Not just on Saturday night and Sunday morning/night? Also, am I permitted to participate in confessional and can I ask to be blessed?

 

[KarenElissa]

Thanks. I’ve felt drawn to Catholic Church for a while now, but really started considering it in the last week. The Church authority and such has drawn me in for the fact that I’ve had two Protestant churches split and fall apart on me. They all vary so greatly in services and scripture interpretation and it’s been a turn off.

I can’t say it hasn’t been a struggle because I have years of Protestant teachings and anti-Catholic beliefs instilled in me, but as I read, get correct information from other Catholics and converts it feels more and more like the right move.

I’ve ordered a few books like Catholicism for Dummies written by Rev. John Triligio, which has been invaluable in teaching the basics of Catholicism in an easy to understand way and Home Sweet Rome by Scott Hahn to help in my decision making process. Not to mention CAF, also invaluable.

I’ve also been watching Fr. John Corapi on EWTN on and off and he is amazing.

The Dummies one is definitely a good book. It is a great intro to Catholicism and answers lots of those random basic questions. I’ve never read the Hahn book, it has just never happened, but I’ve heard it is good. Thomas Howard is one of my new favorite authors and he is also a convert.

I randomly went to Mass right before Easter and pretty much fell in love with the whole thing. I now firmly believe that it was Jesus calling me to Himself in the Blessed Sacrament. That set me off searching and I was received into the Church at the end of November. I’m loving it more and more every day! It still seems totally crazy, I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined I’d be Catholic, but I’m more and more thankful for it each day!

Thanks. Do most Churches have a Mass every day? Not just on Saturday night and Sunday morning/night? Also, am I permitted to participate in confessional and can I ask to be blessed?

Yes, just about every parish will have daily Mass. I think about the only exceptions are really small parishes that share priests with each other. They are usually in the morning sometime, although sometimes at noon or in the evening too. Masstimes.org is a great place to find a parish near you and when they have Mass.

No, you are not really allowed to participate in confession until you are Catholic, or right before. Some people will say you can go to confession, but not receive absolution, the actual forgiveness of your sins, but I would probably talk to my priest before I tried that.

 

[masondoggy]

Also, don’t hesitate to contact the Parish and ask to sit down and talk to a priest or the RCIA director. I’m sure they could help answer a lot of your questions, maybe show you around, and discuss getting you signed up for RCIA classes (which, btw, don’t obligate you to anything. It’s just a path to learn about the Church and help you make the decision one way or another).

 

[CBS]

I randomly went to Mass right before Easter and pretty much fell in love with the whole thing. I now firmly believe that it was Jesus calling me to Himself in the Blessed Sacrament. That set me off searching and I was received into the Church at the end of November. I’m loving it more and more every day! It still seems totally crazy, I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined I’d be Catholic, but I’m more and more thankful for it each day!

Yes, I feel the same way, called in a sense.

Ditto on the “never thought I’d be Catholic.” but the more I research the more my reserves about the Church fade and the more my desire is strengthened.

Thanks, for the heads up on the confessional situation. I dunno I’d be up for that this soon anyway. Definitely be a little uncomfortable anyway. After being accepted into the church don’t you have more options than just the confessional “booth” per se, isn’t there a reconciliation before Mass where you can confess with the rest of the Church or something?

 

[CBS]

Also, don’t hesitate to contact the Parish and ask to sit down and talk to a priest or the RCIA director. I’m sure they could help answer a lot of your questions, maybe show you around, and discuss getting you signed up for RCIA classes (which, btw, don’t obligate you to anything. It’s just a path to learn about the Church and help you make the decision one way or another).

I do plan to talk to a priest and join up for RCIA, but I believe I have some time before Fall so I can finish some readings and get the answers I need. Plus, be more knowledgeable about the Church, memorize the creeds and prayers. Also, maybe socialize and make some friends in the Church and find a sponsor.

I know there is a period of inquiry for the first couple of weeks in RCIA, but even before I get to that point I’d like be sure this is what I want and be completely dedicated and sincere.

I also still have to come up with proof for my baptism, which may be impossible. I’d rather just go in as a Catechumate and go through the whole process, but I know the Church does not re-baptize. So I’m kind of stuck. I have no idea if they used the correct wording or not. Also, I’m unsure about the “conditional baptism.”

Again thanks for all of your help everyone.

 

[masondoggy]

I also still have to come up with proof for my baptism, which may be impossible. I’d rather just go in as a Catechumate and go through the whole process, but I know the Church does not re-baptize. So I’m kind of stuck. I have no idea if they used the correct wording or not. Also, I’m unsure about the “conditional baptism.”

Again thanks for all of your help everyone.

Do you know for sure you were Baptized and don’t have proof or are you just not sure whether you were Baptized or not? Either way, it’s a pretty important question to figure out. Your RCIA director will help you wade through it. Don’t sweat it. You won’t be left on your own to produce proof of Baptism, they will help you.

If your not sure, or there’s just no documentation, you will be “conditionally” Baptized which is sort of a “just in case you weren’t Baptized, now you are” sort of thing. But no, there is no such thing as re-Baptizing somebody. And because Baptism is not just simply a symbol, it’s very, very important to go through the hoops the right way. Even if you do receive the conditional Baptism, you would still be received into the Church and receive all the Sacraments together with the rest of the RCIA class. The only difference would be the words the Priest says when you are Baptized. The reason why the Church does it this way is because it has a very big responsibility to make sure that each member is properly Baptized. Baptism makes a permanent mark on your soul and every stone has to be overturned to make sure nobody misses it.

You may feel like it, but you really are not stuck. Continue on your journey and don’t let this worry bog ya down. It’ll work itself out.

ETA this is why I suggested contacting the RCIA director now, instead of waiting until classes start. He/she can help you alleviate some of your worries and fears that your dealing with so you can get past them and move onto the big stuff.

 

[CBS]

Do you know for sure you were Baptized and don’t have proof or are you just not sure whether you were Baptized or not? Either way, it’s a pretty important question to figure out. Your RCIA director will help you wade through it. Don’t sweat it. You won’t be left on your own to produce proof of Baptism, they will help you.

If your not sure, or there’s just no documentation, you will be “conditionally” Baptized which is sort of a “just in case you weren’t Baptized, now you are” sort of thing. But no, there is no such thing as re-Baptizing somebody. And because Baptism is not just simply a symbol, it’s very, very important to go through the hoops the right way. Even if you do receive the conditional Baptism, you would still be received into the Church and receive all the Sacraments together with the rest of the RCIA class. The only difference would be the words the Priest says when you are Baptized. The reason why the Church does it this way is because it has a very big responsibility to make sure that each member is properly Baptized. Baptism makes a permanent mark on your soul and every stone has to be overturned to make sure nobody misses it.

You may feel like it, but you really are not stuck. Continue on your journey and don’t let this worry bog ya down. It’ll work itself out.

ETA this is why I suggested contacting the RCIA director now, instead of waiting until classes start. He/she can help you alleviate some of your worries and fears that your dealing with so you can get past them and move onto the big stuff.

Yes, I’m sure I was baptized, dunked at age 14, but that was 16 years ago, the church has changed hands many times, I’m pretty positive there are no records. I’m also not sure if the words “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” were used or just “In the Name of Jesus Christ.”

Non-Denominational Protestant churches, at least mine, never required or issued “Certificates of Baptism” and transferring to churches was simply word of mouth “Yes, I’ve been baptized.”

I’d rather not have to track down my old Minister and tell him I need a letter so I could convert into a Church he feels is not right. Neither is asking my Mother to confirm my baptism as a witness an option as she is not fond of the Catholic Church either. In either case it puts me in a bad position I’d rather not be in.

You’re right though maybe I should just talk to a Priest and lay all the cards on the table.

Thanks again. I appreciate your answers.

 

[Felicity_in_TX]

CBS,

I just wanted to offer some encouragement to you… For many years (starting when I was about 14) I felt this “pull” to attend Mass. My parents are ultra-Protestant, so I didn’t have much opportunity to go until I was in college. All through college I attended a Catholic church, but never got up the courage to begin RCIA because I didn’t want to upset my parents. Last Summer I moved to Dallas, and found a Parish and begain to attend regularly. One day I was sitting in Mass while everyone else was receiving Eucharist and I suddenly felt this overwhelming desire to receive the Sacrament myself. Up until that point, I’d never really had a problem staying in the pew or just going up to receive a blessing. But that day I knew for sure that the time had come for me to make a commitment to the Church. I scheduled an appointement with the RCIA director the next week, and began classes in August. The Lord’s timing was absolutely perfect! I was Confirmed at the Easter Vigil just a few weeks ago. RCIA was an incredible experience and by far the best decision I’ve ever made.

You definitely should start going to Mass! You may feel a little confused at first, but believe me when I tell you that no one will be paying attention to whether or not you’re “doing it right”. After you go a couple of times, you’ll probably pick up on the order of things and then you’ll start to get more and more benefit from it. One book I recommend is “The How-To Book of the Mass” by Michael Dubriel. It talks you through the whole thing step-by-step, and exaplains the meaning and purpose of just about every single part of the Mass.

You also should defintiely talk to an RCIA director as soon as you feel ready. The period of inquiry is a wonderful time to ask lots of questions, but I found that my first meeting with our director was what really set my mind at ease and helped me realize that I was doing the right thing.

Don’t worry too much about your Baptism certificate - that will work itself out, and your RCIA director will be able to help you through all the requirements. Trust me, they’re used to dealing with all kinds of “red tape” problems - marriages, annulments, etc. Not being able to prove your Baptism is relatively just a minor problem, I promise!

Best of luck to you! If you have any questions about RCIA in general, please feel free to send me a message - it’s very fresh on my mind! God bless!

 

[CBS]

CBS,

I just wanted to offer some encouragement to you… For many years (starting when I was about 14) I felt this “pull” to attend Mass. My parents are ultra-Protestant, so I didn’t have much opportunity to go until I was in college. All through college I attended a Catholic church, but never got up the courage to begin RCIA because I didn’t want to upset my parents. Last Summer I moved to Dallas, and found a Parish and begain to attend regularly. One day I was sitting in Mass while everyone else was receiving Eucharist and I suddenly felt this overwhelming desire to receive the Sacrament myself. Up until that point, I’d never really had a problem staying in the pew or just going up to receive a blessing. But that day I knew for sure that the time had come for me to make a commitment to the Church. I scheduled an appointement with the RCIA director the next week, and began classes in August. The Lord’s timing was absolutely perfect! I was Confirmed at the Easter Vigil just a few weeks ago. RCIA was an incredible experience and by far the best decision I’ve ever made.

You definitely should start going to Mass! You may feel a little confused at first, but believe me when I tell you that no one will be paying attention to whether or not you’re “doing it right”. After you go a couple of times, you’ll probably pick up on the order of things and then you’ll start to get more and more benefit from it. One book I recommend is “The How-To Book of the Mass” by Michael Dubriel. It talks you through the whole thing step-by-step, and exaplains the meaning and purpose of just about every single part of the Mass.

You also should defintiely talk to an RCIA director as soon as you feel ready. The period of inquiry is a wonderful time to ask lots of questions, but I found that my first meeting with our director was what really set my mind at ease and helped me realize that I was doing the right thing.

Don’t worry too much about your Baptism certificate - that will work itself out, and your RCIA director will be able to help you through all the requirements. Trust me, they’re used to dealing with all kinds of “red tape” problems - marriages, annulments, etc. Not being able to prove your Baptism is relatively just a minor problem, I promise!

Best of luck to you! If you have any questions about RCIA in general, please feel free to send me a message - it’s very fresh on my mind! God bless!

Thanks for the response, it brought me comfort.

I’ll pick up that book and add it to my pile. I’ve bought so many Catholic books in the last week.

I start looking at my local Churches for next Sunday.

 

[sarahraegraham]

Just wanted to send you some encouragement! I was in a similar position a little over a year ago, except that I am a revert. My parents were Catholic and I was baptized and had communion, but they never “lived” the faith sotospeak, so I never understood it. I made a profession of Christian faith as an adult and attended Protestant churches for a few years. Then, a little over a year ago, I had not been attending church for a while due to a move my husband and I had to make, and the only church around that fit around my work schedule so that I could go was a Catholic one. I debated it for a few days, but really felt called to go. I thought “how bad could it be?”, and then once I went to mass that first time, that was it. There was scripture and music and reverence… the whole thing made me feel completely different than any other church I’d been to. Over the next weeks I devoured any material on the internet I could find about Catholicism. I mean probably 8 hours a day I was reading and praying about what to do. The more I read it was just like light bulbs in a long hallway going on, one by one by one. Everything I knew about Christianity was right (well most of it), but reading the Catholic teaching just made everything make sense! It was so amazing. And I couldn’t believe it.

Now I have been confirmed, brought my husband back as a revert also, we’ve had our marriage convalidated (recognized by the Church) and we couldn’t be happier.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know you’re not alone in this experience of searching and awe at what the Church has to offer. She really is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. God is so good to us.

 

[THurifer2]

Yes, just about every parish will have daily Mass. I think about the only exceptions are really small parishes that share priests with each other. .

Not to sidetrack…but I must assume you live in an large city. There are entire areas of the U.S.A. that have no daily Mass. Clustering in my state and the midwest for the most part are abotu 1/2 parishes with no daily Mass. Not having a daily mass is widespread and a VERY large number of parishes in the midwest only have one mass per WEEK!

 

[KarenElissa]

Not to sidetrack…but I must assume you live in an large city. There are entire areas of the U.S.A. that have no daily Mass. Clustering in my state and the midwest for the most part are abotu 1/2 parishes with no daily Mass. Not having a daily mass is widespread and a VERY large number of parishes in the midwest only have one mass per WEEK!

Wow, good to know! And ya, I’m in Tucson so a good sized city and a good sized Catholic population.

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks. Do most Churches have a Mass every day? Not just on Saturday night and Sunday morning/night?

Most do. Priests are required to say Mass every day, so even if you are in a remote area, there should be something.

Also, am I permitted to participate in confessional and can I ask to be blessed?

You can ask for a blessing, but wait until you have completed classes on how to go to Confession before attempting that.