Want to go to mass for the first time--advice?

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I’m eighteen, and I grew up with a casual, garden-variety non-denominational Christian background (and have never been formally baptised), and then I identified as agnostic for a while, but for several years, I’ve been drawn back to Catholicism again and again–the problem was that I was a minor, and my mother is not the Church’s biggest fan.

Now that I’m an adult, I want to go to a Mass for the first time, and of course I have tons of questions, and no Catholic friends/family in the area to help.

What are the pros and cons to a morning, weekday Mass versus an evening Saturday Mass? (Sundays are out of the question for me because I volunteer at a nursing home that day–it’s Christian-run, and so all of the employees want to be at church, too!)

I saw some people advising others to call the church and talk to RCIA people before going for the first time, or at least the priest, but I saw others who advocated introducing yourself after the Mass to the priest, and then checking out RCIA. Opinions?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
 
I’m hoping I can help you in this wonderful transition. I was raised Baptist, was a worship leader at a non-denominational church, and then converted to Catholicism about 2 years ago. Before my conversion, I had no idea what happened in a Mass. My best advise to you is to watch what everyone else is doing during Mass. You can fully participate in the Mass except for receiving the Eucharist.

You will notice quite a difference from a Protestant church. Here is a basic outline for the order of a Mass. Note that this will change slightly depending on the year and the season (Lent, Advent, etc).
  • Introductory Rites
    . + Entrance (All stand)
    . + Greeting
    . + Act of Penitence
    . + Kyrie Eleison (Latin for “Lord have mercy”)
    . + Gloria
    . + Opening Prayer
  • Liturgy of the Word
    . + First Reading - usually from the Old Testament (All sit)
    . + Responsorial Psalm
    . + Second Reading - usually from a New Testament Epistle
    . + Gospel Reading (All stand)
    . + Homily (All sit for the sermon)
    . + Profession of Faith (the Nicene Creed) (All stand)
    . + Prayer of the Faithful (prayers of petition)
  • Liturgy of the Eucharist
    . + The Preparation of the Gifts - the bread and wine are brought forward and placed on the altar, our monetary offerings are also collected at this time (All sit)
    . + The Prayer over the Offerings (All stand)
    . + The Eucharistic Prayer - during this prayer the bread and wine change into the Body and Blood of Christ (Catholics kneel, visitors may kneel or sit)
    . + The Lord’s Prayer (All stand)
    . + The Rite of Peace (We offer each other a sign of peace)
    . + The Breaking of the Bread
    . + Communion - non-Catholics are requested out of respect not to receive Communion, they may approach the altar with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing (Stand or kneel according to local custom)
  • The Concluding Rites
    . + Announcements (All sit)
    . + Blessing (All stand)
    . + Dismissal
    . + Procession
If you go to a Mass on a weekday, they are generally shorter than a weekend Mass. There are parts of the Mass that are only observed on Sundays. At my parish, the Saturday Mass is the same as the Sunday Mass.

I am more than happy to answer any questions that you may have! Welcome home!🙂
 
At a weekday mass there will only be two readings instead of three, some prayers will be left out, and very likely the homily (sermon) will be shorter or possibly not given at all. Also most likely there will be minimal music, since most church choirs, organists, etc. don’t perform at weekday masses. Saturday evening masses are just Sunday masses held the evening (or sometimes afternoon) of previous day. I’d recommend going Saturday evening to get a more complete experience of the Mass.
 
Going to mass is something I think everyone should do before going to RCIA and while they are going to RCIA classes.

It’s truly beautiful and one should not deny themselves of the mass just because you are not confirmed Catholic yet.

Catholics are required to attend a mass on either Saturday or Sunday every week, Sunday is prefered. Week day masses are optional, but much encouraged if you can make it.

When I converted I only went to weekend masses because I figured I would stick out less because I didn’t know all of the prayers and customs yet at that time. Daily mass typically has very few people in attendance and it is normally done in the chapel or day chapel of the church. Most daily masses have less than 20 people, in my experience.

A few tips:

Pick up the missal in the pew and find the date for the mass you are at. you can then follow the mass that way.

Take a look here for a rundown of the order of mass:

catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

Don’t worry about memorizing it yet, it will be changing in November anyway. It’s OK to bring a printed copy with you so that you can follow along.

Tip #1- When you enter the church, there will be holy water availible someplace near th entrance. Dip a finger of the the right hand in it and make the sign of the cross: forehead,chest,left shoulder, right shoulder. This is self blessing or prayer. (Not required, but incase you see others doing it)

Tip #2- Genuflect- When getting to the pew that you plan to sit in, bend down so that your right knee touches the ground then stand back up and sit in the pew. This is an act of respect for the tabernacle which holds the eucharist (the body/bread). (nobody will look at you weird if you forget, but it’s customary).

Tip #3- Do not take part in the Eucharist. This isn’t meant to single you out or exlude you. We as Catholics just want everyone who takes part in recieving Jesus, knows and believes the Catholic faith. I looked at it as a carrot to work toward. I wanted nothing more than to be part of the Eucharist, but understood the meaning of it to Catholics and that if I (as an unconfirmed self identifying Catholic) took part it would be rude. Expecting to gain something that others had to work for (Confirmation) without doing the work and study seemed wrong to me. It also happens to be Church teaching. Still, the Eucharist is a great thing to observe and a constant reminder of the ultimate goal of RCIA.

I would start looking into RCIA ASAP since most classes have already started. They may be able to get you in still if you hurry.

These are just things that will help you feel more like a Catholic and be doing what Catholics do.
 
Stretch. Nothing like a cramp during the readings. 😛
You’ll be getting up and down ALOT.

All jokes aside, everyone else pretty much covered it.

I would say maybe watching a daily Mass which they televise on EWTN tv channel. Just watching this will give you a good idea of when to do what. 👍
 
First of all, welcome! It is for very good reason that you have been drawn to the faith. As to the mass, it is broadcast on a Catholic cable channel known as EWTN, and you can watch a mass before actually going. As well, there are numerous videos of the mass on YouTube. I also encourage you to obtain a copy of the book Catholicism for Dummies. It is an excellent resource which will explain, in everyday language, the main beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church, including the mass. You might also call your local parish office and explain your situation to them. I am sure that someone would be happy to meet you at a Saturday mass and attend with you. They also have other resources in their religious education program that would help to explain the mass.

The mass contains two main parts: the liturgy of the Word, and the liturgy of the Eucharist. The liturgy of the Word is just that: readings from holy scripture and a homily (sermon) based upon the Gospel message. The liturgy of the Eucharist concerns Holy Communion, and is the high point of the mass.

This second part of the mass is different from all other Church services that you have attended. Rather than a “service”, it is a sacrifice. But, not just any sacrifice - and not a new or continuing sacrifice - but rather one and the same sacrifice of our Lord Jesus at Calvary. Through the power of God via the Holy Spirit, the sacrifice at Calvary is made present to us in the here and now. We are in the upper room; we are at the foot of the cross at Calvary; we are at the empty tomb. It is supernatural. Not a re-sacrifice, or a continuing sacrifice, as some claim, but the very same sacrifice that we have read in the bible.

Holy Communion is reserved for those attendees who are in full communion with the Catholic Church, and who have been absolved of serious sin. Saint Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 11:20-34. Not all who attend receive communion, so you will not be the only one who refrains. Some who refrain simply need to be absolved of sin before they receive communion. Others, like yourself, may also not be Catholic.

The reason for a restrictive communion is that, once consecrated, the bread and wine are no longer what they appear to be. Their substance has changed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. This has occurred through the action of the Holy Spirit, and by the authority of the Church that Jesus Christ founded, and so receiving communion indicates that you have received instruction in the faith, have been initiated in the faith and have been absolved from serious sin. These are the main points, although there are a couple of others.

This is a difficult part of the mass for many non-Catholics, as it may make them feel excluded. However, this is not just a service, and Holy Communion is not just a memorial meal of a morsel of bread and a sip of wine or juice. It is our Lord made present to us, and we must be properly disposed to receive Him.

As has been pointed out, the basic rule is to sit and stand with the others. If others are kneeling, you may simply sit, and you may very well see some doing this. May the Lord bless you on your journey.
 
crphoenix said:
What are the pros and cons to a morning, weekday Mass versus an evening Saturday Mass? (Sundays are out of the question for me because I volunteer at a nursing home that day–it’s Christian-run, and so all of the employees want to be at church, too!)
Click to expand...
Really, this is just going to depend on your personality and what you feel comfortable with. Personally I went to a Saturday evening Mass for the first time because I wanted there to be lots of people so I could just blend in and not feel like I was sticking out.

Other people would prefer to be noticed and greeted and welcomed. That is more likely to happen at a daily Mass as there will be fewer people, most of whom are regulars, so they are more likely to notice newcomers.
I saw some people advising others to call the church and talk to RCIA people before going for the first time, or at least the priest, but I saw others who advocated introducing yourself after the Mass to the priest, and then checking out RCIA. Opinions?
Click to expand...
Again, this will just depend on your personality. When I started going to mass it was just out of curiosity and then I couldn’t stop. 😃 I went to Mass for months before I asked about RCIA or talked to anyone. If you would like someone to sit with and to help explain things to you, calling and asking about RCIA is a good way to find that. The RCIA people are used to newcomers and would be glad to help you out or to find someone who could. So just go with which ever you think would make you the most comfortable! 👍
 
mcrow said:
Tip #1- When you enter the church, there will be holy water availible someplace near th entrance. Dip a finger of the the right hand in it and make the sign of the cross: forehead,chest,left shoulder, right shoulder. This is self blessing or prayer. (Not required, but incase you see others doing it)
Click to expand...
The primary meaning of this gesture is to remind the person of his or her baptism. While I’m not aware of any rule actually forbidding a non-baptized person from doing it, it might make the most sense to wait until one has been baptized before doing it.
 
crphoenix said:
I’m eighteen, and I grew up with a casual, garden-variety non-denominational Christian background (and have never been formally baptised), and then I identified as agnostic for a while, but for several years, I’ve been drawn back to Catholicism again and again–the problem was that I was a minor, and my mother is not the Church’s biggest fan.

Now that I’m an adult, I want to go to a Mass for the first time, and of course I have tons of questions, and no Catholic friends/family in the area to help.

What are the pros and cons to a morning, weekday Mass versus an evening Saturday Mass? (Sundays are out of the question for me because I volunteer at a nursing home that day–it’s Christian-run, and so all of the employees want to be at church, too!)

I saw some people advising others to call the church and talk to RCIA people before going for the first time, or at least the priest, but I saw others who advocated introducing yourself after the Mass to the priest, and then checking out RCIA. Opinions?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Click to expand...
Jump into the pool as you learn how to swim. Take the last seat. do what others do when getting up and kneeling.
Slowly you will learn.
As for RCIA, I am not american and I do not even know what it stand for. Indirect way to ask, please, someone to clarify to me. Thanks.
 
Pfaffenhoffen said:
Jump into the pool as you learn how to swim. Take the last seat. do what others do when getting up and kneeling.
Slowly you will learn.
As for RCIA, I am not american and I do not even know what it stand for. Indirect way to ask, please, someone to clarify to me. Thanks.
Click to expand...
RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is adult catechesis.
 
Aelred_Minor said:
The primary meaning of this gesture is to remind the person of his or her baptism. While I’m not aware of any rule actually forbidding a non-baptized person from doing it, it might make the most sense to wait until one has been baptized before doing it.
Click to expand...
Actually there is not teaching on that as far as I know, it’s all personal interpretation from what I’ve been told. It’s perfectly OK for anyone, baptized or not, to bless themselves via the sign of the cross with holy water.
 
Thanks to everybody for your thoughts and advice.

Since I’ve already been watching Mass each morning on TV, I think I’m about ready to jump in, so I’ve decided to go this Saturday evening.

I’ll let you all know how it goes, and thank you again!
 
Get in contact with your local parish priest, send an email or call and set up a meeting. Go from there. 🙂
 
crphoenix said:
Thanks to everybody for your thoughts and advice.

Since I’ve already been watching Mass each morning on TV, I think I’m about ready to jump in, so I’ve decided to go this Saturday evening.

I’ll let you all know how it goes, and thank you again!
Click to expand...
That’s great. Good luck & God bless you!
 
For a coming back to the Church, I think it might be helpful to take an RICA class and attend Mass weekly with your new companions who will hopefully become friends you share in the Church.

Certainly you can go on your own without doing so, but I think there is comfort in knowing someone is showing you the proper actions and responses.

Also, don’t be nervous. I love Mass, you will too. 🙂
 
If Saturday evening Mass is the only time you can make it, don’t sweat it. Here in Iowa were there could be 3 or 4 Parishes in a cluster overseen by one Priest, one Parish in the cluster may only have one weekend Mass and that’s Saturday.
 
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