Went to my first Easter mass today

[jalamb86]

And only my second mass in 28 years of living. How beautiful! I was raised southern baptist, and I’m kind of amazed at all I’ve missed. One question though, and I suppose I could have asked my friend’s fiance, whom we went with because she is Catholic–when people first enter and kneel in the pew, they bow and after several moments make the sign of the cross. I assume they’re praying…is it some specific prayer that is supposed to be said before mass or are they just praying whatever’s on their mind?

 

[oldgraymare2]

Welcome to the forum!

She was probably just praying something in private.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I am so glad that you enjoyed your first Easter Mass!

To my knowledge, there aren’t any specific prayers that one prays prior to Mass. Most people just pray any prayer or prayers that they desire.

 

[ServusHumilis]

There’s no specific prayers before Mass though one may certainly pray that the Sacrifice be good or for whatever intentions they have. Some also pray after Mass as it’s an opportunity to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in reserve in the tabernacle (which is Jesus in body, blood, soul, and divinity - the reason we genuflect and kneel). Mass is a time to pray, not socialize, which unfortunately happens along with the rush to the door by others in some parishes at the end of Mass rather than the silence and prayer seen in others.

 

[retire_early]

Welcome!

Hope you find the opportunity to attend Holy Mass as often as you can. When people come to pray in a Catholic church, they will “genuflect” (kneel on one knee) before entering the pew. That is giving honor and adoration to the Real Presence of Jesus (in the tabernacle, which is usually on or near the altar). They will then usually kneel in the pew and say a short prayer before the Mass starts. Here is a beautiful little prayer that I found on another website that is an example of something someone would pray at that time:
Prayer upon Entering a Church
I adore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, here, and in all Tabernacles of the world, and I praise Thee, because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world."

marysproject.com/_mgxroot/page_10863.html
Its also a time that people collect their thoughts and speak to Jesus from their hearts, reflecting on special intentions for their prayers at that Mass.

 

[Rolltide]

And only my second mass in 28 years of living. How beautiful! I was raised southern baptist, and I’m kind of amazed at all I’ve missed. One question though, and I suppose I could have asked my friend’s fiance, whom we went with because she is Catholic–when people first enter and kneel in the pew, they bow and after several moments make the sign of the cross. I assume they’re praying…is it some specific prayer that is supposed to be said before mass or are they just praying whatever’s on their mind?

I think you’re referring to genuflecting before entering the pew. Genuflecting is a form of kneeling in extreme reverence, like one would to a king. In the Catholic tradition, we genuflect in reverence to the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Catholics (and the Orthodox), unlike Protestants, believe in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine of Communion truly become the ACTUAL Body and Blood of Christ. Since there will usually be some of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle behind the altar, we genuflect because we are in the actual bodily presence of Jesus Christ, made manifest in physical form.

 

[JRKH]

And only my second mass in 28 years of living. How beautiful! I was raised southern baptist, and I’m kind of amazed at all I’ve missed. One question though, and I suppose I could have asked my friend’s fiance, whom we went with because she is Catholic–when people first enter and kneel in the pew, they bow and after several moments make the sign of the cross. I assume they’re praying…is it some specific prayer that is supposed to be said before mass or are they just praying whatever’s on their mind?

Welcome.

As others have said there is no specific prayer that must be said before mass, however there are a number of prayers specifically designed to be prayed before mass. They may have been praying one of these.
Or they may have just been quietly meditating and bringing themselves into God’s presence mentally - preparing for the great feast that is the mass.

Peace
James

 

[therese14]

Yes, easter mass is very beautiful. Jesus is. Happy easter.

 

[jalamb86]

I think you’re referring to genuflecting before entering the pew. Genuflecting is a form of kneeling in extreme reverence, like one would to a king. In the Catholic tradition, we genuflect in reverence to the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Catholics (and the Orthodox), unlike Protestants, believe in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine of Communion truly become the ACTUAL Body and Blood of Christ. Since there will usually be some of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle behind the altar, we genuflect because we are in the actual bodily presence of Jesus Christ, made manifest in physical form.

Hey maybe you were there, we have the same location

 

[InNomineDomini]

I assume they’re praying…is it some specific prayer that is supposed to be said before mass or are they just praying whatever’s on their mind?

Kneeling itself can be a form of prayer, and I’m sure there are lots of folks who simply engage in kneeling as an expression of their desire to adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

Others may pray for personal intentions in their own words, or using popular prayers like the Our Father or* Haily Mary *or Glory Be.

Some may be praying using prayers like these: preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/AnteMissam.html

The essence of all of this, however, is just to open our hearts to the miracle we are about to witness and to receive, and to thank God for the profound humility and love He shows to us.

 

[SJG1759]

Welcome, jalamb86!

St Thomas Aquinas wrote a lovely prayer that I like to say before Mass: ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/bmass.htm

However, saying this prayer is not a requirement; people can say whichever prayers they wish, or simply be quiet and let God speak.