Went to my first mass

[Lenten_ashes]

I went to my first ever Mass today, and I think I love it.

A friend of mine who knows I’ve been considering leaving protestantism offered to go with me (ironically he’s a uber liberal Anglican, but that’s neither here nor there) because he knows it can be weird going alone for the first time. I took that as a sign that I should finally go and visit and we went.

I really liked it. The readings, the call and responses, the hymns (I love a good hymn) all of it. Also, the building was packed! it was a very small “cathedral” but there were people standing at the back because it was so full. There were all ages as well, including a lot of people my age (early 20s) which surprised me.

There was a bulletin to help us know what to do, and on it were all of these opportunities to help the homeless, groups to care for people who are suffering from an abortion, the pastor even mentioned prayers for the pursecuted on the middle east and for peace in the face of terrorism. I’ve never been in a church that didn’t just talk about these sorts of things, but actively promoted the congregations involvement.

I had a sense of peace from the moment I walked in till the moment I left. The whole atmosphere was calming, reverent, and I found my often skeptical mind relaxing. People really seemed to want to be there, I felt more sincere devotion there than in most of my years in the protestant church. (Also, the stained glass and arched ceilings are beautiful.)

My only complaint is the kneeling benches; those things are not comfortable to kneel on for an extended period of time. But that’s hardly something to gripe about.

I’m not sure if I’ll become a Catholic, but I think I’ll be going back next Sunday.

You will be Catholic very soon lol.

In all seriousness the Mass and the beatiful heavenly artwork arrests us, leading us closer to the Church. Everything has meaning from the procession to the very end. Explore it and you will be amazed at what a gem the Mass truly is.

 

[mjhudson]

I’m not trying to rush you but the RCIA process opens the floor to questions. About anything. The entire point of the process is to answer every question you might have. The Church wants potential converts to fully understand what she teaches.

Either way, I hope you find what you’re looking for.

Thank you. I’m seriously considering inquiring about RCIA. They keep mentioning it at mass, and this morning they said they had a large number of people signed up. I’m probably going to at least send them an e-mail asking for details.

You will be Catholic very soon lol.

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right, I’ve been to three masses now and I see no reason to stop going.

 

[Adonia]

Glad you had a good experience. As for the kneelers, while kneeling can be uncomfortable they show respect to God and are nothing compared to what Our Lord suffered on that fateful day. We Catholics have other devotions you might like and one of my favorites is attending the Stations of the Cross where we pray and call to mind the events of the Crucifixion.

 

[Horton]

Thank you. I’m seriously considering inquiring about RCIA. They keep mentioning it at mass, and this morning they said they had a large number of people signed up. I’m probably going to at least send them an e-mail asking for details.

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right, I’ve been to three masses now and I see no reason to stop going.

Here is the deal with RCIA. You can start and then quit at any point up to the Easter Vigil with no pressure or questions. Everyone is on a journey and that journey is individual. I went to Mass for a long time, not weekly, but often before I committed to RCIA. Even after starting RCIA I left myself an out until about midway through.

So you can start RCIA and if you are still unsure you can wait. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to. And generally a lot of questions get answered there.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

Thank you. I’m seriously considering inquiring about RCIA. They keep mentioning it at mass, and this morning they said they had a large number of people signed up. I’m probably going to at least send them an e-mail asking for details.

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right, I’ve been to three masses now and I see no reason to stop going.

RCIA is a great experience. You meet and fellowship with many devout Catholicsl (Usually they provide a nice lunch as well.) questions are encouraged there and theres no pressure to convert.

God bless

 

[mjhudson]

Glad you had a good experience. As for the kneelers, while kneeling can be uncomfortable they show respect to God and are nothing compared to what Our Lord suffered on that fateful day. We Catholics have other devotions you might like and one of my favorites is attending the Stations of the Cross where we pray and call to mind the events of the Crucifixion.

It seems calling to mind the events of the crucifixion and Christ’s life is very common in Catholic spirituality. It makes a ton of sense, and I’m surprised that it’s not more common in protestant denominations.

Here is the deal with RCIA. You can start and then quit at any point up to the Easter Vigil with no pressure or questions. Everyone is on a journey and that journey is individual. I went to Mass for a long time, not weekly, but often before I committed to RCIA. Even after starting RCIA I left myself an out until about midway through.

So you can start RCIA and if you are still unsure you can wait. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to. And generally a lot of questions get answered there.

That’s what I’m starting to understand. I initially thought it was a long, complicated conversion process that you committed to beforehand, not a place to ask questions and learn.

RCIA is a great experience. You meet and fellowship with many devout Catholicsl (Usually they provide a nice lunch as well.) questions are encouraged there and theres no pressure to convert.

God bless

That’s great to hear. It would be good to be able to talk to some Catholics; I don’t know a single one, and it’s rather isolating to be surrounded by protestants and not being able to talk with anyone about it.

 

[Adonia]

It seems calling to mind the events of the crucifixion and Christ’s life is very common in Catholic spirituality. It makes a ton of sense, and I’m surprised that it’s not more common in protestant denominations.

And then we have the Rosary, which gets a lot of bad press amongst many Protestants. It is another superb spiritual exercise where we meditate on all the most important moments in Christ’s life. Out of 20 mysteries, only three really deal with Mother Mary, the rest are all about Christ and the things that happened to him during his life. During the prayer, one can place themselves right there with Christ - in the Garden of Gethsemane for example - praying with him as he prays to the Father. It can truly be eye opening.

 

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

Your knees will toughen up after a while.

No, they won’t. I have arthritis in both knees and can only do the “cheater’s” kneel which is when your rump rests on the pew behind you.

 

[mjhudson]

And then we have the Rosary, which gets a lot of bad press amongst many Protestants. It is another superb spiritual exercise where we meditate on all the most important moments in Christ’s life. Out of 20 mysteries, only three really deal with Mother Mary, the rest are all about Christ and the things that happened to him during his life. During the prayer, one can place themselves right there with Christ - in the Garden of Gethsemane for example - praying with him as he prays to the Father. It can truly be eye opening.

I find the Rosary interesting, especially how popular it became. It must have some benefit to be so popular for so long. I look forward to learning more about it.

No, they won’t. I have arthritis in both knees and can only do the “cheater’s” kneel which is when your rump rests on the pew behind you.

A+ for honesty

 

[Adonia]

I find the Rosary interesting, especially how popular it became. It must have some benefit to be so popular for so long. I look forward to learning more about it.

A+ for honesty

Well, I wish you nothing but good as you continue on your journey. My wife converted almost 15 years ago now and she just loves the great spiritual blessings she finds at Mass, plus the other liturgical times of the year such as Lent and of course Easter. It’s God first, then each other, and then the rest of the family.

 

[Adonia]

No, they won’t. I have arthritis in both knees and can only do the “cheater’s” kneel which is when your rump rests on the pew behind you.

We went to Mass at a retirement home for religious and everyone one stood when kneeling was required. Plus, the pews were at an angle instead of straight on and I found both of these things interesting to say the least.

 

[YADA]

Here is the deal with RCIA. You can start and then quit at any point up to the Easter Vigil with no pressure or questions. Everyone is on a journey and that journey is individual. I went to Mass for a long time, not weekly, but often before I committed to RCIA. Even after starting RCIA I left myself an out until about midway through.

So you can start RCIA and if you are still unsure you can wait. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to. And generally a lot of questions get answered there.

Greetings - welcome to Catholic Answers Forums - Many Blessings on your explorations of faith. I will be praying for you@

Actually - You can stay in RCIA until you are ready to commit or not - you can go all the way to the Easter Vigil and still come into the Church at that Easter Vigil … We had a gentleman one year - he just wasn’t ready at the Easter Vigil … he continued with RCIA … the next year - he still wasn’t ready to commit … the third year he said to me … maybe I am on the five year plan … He began to attend Mass daily [no he does not partake of the Eucharist] but has never become a Catholic. His son had come through out RCIA program several years before and became a Catholic … His son later gave up his cooperate career and became a Priest - and was in seminary when his father was exploring the faith …

We walk a journey, but when you come into the Church - the Church wants you to make an informed and voluntary choice … you profess your faith in Christ and His Church …You declare before God and the Church community of Believers:

“I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.”

So take all the time you need - one RCIA year - or longer … and don’t rush into joining RCIA - you will know if and when God is calling you … it sounds like He may be calling you - but listen for God’s call