Would an unconverted Protestant be welcome

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JohnnyReb

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at a Catholic Mass? I’ve never been to one in my life, but other members of my family have. I want to see what one is like. The only Catholics I know live out of state (relatives…I have Methodists, Catholics, Baptists and Pentecostals, as well as a Wiccan in my family) Would it be a good idea to go alone? If so, what are some things I would need to know in advance? Thanks alot.
 
OF COURSE!!! 👍

Seeing as we do try to maintain a healthy relationship with out protestant kin, you would be very welcome at mass provided you don’t wave the fact that you’re a protestant around at people or attempt to convert others…

People not in the catholic communion however, are not allowed to take part in eucharist.
 
You are certainly welcomed in any Catholic church. One important part that you will not be able to do is to receive Communion.

During the Communion, if you want to be blessed, you can get in the line and walk up to the priest, just have your two hands crossed your chest. If you decide not to do so, you can either kneel down or sit up to pray.

The more you attend Catholic mass, the more you’d like it. 🙂
 
Yes, of course you would be most welcome.

Go alone or with a friend. Either way, I wouldn’t get too caught up in the how-when-where-what details ahead of time. Just go, observe, absorb, enjoy…and come back here and ask all of your questions!🙂

You can always use www.MassTimes.org to find a Mass anywhere.
 
Absolutely! (like everyone else in the thread has already said)

I think it might be a good idea to go with a friend who is familiar with the mass if you have any questions but then again you could probably ask them here if you were curious about something. God BLess
 
So you’ll have some idea of what takes place at Mass here is The Order of the Mass. The sprinkling of holy water isn’t done at all Sunday Masses, but it may be done Jan 7 because we will be celebrating Epiphany (the visitation of the Wise Men).

Each part of the Mass is meant to draw us deeper and deeper into worship and prepare us for meeting Jesus in the Eucharist. You will not be able to receive the Eucharist, though because you are not in union with the Catholic Church. But, you can pray to be united with the Eucharist in a spiritual way and/or go up and receive a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest.

God bless your first time at Mass, and may it bring you closer to Christ. 👍
 
JohnnyReb said:
at a Catholic Mass? I’ve never been to one in my life, but other members of my family have. I want to see what one is like. The only Catholics I know live out of state (relatives…I have Methodists, Catholics, Baptists and Pentecostals, as well as a Wiccan in my family) Would it be a good idea to go alone? If so, what are some things I would need to know in advance? Thanks alot.
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One minor point to know about. What we call the OF, or “Our Father”; is known by most Protestants as The Lord’s Prayer. Fine, just remember that we stop at “and deliver us from evil. Amen.”🙂
 
My wife, baby and I have been going to Mass for the last year. None of us are Catholic (yet) but people are very nice to us. (Probably because my baby girl is soo cute!) :love:

The only big deal is don’t take communion. Catholics take 1 Cor 11:27-32 very literaly. You might also watch Mass on TV just to get the hang of it. Remember too that the Lords prayer ends at “deliver us from evil.”

You might want to call ahead. My parish has a program where the non-Catholics get priority seating and a tour guide. It’s nice because then you don’t have to worry so much about stepping on toes.
 
of course you are welcome, and at communion time, welcome to join with all Christian believers in celebrating Christ’s saving action and praying for the unity which he ordained for us, even though you cannot, because of the sad disunity among Christians, receive yet.

you can go alone or with someone, you can sit, stand, kneel or shake hands as you see others doing, or not, as you prefer. There will probably be a booklet called a missalette (mini-missal) to follow along, just glance at your neighbor to see what page we are on. songs will be from the back of the book, or a hymnal, and many you probably already know.

You will probably leave with a lot of questions, How To Book of the Mass from Our Sunday Visitor, or Catholicism for Dummies both available on amazon.com or in bookstores, will answer a lot of those questions. The first is especially book for the scriptural basis for everything said and done during Mass.
 
Andruschak said:
One minor point to know about. What we call the OF, or “Our Father”; is known by most Protestants as The Lord’s Prayer. Fine, just remember that we stop at “and deliver us from evil. Amen.”🙂
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not quite, during Mass we stop there, no amen, the priest completes the prayer, then we recite the doxology together–the kingdom the power and the glory are yours forever–then the great Amen, which may be said or sung, which ends the Eucharistic prayer (longest part of the Mass, begins with the Sanctus or Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty, also spoken or sung).
 
JohnnyReb said:
at a Catholic Mass? I’ve never been to one in my life, but other members of my family have. I want to see what one is like. The only Catholics I know live out of state (relatives…I have Methodists, Catholics, Baptists and Pentecostals, as well as a Wiccan in my family) Would it be a good idea to go alone? If so, what are some things I would need to know in advance? Thanks alot.
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Of course you would be welcome, if this were the first century you would be viewed with suspicion. I would suggest going with someone who can explain what is going on and answer question after. If you do not know anyone. Go and ask an usher to maybe find someone who can help you along. If an usher were to come to me and say this is a visitor can you sit with them and explain what is going on during the Mass. I’d say sure!
 
Thanks for the replies. I will have to mark my calender. Recently I have began to study the Catholic faith, to know more of what it really is about. I am surprised how much it really follows the Bible and how many of the believes that Protestants reject can be back using the Bible.
 
JohnnyReb said:
Thanks for the replies. I will have to mark my calender. Recently I have began to study the Catholic faith, to know more of what it really is about. I am surprised how much it really follows the Bible and how many of the believes that Protestants reject can be back using the Bible.
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HI Johnny,

I am glad that you have begun to study the Catholic faith. Keep your mind open and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through your studying. There are many brothers/sisters who were Protestants and now devout Catholics. The truth is there for you to explore.

I was wondering if any your relatives has the book “Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth”- it is only 32 pages but contains all the core beliefs of Catholic. You may also find the book at Catholic church or this website’s online store: ($1/book)

shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CB021.html?E+scstore

You can also find more information about Catholic faith at the homepage of catholic.com/ They are all in the “LIBRARY” section located on the left of the web page.

God bless you and I keep you in my prayer.
 
JohnnyReb said:
at a Catholic Mass? I’ve never been to one in my life, but other members of my family have. I want to see what one is like. The only Catholics I know live out of state (relatives…I have Methodists, Catholics, Baptists and Pentecostals, as well as a Wiccan in my family) Would it be a good idea to go alone? If so, what are some things I would need to know in advance? Thanks alot.
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Sure. We don’t ask at the door. HOWEVER, only Catholics are permitted to recieve communion. So, when the people in your pew stand up to recieve communion, step to the side at the end of the aisle and let the others go in front of you. Then return to your seat.

Also, pay close attention, and go more than once. A lot happens in the Mass, so it takes some time to follow what’s going on.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
Of course you would be welcome, if this were the first century you would be viewed with suspicion. I would suggest going with someone who can explain what is going on and answer question after. If you do not know anyone. Go and ask an usher to maybe find someone who can help you along. If an usher were to come to me and say this is a visitor can you sit with them and explain what is going on during the Mass. I’d say sure!
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Thanks, sounds like a good idea. LOL if this was still the first century, I would hope I would already be part of the church because “we” did not break off until well after the medievil period.

Water: Thanks for the links
 
I don’t think anyone else addressed this, so you should probably know the deal with the kneeling.

We kneel because we believe that Jesus Christ Himself is present at the altar at certain times in the Mass. If you are comfortable with that belief, than by all means kneel. If you’re unsure and don’t quite feel comfortable kneeling at this point, there’s no shame as a non-Catholic to remain seated during the parts of Mass where we kneel.

Good luck with your journey 🙂
 
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