Would an unconverted Protestant be welcome

[Saoirse]

I would suggest starting out by asking the priest or an usher to introduce you to someone who can guide you through everything. Feel free to even call ahead and ask, if you’re nervous.

as a non-Catholic who only started attending MASS last year, I feel the need to forwarn you:

the Catholic Church has a lot of tradition, and there are parts where everyone else just seems to know the words that are being said.

also, be prepared for who ever is walking in front of you to go down on their right knee before taking their seat in a pew, as well as before leaving it. it’s called genuflection (I think), and without fair warning, you could (like I did) end up falling over somebody…

also, there is nothing wrong with crossing your arms over your chest and going up to recieve a blessing, though I am now unsure if every Parish does this… all the ones I’ve been to do, but that amounts to no more than four, two of which have the same priest as pastor.

also, as a Protestant, I am not sure which you are used to, but I as a UU was used to a small community were any new person was swarmed and greeted with great enthusiasm by all of the regulars.

The Catholic Church seems to be a little less enthusiastic, so don’t feel put out if hordes of people don’t introduce themselves to you immediately. Just introduce yourself to them and don’t be shy, or hope that whoever you decide to go with, if anyone, will make some introductions.

Saoirse

 

[blackrobe]

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).

Sad to say, depending on where one attends, the Mass may bear little resemblance to the normative Order.

JSA

 

[puzzleannie]

re thread title, you are not unconverted, you are a believing Christian already striving for conformity with Christ, who has been led by movement of the Holy Spirit to explore even closer union with Him through the Catholic Church.

a convert is someone who changes from an unbeliever to a believer and follower, which you already are. True, all of us are in a process of contintuing conversion and purification from our unvirtuous habits of life, but Christians have already experienced initial conversion.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I converted from dutch calvinism almost four years ago. If you remeber the Nicean creed (my church used that at itmes when I was growing up and we were taught it in catechism), good, that is what we use on sunday, on weekdays its the good ole Apostles creed. Depending on your strain of Protestant faith you may know them already like I did. Many of the songs sung in my RCC were familier to me with some word changes. (Actually I drive wife nuts when I don’t pick up the song book but sing from memory.)

 

[Kanda]

I would say on the note regarding how there is a lot of tradition and people just seem to know what to say and when…

Don’t worry about it. Jesus knows what is in your heart. If you don’t know all of the words, no one is going to think anything of it. I was baptized into the Catholic faith last Easter and I go to mass every Sunday and sometimes during the week. There are still parts of the mass where I just keep my mouth shut because my faulty memory can’t remember all of the correct words.

Also, you are most definitly welcome. At my particular parish, our mission statement begins: “All are Welcome”

 

[prv]

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.

One could also get a group of people together to have a Q & A session with the clergy, depending on the clergy’s schedule.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I can only echo what the other members here have said and you would be very welcome. That is, after all, how I became a Catholic when I converted at 15. I started by going to Mass and fell in love with the liturgy, the Church and most of all our Lord Jesus Christ. The Mass is a rich experience to savor to its fullest. God Bless you…

:heart:Blyss

 

[Detroit_Sue]

After 20 years away from the Church, I was very apprehensive about attending Mass. I sat near the back, where I could just follow along with the standing, sitting, & kneeling, and I used the Missalette (a paperback guide found in most parishes with the readings and prayers). In the front of the Misalette, is the Order of the Mass, which is helpful.

You might also ask the ushers if it’s customary to receive a blessing from the priest if you aren’t a Catholic during Communion. In that case, you would enter the Communion line, but with your arms crossed over your chest (which is the universal sign for asking for a blessing).

Keep us tuned in as to your experience! Enjoy!