What are the traditions/procedures at a Catholic Mass?

Question

I don't understand the motions Catholics go through during mass. They enter and do the sign of the cross with the holy water... etc. What do they say when receiving communion? Kneeling before sitting in the pew? It's fascinating and I want to learn more.

Answer 1

There are different rites of Mass, the most commonly used today is called the Novus Orda, here is a short explination of some things in that rite of Mass (assuming an ordinary Sunday Mass):

-When walking in, people take some holy water and make the Sign of the Cross and bow befor the altar. This is done as a sign of respect towards God. The sign of the Cross is done by placing the thumb and two closest fingers together to symbolize the Trinity. The other 2 fingers are placed down against the palm to symbolize the 2 natures of Christ (divine and human). The Cross is almost always made with the right hand, even by those who are left-handed.

-Before taking a seat (those who are physically able to) touch one knee to the ground before getting into their pew. This is, again, to show respect to God. In the Novus Orda (except for Good Friday), Jesus is present in a consecrated Host in a tabernacle at all times. Thus, they are literally, actually, and in a real way showing respect to God.

-Mass is broken down into two parts: Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist. During the Liturgy of the Word, the Bible is read. People stand during the Gospels to show respect for the Word of God. They sit during other parts; both to be receptive to the message and because of physical limitations that would make it hard for some to stand.

-During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the faithfull kneel during the consecration. This is to kneel at the foot of the Cross and to adore Jesus who is now pressent. It is a way of welcoming the "king of all". The faithfull also kneel in most parishes after the Holy, Holy...again, as a sign of adoration and respect. During the Holy, Holy, the Our Father, and the most importaint prayers the faithfull are typically standing, as a sign of respect. In the case of the Holy, Holy we stand to represent the Angels. In the case of the Our Father, we stand because we are children of God, adopted through the Death of Jesus on the Cross. We stand as sons and daughters of God, as inheritors of eternal life.

-Before recieving Communion the faithfull say the Latin word "Amen". It roughly translated means "very truely indeed," "I stake my life on it." In the context of the celibration it is a solemn oath swearing the the person recieving communion belives everything the Church Teaches -- even what the person is not aware is being taught. To recieve communion -- which is the reception of God Himself -- one must profess belief in every article of Faith, even that which is unknown to the person.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Catholic Mass Procedure

Answer 3

All Catholic services come from three sources, the liturgy of James, Mark and Peter. There are in fact almost two dozen slightly different services in use around the world, depending upon the history of a particular local Church.

So, for example, if you were in Uniontown PA, you could see the services used by the ancient Churches of Antioch, Asia Minor and Rome. It is an unusual small town in that immigrants from three of the ancient communities happened to immigrate there. In a place like New York or DC you can pick up the services of the Thomas Christians who were evangelized by Thomas in India and of the Copts and Geez who use a variant of Mark's service.

If you attend the Mass, which is the Roman version of the Catholic service and comes from the service left by Peter and the Gallican service, then you are seeing a particular expression of Catholicism.

As mentioned above, the holy water is a reminder that we are born in water and the spirit. It is both a reminder to be joyful and thankful, and to remember to be penitent. The sign of the cross is accompanied by the words, "glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit," either spoken or in your heart. Kneeling is an attitude of prayer. Catholics are preparing for the coming of the Great King. He has invited us to supper, to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. In the Roman service, when receiving communion, the person receiving says,"Amen."

The entire Roman service, except for the Nicene Creed, is taken word for word from scripture. Unlike many "bible based," churches, there is nothing except the creed which isn't directly taken out of scripture. The creed was purposefully not taken from scripture because the Arians of the time it was created were manipulating scripture so they wanted to make an absolutely clear statement of belief. The creed is of course scriptural, it just isn't direct quotes. Until the last forty years, Catholics didn't have hymns either because they were not in scripture. Vatican II acknowledged the value of the Protestant hymn as an expression of faith and permitted the use of non-biblical music in the service.

Call the local priest, RCIA classes will be forming soon. They provide information about why Catholics do the things they do and help you to form a better relationship with Jesus. They are set up so that you can opt out at anytime prior to joining the Church. If you would join the Church, then you are giving your life to Jesus. This is a serious committment, one that has often in the past and many places today resulted in martyrdom. The Church does not want you to place your life on the line for something you do not understand and are not sure about.

Answer 4

+ Why do Catholics enter and do the sign of the cross with the holy water?

Every Catholic Church has holy water fonts near its entrance where believers can bless themselves as they enter the church.

The usual practice is to dip one’s fingers into the water and to make the sign of the cross: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Taking holy water as you enter the church is a way of remembering that you have been baptized into the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

+ Why do Catholics kneel before sitting in the pew?

Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist (Holy Communion).

Except for Good Friday and part of Holy Saturday, there is always some consecrated bread (the Body) in the tabernacle.

Therefore Catholics believe that Jesus is physically present in the Church.

We show our great respect for the real presence of God the Son, Jesus Christ by genuflecting before we take our seat in the pew.

+ What do Catholics say when receiving communion?

The Eucharistic minister distributing the Body says, "The Body of Christ." And we proclaim, "Amen."

The Eucharistic minister holding the Blood says, "The Blood of Christ." And we proclaim, "Amen."

+ More questions?

If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.

You can go and ask any questions you want.

This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.

There is no obligation to become a Catholic.

+ With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 5

You are welcome to come and attend a Mass any time. You could also inquire at a church if they have the RCIA program (rite of Christian initiation of adults) -- usually people take this course if they are converting, but you could "just" learn more about the Faith.

Using holy water as you describe is a remembrance of Baptism, the sacrament in which our souls receive sanctifying grace and we are made adopted children of God. When we receive Communion, the priest says "The Body of Christ" and we reply "Amen," an acknowledgement of our belief that the bread is indeed changed during Mass into the Body of Christ. Genuflecting, that kneeling before sitting in the pew, is in honor of God, particularly Jesus himself who is present in the tabernacle, that metallic box in front where some consecrated Hosts (Communion "bread") are kept at all times. For that reason, honoring His presence in the tabernacle, we also keep a candle lit at all times nearby, usually a tall one in a glass holder that stays lit for a week at a time.

Briefly, the first half of Mass involves Scripture readings and teaching in the sermon, so that we meet God in His Word; the second half is where we meet God in Holy Communion (a.k.a. the Eucharist).

You can also go to a Catholic book store and ask for a book explaining the Mass, or email me and I'll be glad to tell you more.
[e-mail]

Answer 6

The Catholic Sign of the Cross is absolutely ancient, rooted not only in the Old Testament but the New (Apocalypse speaks of those who have the sign of God in their foreheads -- and those who have the sign of the Beast in their foreheads). When Catholics undergo the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Bishop (sometimes a priest) seals the sign on our foreheads with holy chrism. St. John of Damascus wrote

This was given to us as a sign on our forehead, just as the circumcision was given to Israel: for by it we believers are separated and distinguished from unbelievers.

We genuflect when entering our pew in reverence to the Christ present in the Sacrament of the Altar.

At communion before receiving one says amen to signify "I believe"

Answer 7

A Catholic bookstore or your local Catholic Church can also probably help you find answers to all you are interested in.

Btw, we say "Amen" when we receive the Holy Eucharist (communion). I never say anything while kneeling before sitting in the pew.

Answer 8

I am not sure what they actually do, but a description of what it is they are doing is at [1].

A good book, Understanding Roman Catholicism, this is reproduced with permission at [2]. Read also [3] and [4].

Answer 9

The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom could answer some of your questions, even though the Catholics do not use that Liturgy.

http://yourpage.blazenet.net/chrysostom/liturgy.html

Answer 10

It is religiosity.
It is ritualism.
If you find it fascination, I think you should go there and talk to the priests. They will show you.