I've recently started dating a Catholic and I've gone to Mass with him a few times- but I'm not really sure what's going on some of the time. He explained to me about communion, but I'm reluctant to ask him anything more. I wasn't raised in a religious home and I don't really want this guy to know how little I know not only about Catholicism but religion in general. Any help? Serious answers only please!
2006-09-29 07:23:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We'll stick to the mass right now, but please feel free to post more questions - I'd be happy to offer all the insight I can.
There are two main parts to the Mass - Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Liturgy of the Word:
* Opening Rites - this is the song you might sing, blessings and prayers at the very beginning of mass. Sometimes we will sing a Gloria as a speicial praise to God, sometimes we will do a penetential rite to remind us that we aren't perfect but God always love us.
* "The Readings" - Most of the year, we listen to a reading from the Old Testament, sing a psalm in response to that reading, listen to a non-Gospel reading from the New Testament, and then listen to a reading from one of the four Gospels. The readings are important as these create the foundation of our faith.
* Homily - same thing as a sermon. Some priests are very good at them, some aren't.
* Creed & General Intentions / Prayers of the Faithful - the creed sums up the most core beliefs of Catholicism. After saying it together, we pray for the needs of the world and ourselves.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
* Preparation of the Gifts - this is where they take up the collection (tithing, more or less) and bring the elements of bread and wine to the altar.
* Eucharistic Prayer - this part can get very complicated and to be honest, pretty confusing if you don't know what's going on. Long story short is that this is one very long prayer where the priest and the congregation each have their own spoken and/or sung parts. During it, we recall the Last Supper and the priest invokes the power of the Holy Spirit during the consecration to turn the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
* Lord's Prayer, Sign of Peace, Lamb of God - we stand together and say the "Our Father," wish our neighbors peace, and prepare for communion. At the Lamb of God, the priest and Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Body and Blood into separate plates and cups for communion.
* Communion Procession - the congregation comes forward to receieve communion.
* Closing Rites - we have final blessings and prayers, sometimes some announcements, and voila, we're done!
2006-09-29 07:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like the others said- don't be afraid to ask him, I'm sure he'll appreciate your interest in his faith. Since you didn't ask a specific Q about the Mass, I'll start with this- the Catholic Mass is two parts- the Liturgy of the Word, prayers and readings from the Holy Bible.
The first reading is from the Old Testament, the responsorial Psalm is from the book of Psalms and the second reading is from the New testament. The Gospel- God's word,is from one of the four Gospels- Matt. Mark, Luke or John. The second part of the Mass is the Liturgy of the Eucharist- the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. He instituted this Blessed Sacrament at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday before he was crucified.
after communion there is a time for personal prayer/meditation before the priest gives the final blessing and sends us on our way to live and speak/spread the word of God.
This is just a very general overview. Ask your boyfriend, go and talk to the RCIA director of his parish. Catholic churches usually have books, pamphlets and literature on tables in their vestibules. My Mother is on the RCIA team at our church and one of the books that they hand out to people who are interested in Catholicism is- The Seeker's Catechism: the Basics of Catholicism by Michael Francis Pennock. It is printed by Ave Maria Press in Notre Dame, Indiana. I'm sure they have a website you could order it and other books from. Also check your phone book (or ask your boyfriend) where the local catholic shop is and go there for resources.
Hope this helped some.
2006-09-29 07:51:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is an outline of the Mass:
+ Introductory Rites
. + Entrance (All stand)
. + Greeting
. + Act of Penitence
. + Kyrie Eleison (Latin for "Lord have mercy")
. + Gloria
. + Opening Prayer
+ Liturgy of the Word
. + First Reading - usually from the Old Testament (All sit)
. + Responsorial Psalm
. + Second Reading - usually from a New Testament Epistle
. + Gospel Reading (All stand)
. + Homily (All sit for the sermon)
. + Profession of Faith (the Nicene Creed) (All stand)
. + Prayer of the Faithful (prayers of petition)
+ Liturgy of the Eucharist
. + The Preparation of the Gifts - the bread and wine are brought forward and placed on the altar, our monetary offerings are also collected at this time (All sit)
. + The Prayer over the Offerings (All stand)
. + The Eucharistic Prayer - during this prayer the bread and wine change into the Body and Blood of Christ (Catholics kneel, visitors may kneel or sit)
. + The Lord's Prayer (All stand)
. + The Rite of Peace (We offer each other a sign of peace)
. + The Breaking of the Bread
. + Communion - non-Catholics are requested out of respect not to receive Communion, they may approach the altar with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing (Stand or kneel according to local custom)
+ The Concluding Rites
. + Announcements (All sit)
. + Blessing (All stand)
. + Dismissal
. + Procession
Every part (except maybe announcements) has a depth of meaning that cannot be easily explained in a forum like this.
I suggest you discuss God, religion, the mass, and everything else in depth with your boyfriend. You will both learn more about God and each other.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-09-29 17:03:24 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are looking to learn more about the Catholic church, contact some local churches in your area to see if they have any classes offered to adults to learn about the catholic faith. These classes are sometimes called RCIA classes (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults). People mainly take these classes when they are wanting to join the church or marrying a Catholic and wanting to become a Catholic themselves. I attended this class simply to gain more knowledge about the faith. I wasn't sure I wanted to join...just more curious. They said you could quit taking the classes at any time if you felt it wasn't for you. I had a lot of my questions answered. Needless to say, I was baptized, confirmed, and ended up taking my first communion after those classes. Best decision I ever made. There is also a book you can check out titled "In His Light". I don't recall the author, but it is a question/answer book about the Catholic faith. Oh, and as far as your boyfriend goes...it should be more intriguing to him that you WANT to learn and that you do what it takes on your own to educate yourself - more than what you already know. Good luck...and peace be with you.
2006-09-29 08:05:18 · answer #4 · answered by stlfan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't know, then ask! If you want to know, the only way to learn is to ask. "Knowledge is the progressive realization of ignorance" as it has been said. Hit the library, read some books on religion. It's not a catastrophy that you haven't been involved in such a field before in your life.
If anything, your boyfriend needs to know your religious ideals because he may not be willing to pursue a romantic relationship with someone who is not catholic. Difference in religious views can cause strain on a marriage, so he should know about the difference as early as possible.
2006-09-29 07:33:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Mass is a gift of love to God the Father, from His Son Jesus Christ. (Think Holy Thursday and the Last Supper)
The priest through the great commission of the Apostles at Pentecost carries on Jesus' place as High Priest in human form for each of us.
The Mass is the continuation of the Sacrifice of the Cross given to Catholic at the Last Supper by Jesus Himself. In this command to do this in memory of Me, Jesus transformed the Bread and Wine into His Body Blood Soul and Divinity.
1st Part Is the Liturgy of the Word (Bible)
2nd Part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist (Last Supper Sacrament)
Word and Action are combined into one perfect ongoing prayer around the world in unison and forever.
Short response to BIG question.
2006-09-29 07:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by Lives7 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you want him to know? There's no shame in it.
I'm sure you'll get a link from someone that'll tell you just about everything you wanted to know about catholicism, but were afraid to ask. You can study up there.
But seriously, don't be afraid to ask! I'm sure he'd be thrilled at your interest.
2006-09-29 07:26:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out a few websites about catholism, if you have to. Better yet, don't lie to your boyfriend. Sooner or later he is going to find out. Chances are he would love to talk with you about it and help you learn about something that is important to him.
2006-09-29 07:27:37 · answer #8 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, whats' the question? I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.
2006-09-29 07:26:44 · answer #9 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask questions.get to know him. maybe you'll realize something.
2006-09-29 07:27:18 · answer #10 · answered by enord 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋