Question for Catholics?

Question

I will be attending a Saturday Mass with a friend this weekend. What is the proper protocol for me to follow? What's appropriate dress for a Saturday service?

Answer 1

Thank you for your interest and respect.

Business casual attire or better would be appropriate.

Posture during Mass, Catholics:
- Stand to pray as a community or listen to the Gospel
- Sit to listen to other Bible readings and the homily and during the presentation of the gifts
- Kneel during the consecration of the Eucharist

Visitors are asked to sit and stand when everyone else does. You can kneel during the consecration of the Eucharist but you may sit if you prefer.

Non-Catholics are requested, out of respect, not to receive Communion. In most parishes, they may approach the altar with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

It really depends a lot on the type of parish you're attending. I, for example, attend a student parish where showing up on Saturday *or* Sunday for Mass in jeans is totally okay. In more conservative parishes, it is still typically okay to "dress down" a tad more for Saturday Mass than for Sunday, but jeans would likely never be considered appropriate.

I would suggest that you ask your friend what is typical for her particular parish and then dress accordingly. My guess, however, is that you could dress like you might for work or for a evening out with friends and that would be okay. "Sunday Best" is probably more dressy than you need to be.

Re: the protocol -- what others have said is correct. Just follow your friend's lead. Sometimes, there are booklets available to pick up that may help you to follow the Mass and know how to appropriately respond. Assuming that you are not Catholic, you will probably choose not to recite the Profession of Faith, which happens right after the priest gives his "homily" or sermon. As others have stated, non-Catholics are also not permitted to accept Holy Communion, but you will easily be able to remain in your seat without anyone giving the matter much thought at all.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Your friend can give you appropriate dress. For me, it was shorts, sandals, and a tshirt, even for sunday service. But different churches vary. You will find most Catholic churches are not nearly so formal as to require 'sunday best', even on Sunday.

As far as posture, it is appropriate to follow your friend's lead in standing, sitting, and kneeling. If for some reason your are forbidden from kneeling, sit politely during those times that the congregation is kneeling.

You cannot receive communion in a Catholic church. However, if you would like to still participate in going up, make sure you are in the line that goes to a priest or deacon. As you approach, cross your arms over your chest (as if using the sign language word 'love'). This will signal the person that you are not going to receive the Eucharist but would like a blessing. If this would be forbidden by your beliefs, remain at your seat instead.

Remember that you are in a House of God and that you have been invited to join in the fellowship of that house, but respect the rules of the particular house, and all will go well.

Answer 4

It depends on what type of people frequent it. The best person to ask would be your friend. Our church is very low key and you look funny really dressed up. Many churches look really funny if you don't. My best advice would be to wear something neat and clean, like maybe some black/khaki pants and a nicer sweater. That way you look nice but you won't look over or under dressed. When you go in, just do what everbody else does. Don't worry about singing all the hymns and psalms, follow along however much you feel comfortable. I think it's nice that you're trying something like going to a different or first mass than what you were raised with. Be prepared- Catholics do a lot of sit/stand/kneel but everybody else will do it at the same time so just follow along. When they go up for Communion you can just sit down and wait for the others to go up, unless you were baptized and follow the faith and want to go up. You won't be the only person that doesn't go up, so don't feel obligated to go up. Pretty much just be a good audience like you would in school and follow whatever the others do.
OH- it's considered highly disrespectful to bare shoulders in the Catholic church, so if you're in a warm climate stick with cap sleeves at least.

Answer 5

This is really simple. I wear a nice top (one that doesnt show clevage and is tasteful) and slacks, or a skirt. Some fellow churchgoers wear the female suits in bright colors (red, yellow, blue etc. but they tend to be older) When you come in and take a seat in the pews, they usually have an opening hymn then Father starts the service. You will say a few common prayers, like Our Father, then about 1/2 way through mass your friend might go get communion, if you are not catholic, usually you dont recieve communion without confession, but ask your friend what she/he thinks is appropriate. Shortly after communion you pray, Father makes his sermon, then some annoucements for the community to know. And then it is done. You leave with your friend. Sometimes we have a little gathering to the side of the church or in the pavilion where the church serves donuts or coffee and juice.

Answer 6

Saturday evening Mass is the same as a Sunday morning Mass. Your attire should be respectful and modest. As far as protocol follow your friends lead as to when to sit and stand. It is your choice whether you choose to kneel. You may choose to sit when others kneel but please be respectful of others behind you who are kneeling. Don't sit all the way back, just lean your upward body forward a little so you are not right in their faces. At communion time you may stay in your seat or come forward with your arms crossed (right palm on left shoulder, left palm on right shoulder) to receive a blessing. Please do not receive Holy Communion as it is a sign of unity of belief in the real presence of the Eucharist and it is disrespectful to o your friends faith to receive if you are not in communion with the Catholic Church. You are already showing much respect just by asking the question. Thank you and may God bless you.

Answer 7

Every day casual is OK. Like the type people wear to an office work place. But, no jeans.
As far as the service just follow what your friend does, such as kneeling, standing and sitting, but there is no need to do the prays and don't do Communion .

Answer 8

Wear nice but casual clothes that cover the legs and arms and show no cleavage or the stomach.

When you enter the church, you will see people using the holy water to cross themselves. Don't do that unless you have been baptized. People will bow or genuflect/kneel before they enter their pew, don't do that unless you believe that Jesus is fully present (body, blood, soul, and divinity) in the form of the Eucharist in the Tabernacle(like a golden chest, in the front of the church, with a red candle next to it).

There are books called Missals or Missalettes by the pews. You can follow along inside them for directions on what to do. You are also welcome to just sit there and do nothing if you so choose.

When everyone goes up to receive Holy Communion you need to stay in your seat because only Catholics are allowed to do it.

Answer 9

Dress respectful (after all, while I don't know your religion, would you want someone dressing disrespectfully for it? And ignore the people who don't know the meaning of respect in the church. It is not a place for mid-driffs and short shorts)

Don't worry about not being able to fully follow along with the Christian olympics. It's stand, sit, stand, sit, stand, kneel, stand, kneel (communition), sit, stand

don't go up for communion

It's respectful to leave after the priest has had time to get out the door.

Keep an open mind.

Answer 10

Dress well, but not flashy.

Just relax and take it all in. Follow the lead of your friend, and the rest of the congregation.

You'll be standing, sitting, and even kneeling at various times, throughout.

Ask your friend to point out the responses and hymns in the daily Mass guide for you, so you can follow along.

The most solemn portion of the Mass is when the priest holds up the bread, says the words of consecration, and then likewise, holds up the chalice.

At that moment, the Holy Spirit transforms the bread and wine into the real and substantial body and blood of Jesus Christ, and you are literally experiencing the real presence of God on earth, just like the apostles did, some 2000 years ago.

Shortly after that, as the priest raises the consecrated host and chalice up to heaven again,
you'll hear him say something like, "Through Him, with Him, In Him, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory, praise, and honor is yours, almighty Father, forever and ever."

It is then that Jesus, the eternal, once for all sacrifice of Calvary, approaches his heavenly Father on our behalf, obtaining forgiveness for our sins and all necessary graces, both for those in attendance, and for the whole world.

You'll recite the Lord's Prayer, and suitably inspired by it, offer a sign of peace to those nearby. A simple handshake and/or a nod and a smile will be fine.

Since it appears that you're not Catholic, and since even good Catholics must be properly prepared to receive Holy Communion, you'll stay behind and remain seated when others go up to receive. No offense.

The Mass you will be celebrating is essentially the same worship service that the apostles and their disciples experienced in the time of Christ, beginning with the Last Supper.

Here's a scriptural reference that should give you a sense of what they knew to be true, even then:

1Ti 2:1 I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men:
1Ti 2:2 For kings and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour,
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God: and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times.

1Ti 2:7 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle (I say the truth, I lie not), a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention.
1Ti 2:9 In like manner, women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire:
1Ti 2:10 But, as it becometh women professing godliness, with good works.

You might also appreciate knowing that by attending Mass, you're fulfilling a great Old Testament prophecy:

Malachai 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.

Have a great time, and say hi to God for me!