the catholic church/mass?

Question

im a teenager and a catholic. i find it difficult to stay focused and inspired during mass. i find it tedious. oftentimes the homilies arent very thought-provoking. but when i watch tv i see all these churches where its so energetic, people are really into it, and basically its just more passionate. i guess i dont really have a question, but just want some input on what people like/dislike about their church in general

i kinda agree with freakyboy. but ive never missed a sunday in my life and i dont plan to anytime soon. and even if im not entertained i dont really feel the connection like i should. i think if i go to one of those 'loud' churches i would be more engaged, thus creating an even better relationship with God.

Answer 1

For me, there is nothing more exciting than when my Savior, my God, is made present...body, blood, soul & divinity...upon that altar. And there is nothing more passionate or emotional than receiving His very flesh and blood. How could you connect any more intimately with the God of the universe than that?

Also there is an old saying I'd like to share with you. "Don't go to Mass asking what you can get out of it. But go to Mass asking yourself what you can bring to the Mass." In other words, you won't get anything out of it if you aren't participating.

God bless.

Answer 2

There is a Bible in every single Catholic Church. Just because you didn't see one didn't mean there wasn't one there. There were probably more than a few Bibles at the Mass you attended, you just didn't notice. After all, you were respecting the Jesus Christ and the Liturgy, not being a voyeur. Right? The Bible is the written tradition of the Church and the entire Liturgy is based on it. You'll find missals in every pew in every Catholic Church that focus the congregation of the parts of the Bible that are relevant for that part of the liturgical year. Every three years, everyone who attends Catholic Mass daily reads virtually the entire Bible. Some of the geneologies are omitted, some of the Psalms, some of the old Judaic laws, but for all intents and purposes the entire Catholic Church reads the Bible every three years. We are all connected. That's the beauty. Please take your Bible to Mass with you, but don't bury your nose in it. Learn to pray without depending on anything other than your faith. You don't want to miss out on the full faith and grace of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Do you? Most Catholics have been to Mass often enough they don't need to carry their Bible with them. Some people carry their lawnmower manual with them while they're cutting grass and some don't. It's personal preference.

Answer 3

well, hun, a loud chuch is the oposite of a good thing. the priblem is, since 1970, everything is about feeling good. 1969 was the second vatica council, which made the mass as you know it. befoer that, there was no talking, none of this stupid interaction stuff. we prayed silently, the preist spoke in latin, the altar BOYS said the latin responses. about three times in mass we say something. twice he turns to the congregation and says "dominus vobiscum", we respond, "et *** spiritu tuo", and at the ens he says "ite missa est'', and wwe say ''deo gratias''.
the new mass is translated crumily, too, and changed.
but thank heavens for the ex-communicated group, SSPX, which is preserving the church as it should be, and for the new indult from the pope, allowing the latin mass.

so... stop griping.
try going to the old mass.
remember, relidion is not something to make you feel good. God put you here, you praise God, and it should not feel all good and stuff. this touchy feely stuff is for *****!


oh, also, at that consecration, all the angels are there in the church with you, praising God, and it is the very same event that happend on calvary 2000 years ago. it is outside of time. it is not a reinactment or reminder, it is, indeed, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross in an unbloody manner.
so, picture that during that consecration, all the angels are behing the priest, with the saints. i mean in front.
it's better at the old mass.

http://www.pittsburghlatinmass.org/sblm/images/cathedral/Chalice-elev.jpg

immagine yourself here, with all the angels and saints.
you can have that as of september 14, 2007. the priests have to do it if enough people what it. the pope said.

by the way, i'm a teen, too. 14.
one teen to another.
you know.

God bless you.

and you're all liberals
it's sickening!

Answer 4

Did you know the Mass is a 2,000 year old prayer? Did you know the reason for being there is because it’s the only place where you will personally, literally encounter Jesus Christ in the flesh? Did you know that when we are at Mass, heaven literally touches down on earth?

If I were you, I’d read the book Secrets of the Eucharist. It’s explains a lot. Many people go to Mass and do not understand what’s really going on spiritually. If we had x-ray glasses to see what was going on, I doubt if many of us could take the sheer awe and glory we would behold.

Don’t be fooled by the hoop-la of the protestant ministers. Yes, they make a lot of noise, they’re very emotional, and have no problem keeping your attention, but then, you’d get the same effect at a circus. They do that because they have to if they want to keep members.

At the Catholic Church, our focus is the Eucharist. It is the one supernatural event that we can experience no where else. It’s the reason we go to Mass.

Do some reading on the Eucharist. You’ll be amazed. Trust me.

God bless and take care.

Answer 5

If Jesus physically walked into one of those churches on TV, what would the people do? Would the choir go on singing in that way? Would the preacher keep going with his flamboyant sermon? Or would they all fall down on their knees in awe and adoration before Him?

In the Catholic Church, Jesus IS truly there; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We truly believe this. That is why the Catholic Mass has such a reverence about it; because Jesus IS there with us.

You can get a FREE CD called, "The Mass Explained" at the website below. I hope you'll take advantage of. You may find it helpful.

You might also look to see if there is a Life Teen Mass at any of your area churches. These usually take place on a Sunday around 5pm, and are geared just for teens like you. I'll include a link below and you can see if there is one near you.

Answer 6

Dont attend any protestant service for the sake of novelty. You will end up losing your soul. Stay with the Roman Catholic Mass and realise that it is not the Mass but faith that is lacking. I went through the same struggles as a teenager...lack of faith, rebellion against the rules of the church, boredom during Mass. It wasn't the fault of the Church but my own lack of faith.

I would advise you to start praying the daily Rosary (at least five decades everyday) at home with your family. Stick to saying it faithfully even if you feel like you are gagging and slowly you will receive the graces you need. Ask Our Lady for the graces and gifts attached to each mystery. She will enlighten you about the Holy Mass and your Catholic faith. Also start educating yourself about the Catholic faith from good Catholic sources. If possible, get a good Catholic book, maybe the life of a saint, and read a little everyday. This will inspire and help you.

These are a few good articles you must read before you get curious about other churches:
http://www.olrl.org/apologetics/

Hold on firmly to your Roman Catholic faith and persevere till the end. You will not be disappointed.

Answer 7

For a little meditation while attending the Mass, read how the movements and prayers of the priest mirror the events of Christ's Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension.




Advice from Pope St. Pius X of most happy memory:





The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists. Is is the Sacrifice dedicated by our Redeemer at the Cross, and repeated every day on the Altar. If you wish to hear the Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with eye, heart, and mouth all that happens at the Altar.

Further, you must pray with the priest the holy words said by him in the Name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner you ought to follow all that happens on the Altar. When acting in this way, you have prayed Holy Mass.

Don't pray at Mass, but pray the Mass.

Answer 8

Found this on "The Sacrifice of the Mass"
and thought it answered your question rather well.

"We are called to be joyful! But if you think that glee is the appropriate attitude while standing at the foot of the Cross, I think there might be a little something wrong with your wiring. If you don't understand what I mean here, then trust me, my friend, with all due respect, you don't understand what the Mass is. I beg you to consider that possibility and study this! Really, do you think Our Lady and St. John were standing at the foot of the Cross singing anything like "Shine Jesus Shine" or dancing or waving their arms around in joy? Even if the Mass were only a memorial of the "Last Supper" as as in the Protestant way, what's the "mood" of a Jewish seder, anyway? Are they be-bopping all over the place and raising the roof? Or are they somberly, with gratitude and humility, re-experiencing their deliverance? Even if the Mass were a mere memorial of Calvary, would you commemorate the Sacrifice of anyone or anything else by bringing out the Rock and Roll and having a party? Have we lost all sense of majesty, awe, thanksgiving, gratitude, and duty?"


Our awareness of the glorious fact of His Resurrection is ever-present ..........it is the very reason we worship on Sundays, but that joy is tempered by the Sacrifice and by the knowledge that while He is risen, He pours Himself out to us yet -- and we still have our own Calvary to go through.

Answer 9

I understand how it feels to sit in church and not feel inspired. As a Baptist, I have felt that way for a long time. Recently, with the help of my Catholic girlfriend, I have begun attending Mass.

The Mass is still very new to me, so I am still full of faith and passion when I attend. There are many books written on the subject of Mass. I would suggest reading some of them, especially ones that are geared toward teenagers or new converts. Since I am learning Catholicism, I am reading books written for teenagers. I consider myself a teenager to the Catholic faith, still young and impressionable.

Although I cannot take the Eucharist, I have been told by many Catholic friends that that is their passion. They see Christ up on the crucifix and realize the heavy price that He paid for us. As you mentioned, some Catholic congregations, especially those on television, seem to be more passionate. One reason may be that they know they are being recorded for millions to see, so they put on an act. Although their actions are questionable, their intentions to help those watching are admirable. Another reason is that perhaps the ones you have seen are Charasmatic Catholic. Although I do not know much about them or how many of them there are, I understand that it is a popular Catholic worship style for college students. Some college Catholic centers worship Charasmatically. You may find passion and the inspiration to give your all during worship by attending one of those Masses.

Answer 10

To get more out of Mass:

follow along closely with the Missalette

Participate rather than sit there passively:answer the responses and sing the hymns(even you do not find them exciting,you may get to like them-Some are bad,I agree)

Try LifeTeen Masses or other youth-oriented Masses at another parish or "High Masses",which might be better liturgy or Charismatic Masses according to your tastes

Focus on what we are celebrating at Mass:Jesus and the Gift of Himself to us.

Bring the Catechism of the Catholic Church or a good Catholic book to read if the "sermonette' of the pastor is not thought provoking or filled with much Catholic content.

Cultivate the attitude that you are going to church to meet Jesus Himself as the Lord,Saviour,Friend and Purpose of Life.

I get out of Mass what I am willing to open myself up to