What will the Catholic congregation think- will they welcome me or think 'not another convert'? Also I do not know fully how to take part in the Catholic Mass e.g crossing myself at the appropriate points and knowing the proper responses - do not want to look stupid or look like i'm being disrespectful. Am I actually allowed into the Mass, as I'm not Catholic? I know that I can't take communion in a Catholic church as although I'm baptised it is in the Anglican church, so I'm barred - although I can go up for a blessing. I'm worried about contacting the local Priest as I'm worried what his reaction will be - will he tell me to stick with the Anglican church? Thank you!
2007-08-20 07:24:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you for showing respect by asking. And yes, you will be welcomed.
Please:
+ If you feel comfortable then pray and sing with the rest of the congregation.
+ Sit and stand when everyone else does.
+ If you feel comfortable kneeling during the Consecration then do so, otherwise sit.
+ Out of respect do not to receive Communion, according to local custom, and only if you wish, you may approach the altar with their arms crossed over your chest to receive a blessing.
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
For more information, see the General Instruction of the Roman Missal: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3a
+ Joining the Catholic Church +
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.
2007-08-20 14:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a convinced Catholic. I once attended the wedding of a friend at an Anglican Church and I didn't find any significant variations from one rite to another, so it shouldn't be hard for you to attend a Catholic Mass and act properly. But this is form. Before taking the change, study the fundaments of each and decide. And remember that both are human institutions although a divine origin is claimed by the Church of Rome so it is important to see the doctrine pertaining spiritual matters rather than actions addressing the material world in which, the Catholic Church has been awfuly incorrect many times.
2007-08-20 07:58:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Roman Catholic Church is eager to receive as many converts as possible into its fold and there is no doubt that you would be welcomed by priest and people. Some of the most famous modern exponents of Roman Catholic doctrine have been converts. However, may I invite you to look in the Book of Common Prayer at the 39 articles of religion, which set out the basic reasons for the split of the Anglican Church with Rome? I think that they contain food for thought and that you should at least give some thought to these important issues concerning which people on both sides of the fence have been ready to die. It is a big step to take.
2007-08-20 07:48:43 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
“What will the Catholic congregation think- will they welcome me or think 'not another convert'?”
Oh gosh no! It’s the opposite. We LOVE converts! I know – I’m one of them, lol!
First, though, God bless you and welcome home! :D
You don’t have ANYTHING to worry about at Mass. When you go to Mass, that is your time with God, plain and simple. It’s perfectly okay that you don’t know all the steps yet; you’re new, you’re not supposed to, lol!
When you go, simply enjoy the peace and quiet, and the presence of God. Pray as you like, bring a bible if that’s what you normally do, etc. No one will bother you. The Mass is for you and your heavenly Father. Now, obviously, once you start attending on a regular basis, you’ll start to get the hang of things. The prayers are usually the same at every Mass, as is the routine – doesn’t take long to get used to. What I love is we say prayers that are 2,000 years old! So much history!
Thank you for respecting the Holy Eucharist. Going to the priest for a blessing is perfectly okay and ENCOURAGED! Can never have enough graces from God, lol!
What you will need to do is enroll in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). These are the classes that will teach you the Catholic faith. Talk with the priest and tell him what you want to do. He’ll be more than happy to assist you.
By the way, I’d love to hear your personal story for why you’re becoming Catholic. If you’d like, I’ll also share mine with you. Email me anytime.
God bless and take care.
2007-08-20 15:00:56 · answer #4 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"that's surprising information. Pope Benedict XVI has created an completely new Church shape for disaffected Anglicans which will enable them to worship jointly – employing components of Anglican liturgy – decrease than the pastoral supervision of their very own specifically appointed bishop or senior priest. The Pope is now offering Anglicans international “company reunion” on words which will delight Anglo-Catholics. In concept, they are able to have their very own married clergymen, parishes and bishops – and that they are going to be freed from liturgical interference by skill of liberal Catholic bishops who're unsympathetic to their conservative stance. there is even the possibility that married Anglican laymen ought to be properly-known for ordination on a case-by skill of-case foundation – a surprising concession." Telegraph, London England
2016-11-13 00:08:28 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The priest *shouldn't* turn you away. If this has happened, then you need to go to a different parish--or if that is not feasible, then contact the bishop for help.
Of course you're allowed to attend Mass ;-) and it's really not all *that* different from what you're used to. And though I'd personally like to see you be a Lutheran (seeing as I'm Lutheran myself), I think at least becoming a Catholic is a smart move for you, given the Anglican (and especially Episcopal/USA) Church's unending slide into liberalism and irrelevance.
God's blessings on you and your journey. =)
2007-08-20 08:16:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be made to feel at ease and welcome to attend Mass. You need not worry if you are uncertain about blessing yourself.
Please contact the Priest and I am sure he will put you at your ease. As an Anglican, you will notice that many of the prayers are the ones you use .
If the congregation is worth its salt it will only be concerned in welcoming you, not thinking adversely of you!
2007-08-20 08:14:24 · answer #7 · answered by Raymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be truthfull - neither Anglican or Catholic will do you any good!
It sounds harsh but there is a point to my answer.
The Bible (which is the foundation of the christian church) says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall be saved"
I was baptised Catholic so I could take mass if i wished, I was brought up C of E, but when I was 20 I realised that this was a in vain as I met with the Lord Jesus himself and he changed my life completely.
I used to be a junkie, and a compulsive liar and blasphemer but Jesus forgave my sin by dying on the cross 2000 years ago.
I realised that I was wasting my time going to Anglican and Catholic churches as they do not believe what they are saying they just go through the motions.
They also say that in order to go to heaven all you have to do is live a good life and do good deeds.
That is not what the Bible says.
The Bible says you have to have to repent of your sin and invite Jesus into your heart. You need to have a personal relationship with Christ. You have to open your heart to him and invite him into your life.
Only then will you be fit for heaven and you will feel and hear from the Lord
God Bless
2007-08-20 07:40:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Why don't you leave the Anglican church now, but take some time before you join up with the Catholics. Put that off and think about it for a while.
2007-08-20 07:32:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am an Anglican and can only refer to the Church of Rome.
However I feel that sometimes my core beliefs are expressed by the Church of Rome fat more clearly than the C Of E. I do not think it would take an awful lot for me to join you This is in spite of a feeling that it is the most corrupt organisation known to man.
2007-08-20 07:34:52 · answer #10 · answered by Scouse 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋