I want to attend a Catholic Church... is there anything I should know?

Question

I want to go to a Catholic service... I am a protestant but I have been interested in the Catholic traditions and such and I was wondering if there was anything I should know before going... sayings or anything

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey... don't take the Holy Communion

Answer 2

Follow along using the little book in the pews called the missallette or the worship book in the pews.( They should have the readings,hymns and responses for the Mass.)
Go with a good practicing Catholic friend if possible
Stand,sit and kneel when the others do
Do not go up for Communion,but if the parish blesses visitors at the altar, that will be announced.
Check out some Catholic web sites like Catholic Answers.
If you have not seen a Mass before try EWTN if you are in the States and have cable or satellite service.

Answer 3

A Catholic service is more structured than a Protestant service. You recieve communion every Sunday. Catholic churches also use wine for the Blood of Christ and not grape juice (or at least my church uses wine). Know some basic prayers like the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary and you should do fine. Most hymn books have sayings in a section of them.

Answer 4

Just a side note--I'm sure that you have got it now--you can't receive communion. Whew--i guess that seems to be everyone's differentiating factor! But, do know that you can actually join in the communion line, and when you reach the front you can just cross your hands over your chest for a blessing. You don't need to join in all of the responses, but you can pick up a book called a missal from the pew, and you should be able to find the responses and order of the mass for the Sunday you are attending. Just follow the lead of those around you, and enjoy your time :)

Answer 5

The Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian Church. The Anglican Church, which is the source of the King James Version of the Bible, was established by King Henry VIII in order that he might divorce Catherine of Aragon. The other Protestant Churches were all the products of those who considered themselves "Prophets" and who, thus, did not accept the theologies of the existing religions.
I am agnostic but see no reason why you should not attend the Catholic Church if that is your wish. My suggestion is that you ask a friend who is Catholic if you might accompany him/her to church. That person could instruct you as to the rituals, explain them to you, and answer your questions, assisting you in your decision as to whether you desire to convert to Catholicism. Good luck...

Answer 6

Don't go up to take communion. Most Roman Catholic congregations don't offer that part of the ritual to non-Catholics. Other than that, turn off your cell phone or beeper and don't distract others by taking photographs (even without a flash) during the service. Rise when others rise and kneel when they kneel. You don't have to say all the prayers, just be respectful of those who are there worshiping their god.

Go and have a fascinating experience. It's a good thing to learn about the practices of one's neighbors.

Answer 7

The only thing you can't do not being a Catholic is receive Communion. Other than that Mass is very traditional with a lot of standing and kneeling. It changes a little bit during certain holidays.

Answer 8

Thank you for showing respect by asking. And welcome.

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

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

At the entrance of the roman catholic church, make the sign of the cross with holy water. before getting into your seat, kneel and make the sign of the cross facing the alter. stand when the priest enters the church. in most catholic churches expect standing, sitting, kneeling, singing, holding another persons hand during prayer, shaking other peoples hands as a sign of peace, and take communion or bread if you have the sacrament of holy communion. stand and wait for the priest to leave church at the end of mass before leaving. when leaving seating area make the sign of the cross kneeling and facing alter. make the sign of the cross with holy water at the exit when leaving church.

Answer 10

Haha, I was raised protestant, and I went to a catholic mass at summer camp one time, and I remeber I was terrified...I thought they were going to find me out and subject me to the Inquisition or something. It was wierd, people dipping in water and waving their hands in front of their faces, but I survived.

Just go and follow everybody's lead. Don't take the communion...I didn't know that you're not supposed to until after I did (oops).

Answer 11

Just be ready to open your heart to any "new" ways which you might have never seen in a Protestant church. I was brought up in a Pentacostal church once,but I've found my peace in the Catholic church. You should definitely sign up for the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) to learn more about Catholicism. The people are very friendly and open to new comers. Good luck!