I was wondering, if you are not Catholic, and you are not seeking or wanting to convert, and you are of another faith, is it ok to visit a Catholic church and just "observe" a service? Just out of curiosity about their ways?
2007-10-07 13:43:58 · 13 answers · asked by book_1958 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm Baptist.
2007-10-07 22:37:51 · update #1
are you saying your not christian or your non-denominational, baptist, etc.
2007-10-07 13:47:15 · answer #1 · answered by deathuser94 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely you can observe a Catholic Mass.
If you are interested in learning about Catholicism this is an excellent website to get started:
http://www.amm.org/chss.htm
It does not cost any money, and you can keep the text books for future reference. There are seven or eight courses available. I've taken three myself and found that the books, while written in an easy to understand "down to earth manner" they imparted a great deal of wisdom and information about the Church. There is one book, "We Worship: A Guide to the Catholic Mass", that is excellent and rel-event since you are interested in attending Mass.
The more you know about the Catholic Mass, the more you will get out of it when you attend.
2007-10-10 13:40:46 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, everyone is welcome.
Thank you for showing respect by asking.
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
and http://stbrigids-kilbirnie.com/Pages/mass-1.html
With love in Christ.
2007-10-07 23:36:34 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go to a Catholic church about 4 times a yr., as a visitor.
2007-10-07 20:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by snakefinder41360 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes , you may visit a catholic church without converting.
.
2007-10-07 20:51:19 · answer #5 · answered by bakerone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's absolutely OK to attend a Catholic Mass even if you're not Catholic.
Just remember that, for reasons I'd be glad to explain if you PM me, if you're not Catholic, you should not receive Communion.
.
2007-10-07 22:06:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, absolutely it's okay. The Catholic Church welcomes everyone. You cannot receive Eucharist though. That is for your own protection. St. Paul tells us that "he who receives unworthily calls judgment down on himself." The Catholic Church takes this very seriously and requires that you understand the importance of receiving Christ in the Eucharist.
Yes, please come and visit.
2007-10-07 21:04:35 · answer #7 · answered by Misty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure
Visitors are welcome
Follow etiquette and do what the congregation does but do not take Communion
If you call beforehand someone may give you a tour of the church
2007-10-07 20:55:38 · answer #8 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you may be able to attend Holy Mass, but, you would not be allowed to receive Holy Communion.
2007-10-07 22:18:10 · answer #9 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly okay with Roman Catholics and with Eastern Orthodox Catholics. Just don't try to take communion with us. We've both got some unique doctrines regarding communion, and you might not agree with them. Humor us on that one, if you please. Curious visitors are always welcome.
2007-10-07 21:01:04 · answer #10 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is okay and you are most welcome. Just don't take communion because that is only for Catholics who have been baptized and are in a state of grace.
2007-10-07 22:05:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋