Going to a catholic church?

Question

I'm a Christian, Baptist, and I'm thinking of going to a Catholic church just for the experience. I'm not looking to change my religion, but just enjoy the service. What should I expect? I hear they are strict, and I don't know what goes on during mass. I don't want to like be forced to speak in front of everyone, or go to a confession or something. What is it like, generally?

Answer 1

I'm one of your former fellow Baptists, now a Catholic convert. And I think it's laudable that you want to actually see for yourself what Mass is about, rather than take someone else's word for it. Some of your brethren here seem to feel that this is just about the worst thing you could do -- really, it's kind of insulting to your intelligence, don't you think?

Worry not. You won't be asked to speak, nor will you be herded into a confessional, or exhorted to convert. You are welcome to come and just observe. The missalette, available either in the pews or as you enter the church, will help you follow along, but if you wish to remain silent and not participate in the responses that's perfectly fine. When everyone gets up to receive Holy Communion, you can remain seated in private prayer.

It is a liturgical service, and as such it's a bit different than Baptist worship, but there are elements that you'll recognize and be at home with -- such as singing hymns and the homily, or sermon.

You'll find the people friendly, but their focus is on the presence of Christ, so when you arrive the church will be very quiet (aside from the occasional sounds from babies and small kids) as people are usually praying -- and quieting their minds in preparation to participate fully in worship. If they don't greet you, don't be offended; it's just a difference in practice. After Mass is over you'll find much more fellowship going on and you'll also have the opportunity to shake hands with the priest if you'd like. But you won't be questioned about why you're there. If you wish, you can linger and converse with someone -- or you can merely leave.

Hope this helps from a Baptist perspective, but if you'd like to know more please e-mail me.

Answer 2

You won't be asked to speak in front of everyone. The "worst" you may have to do is shake hands with other people. And that doesn't happen every time. We don't do confession during Mass, but at other times, so that's a non-issue, too.

You should arrive 5-10 minutes early and find a seat. Usually something in the back along the middle aisle is best because you can see everything. Sometimes people are there praying (either quitely or aloud in unison) before Mass, but not always.

Look for a booklette called a "missal" or "missalette." This has the full outline of the Mass and all the readings. Usually hymns are in the back. (You don't have to sing but it's nice to read along so you know what the hymn is about.) Take a minute to read through the service -- you may have to turn to this page or back to that page. Sometimes there will be notations or graphics that tell you when to stand, sit or kneel, but not always. If not, just watch the other people and follow along, or sit respectfully throughout.

Mass starts with a procession, then prayers. After that there are readings and a short sermon ("homily). Then there are more prayers. The first half is the Liturgy of the Word. The second half is Liturgy of the Eucharist. We're on our knees for most of that, and it's mostly prayers and Scripture readings. When most people go forward to receive the Eucharist, you'll have to remain in your pew, but I'm sure you understand that we have a different understanding of Communion than Baptists, do. Hopefully, we'll all be in agreement on this someday so we won't have to be separated in Communion.

Answer 3

What you should know first about a Catholic Mass is the basic structure. The Mass is very ritualistic - and I believe that's a good thing. Everything is symbolic and to a practicing Catholic each part is significant. I find Communion in the Catholic tradition to be the most fulfilling part (in the Baptist tradition, it's more of a formality and lacks the spiritual grip - in my opinion)

You won't have to go and and speak - alter calls and public admission of faith is largely a Baptist tradition. You don't have to do anything at all - there are no goons that will beat you up if you don't stand or kneel.

Confession - at least the type that's one on one with a priest in a confessional room is not a part of the Mass. There is the Act of Penitence where you can inwardly confess your sins to God and receive absolution. (this can happen at anytime, but it's important for a Catholic to have asked for forgiveness of all sins prior to receiving Communion - you'll find this tradition in many Protestant denominations as well - such as Lutherans.

Be respectful - if you don't know what to do or are uncomfortable, then pray (that's never looked down upon).

Catholics don't worship any idols, Mary or Saints. Anyone that says otherwise is ignorant and doesn't understand Catholicism. Any organization made up of sinful humans that has a history as long as the Catholic Church is bound to have sore spots - even the early Church recorded in the Bible has had its challenges. ALL DENOMINATIONS have had their scandals.

For those that claim it's all about ritual - Baptists have the same thing. The "Invitation" is a ritual. Baptism is a ritual. The Lord Supper is a ritual. There's nothing wrong with ritual, as long as the person engaged in the ritual has their mind and heart in the right place.

I applaud you for not being deceived by fellow Baptists and looking to get answers for yourself. You'll find that Catholics aren't devil worshippers as some suggest here - complete ignorance.

(I was raised both Catholic and Baptist, if you can believe that)

Answer 4

+PAX
Welcome, welcome!

Please don't worry about having to speak in front of everyone. That will not happen. As you are not Catholic, you are not required to do anything. You may sit, kneel or stand as the others do or you may just sit.

The only thing that you cannot do is go to Holy Communion as we believe this is the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You may go up the priest with your arms crossed over your chest and receive a blessing in lieu of Communion.

Above all, you will not be forced to do anything. There is usually a missal in the pew so you can follow along with the parts of the Mass, the first being Liturgy of the Word and second being the Eucharist.

After Mass, if you have any questions, find the priest or a deacon and ask. They'll be happy to answer.

Again, welcome!
In Charity,
j

Answer 5

I haven't been to Catholic mass in over 30 years, but I do believe it is a lot less strict and more informal than it used to be.
Just follow what the others are doing as far as kneeling, sitting and standing. Have some loose change or a dollar bill in your pocket for when the collection plate goes around.
You won't be asked to confess or speak out loud. Obviously you won't partake in communion.
The priest will give a (hopefully) brief sermon and there will be some hymns, and a round of shaking hands or hug your neighbor.
You'll be fine...I think it's always a good experience to learn what goes on in services other than your own.

Answer 6

You don't have anything to worry about and you won't be forced to do anything at all. The Church is open to everyone and all are welcome.

The Mass is about praise and worship of God. It's perfectly okay if you don't understand everything and/or know what's going on; you're new so don't worry about that. You can spend your time there in prayer, listen to the scripture readings and the homily. This is your time with God, so enjoy yourself.

When it comes time for Holy Communion, you can either remain in your seat and pray or go to the priest for a blessing. Simply cross your arms over your chest and he'll know to give you a blessing. This is because we ask that non-Catholics do not receive communion out of respect for themselves and for the Blessed Sacrament.

Anyway, I do hope you enjoy it. God's peace and blessing be with you.

Answer 7

The answer given by "Baptist' is one of teh most insulting things I have read on Yahoo Answers.

The Catholic Mass is a very structured service.

First, get there a bit early so you will have an opportunity to pray and be alone with God. it is important to put yourself in the presence of God before Mass. For this reason, it will be pretty quiet and there will not be much talking to others.

There is a processional in which the priest and nonclergy minister come in while a hymn is sung.

The priest then gives the congregation a blessing and invites the congregation to prepare for Mass by recalling their sins. There is a brief moment of silence in which a person recalls their sins, but do not say them out loud. Then everyone prays a prayer of contrition. Afterwards, we sing "Glory to God in the highest" in thanks for His forgiveness.

You will then hear a reading from the Old Testament, sing a Psalm, hear a reading from the New Testament and then the Gospel. After the Gospel, the priest will give a sermon relating the readings to every day life.

After the sermon, we proclaim the Nicene Creed, which is a summary of our faith.

After the Creed, a lector will pray for the intentions of the congregation. Thes prayers include prayers for the Church, it's ministers, the world, the sick, and the dead. The people reply to each prayer request with "Lord, hear our prayer."

After the prayers of the faithful, you will sing a hmn while the collection is taken up and the bread and wine are brought to the altar.

After the bread and wine are brought to the altar, the riest retells the story of the Last Supper and as jesus dis, blesss the bread and wine and make them the Body and Blood of Christ. There are more prayers that follow.

We then all stand up, join hands and pray the Our Father, followed by sharing a sign of peace (hug or shaking of hands).

Following this, we ask the Lamb of God to have mercy on us and to grant us peace. We pray that though we are not worthy to receive Christ, we pray that he only say the word and we shall be healed.

We then go forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. since you are not a catholic, you are asked to refrain from this. You can go forward and ask for a blessing.

After Eucharist, there is a time to pray and be alone with Christ. there is then a final blessing in which we are told to go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

The full script for the Mass can be found at http://home.att.net/~sergei592/novusordo.htm (no, the Mass will not be in Latin)

I will pray for you also. i will pray that you will encounter Jesus Christ at the Mass in teh Word that is proclaimed and in the persons who are gathered in his name.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 8

You are very welcome to attend Mass!

You will not have to get up and 'do' anything....and Confession is only for those who are Catholic.

Sit there and take it all in....stand when everyone stands...sit when they sit....you do not need to kneel at the consecration if you are not comfortable with that....

Watch a Mass on EWTN to get an idea of what goes on...it is in Latin ( you'll like attend an English Mass), but it will give you an inkling.

There are missals in the pews- they wilol help you follow along. You will be surprised at how much scripture you hear throughout the entire Mass!

Answer 9

You won't have to speak up or confess if you don't want to. Is generally a sit down, listen, and pray experience. Some Churches have a musical interlude consisting in a acoustic guitar and a singing voice, but this doesn't happen everywhere. Choose a good church with a kind priest so it to be a pleasant experience. The priest is very important for the mass, because is his job to make it as accessible as possible. I recommend you ask a Catholic acquaintance about a good church in your local area.

Answer 10

Thank you for considering Christ's own Church for your worship experience. this experience is as close to the first century worship as one can get here on earth. The people will make you very comfortable coming home to Christ's Church.

Different from the Baptist Church you will be worshiping the actual corporeal Christ and be at the foot of the cross with the entire Church at the one sacrifice for all. All of the Mass focuses on Christ. You will not be allowed to receive the Eucharist or the confected Body and Blood of our Lord as you must be Catholic to do so. This is exactly like the early Church except the new people not yet members in those days could not even be present when the Eucharist is shared. I have never been closer to Christ than at Mass. Christ said that unless one eats His Body and drinks His Blood they have no life in them.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph