Catholic Mass?

Question

I'm not a Catholic, though I'm interested in the religion, and I was hoping to attend a Spanish Catholic Mass this weekend. The thing is, I'm not Spanish either (I'm caucasian). Would I be allowed to participate in the service? Also, how long does Mass generally last? 1 or 2 hours? The Spanish mass fits into my time frame best, thats why I'm wondering. Thanks.

I didn't mean to be offensive in my approach, I just meant to say I'm not of any Hispanic origin. I was just curious to whether or not the service was Hispanic only. Please don't misinterpret my words as offensive, I didn't mean to come off that way :)

Answer 1

Thank you for showing respect by asking. And welcome. Everyone is welcome to any parish Catholic Mass.

A Sunday Mass lasts a little more than an hour depending on the amount of music and if there are special rites like a Baptism.

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.

Answer 2

I've gone to many Spanish Masses. It usually last for an hour, though everything is in Spanish the rituals and kneeling are the same as an English Mass. One time I was in Mass, this octogenarian couple was receiving blessings from the priest because they were moving. They had been attending the Spanish mass for years and they were Caucasian! You are probably going to be the only Caucasian there or maybe not it all depends on what town you are going to church.

Answer 3

The Spanish celebrations are really nice. I love the music and oh yes definitely go and have a wonderful time although if you are not Catholic you cannot go to Communion but, with the Spanish community, I have noticed only about half do at a time anyway. (Very earnest about confession before communion) Mass lasts about 1 1/2 hours I guess I know it takes longer to say something in Spanish than it does in English.

Answer 4

A Mass is a Mass regardless of the language used to celebrate it. Attending a Mass celebrated in Spanish is the same as celebrating a Mass in English, presuming you speak English, of course. If it is your Sunday Obligation you are concerned with, the Spanish Mass will do just fine.

Of couse you may attend Mass! All are welcome to attend Mass. Do not worry about "what to do" or making "mistakes". The only thing is, since you are not Catholic, you cannot receive Holy Communion. You are allowed to participate in all other facets of the Mass.

The typical Mass goes for about one hour.

Answer 5

Crank that soul needs to lighten up a bit.

Mass generally last an hour but it is up to the preists plan for that service.

You can participate in all of the mass except for the Eucharist. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, read on the Eucharist and you will find out why it is so special to us. You can however go up during communion time with your arms acrossed your chest (go up the isle the preist is on) and he will bless you. It might help if you speak spanish otherwise it will be hard to follow along. It doesn't matter what color you are, everyone is welcome to sit in on mass.

Answer 6

Catholic Mass, like any other form of Christian worship, is offered in the vernacular, that is the language of the community. You will still find a weekend Latin Mass offered in the larger metropolitan areas, and these are fascinating and can be deeply spiritual celebrations.

If you don't speak Spanish, you might not get a lot out of it. But all are welcome, even those who don't understand Catholicism. There should be a Mass offered in your language nearby, and there should be some form of language aide within the Church.

I take it you've gone to Mass this weekend, by the date of your posting ... email me, what did you think?

Answer 7

You should have no problems. All people, regardless of race, are welcome at Mass.

Usually it will be 1 hour or less, and you should be able to participate fully. We only ask that non-Catholics receive a blessing from the priest instead of Holy Communion out of respect for themselves and the Blessed Sacrament. You can do this by approaching the priest with your arms crossed on your chest.

I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit, and continue to do so. God bless and take care.

Answer 8

Hello Rye, even though you are not a Catholic you can attend a Catholic Mass but you may not partake in the Eucharist.
I found this site that may be helpful to you,it deals with the Mass in Spanish which you can download as MP3 format.
http://www.madreanna.org/massrecording/index.htm

Answer 9

The Mass usually lasts for about an hour. You might want to try a Mass in English before you go to one in Spanish so you actually know what's going on. Either way, there are missals in the pews to guide you through it. Also, you won't be allowed to recieve the Holy Eucharist. You have to be baptized, then recieve your First Reconciliation, then your First Holy Communion. Good luck!

Answer 10

The service lasts about an hour, but the spanish mass is IN SPANISH. If you don't understand the language, you're gonna be bored out of your mind.

'Course, the music is cool...