When you go to a catholic church and are not Catholic, are you supposed to kneel?

Question

Like when they pray and things like that, I've had to go a few times with family of pre-wedding things and such, but I've never been sure.

Answer 1

You don't have to kneel. I'm Catholic, and have had plenty of non-Catholic friends and acquaintances visit my church. Of course, no one stood there forcing them to kneel. Many visitors do kneel, though, because they are either being polite and trying to observe the customs of the church they're visiting, or are used to kneeling in their own church (Catholics aren't the only Christian group to kneel during services; Episcopalians and other groups do it, as well).

If you don't want to kneel, then don't. You can just remain seated in the pew. You might see a few Catholics who don't kneel. It is hard for the disabled, elderly, and others to kneel. If you want to follow along with the service, just stand, sit, or kneel when others around you do. If you don't want to fully participate, then don't.

Answer 2

The parishioners at Catholic church homes that I actual have been to gown fairly informally (whilst i grow to be youthful I dressed up in what i could many times positioned on at my Lutheran church and the monks asked why i grow to be so dressed up for.) The maximum secure guess could be black pants and a effective perfect, or a skirt. As for in the process the provider, there are generally books interior the pews that supply you a depiction of the Mass and the songs. some church homes have the songs up on a projector. Watch others around you for whilst to kneel, stand, and sit down. As for communion, i could have a query for you. You have been of course baptized Catholic, yet did you in addition to could obtain First Communion? If the respond is specific, then pass to Confession before the Mass (it rather is often made by skill of appointment, yet in many situations there is time set aside on Saturday. look on the church's website in the event that they have one or ask your chum.) If the respond is not any, then you definately will not be able to obtain communion. in basic terms stay interior the pew at the same time as anybody else is going up. or you may pass up for communion, yet once you get to the priest or communion assistant you're able to desire to pass your hands over your chest with your hands touching the different shoulder as a fashion to obtain a blessing. in case you will try this, it quite is advisable to talk to the priest before hand so as that he or the communion assistant do no longer supply you a humorous look.

Answer 3

Only if you want to.

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 your 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 4

I don't. I'm a former Catholic, and whenever I have to go to a family service, I just sit and be respectfully silent. There are usually a lot of people who don't kneel or sing or whatever, it's pretty much accepted these days.

Answer 5

Nope. I've been to weddings and funerals in Catholic churches and asked that same question of the people there. The answer was no, you don't have to at all. Nobody will notice and nobody will think anything of you if they DO notice, except "Oh, she must not be Catholic". No big deal.

Answer 6

No, you do not have to kneel. You are welcomed as you are and may participate (or not participate) in the way you feel most comfortable. The only exception is communion, non catholics are typically not invited to receive communion.

Answer 7

No they do not. I was welcomed and cared for. I was excepted as a visitor and a sister in the truth. They were very warm people and they never judged me nor forced me to believe exactly as they do.

I so wanted to be a nun when I grew up.

Answer 8

If you are not a believer in Jesus, you may show respect for your family and/or friends that invited you and have a moment of silence while they pray.

Answer 9

that is a personal choice. you don't have to out of respect for your own religion. or you can out of respect for theirs. I don't, I just sit and observe. I'm there to support whomever I'm there for because they invited me, I'm not there to support the religion, but I don't disrespect it neither by yawning, looking bored, rolling my eyes, etc. I just sit quietly (don't kneel, don't stand) and enjoy the ceremony.

Answer 10

I don't see why you have to. Even if it's a rule. I sure as hell wouldn't. Just sit in the back respectfully if you can so you can get out of the way of those who are Catholic, and be quiet? I dunno. -waits for a better answer-