Your First Mass

So, you decide to check out a Catholic mass, but you're a bit intimidated with the prospect of attending something where you're sure you'll stick out like a sore thumb. How do you get the most out of it without feeling like you don't belong?

The first thing to keep in mind is that, as a Christian, the entire Body of Christ is your birthright and home. And, as a non-Christian, it can be if you choose it. In either case, you're welcome - just please be respectful.

Being respectful means:

1) No food, gum, beverages, or audible electronic devices (such as cell phones - set them to silent please).
2) No conversation during the mass. That includes using electronic devices for text, email or calls.
3) Dress respectfully and conservatively. You're not there to show off your clothes or what they cover.

The thing to keep in mind is, from the moment you enter the sanctuary, you're in the physical presence of Jesus. His body, transsubstantiated from the bread that is used for communion, is stored in a special secured container in the front known as the Tabernacle, which is opened during the mass for distribution of the contents, and holds any left over at the end of the mass. You may see people bowing in that direction as they kneel before sitting on the bench/pew. They are literally reverencing Jesus by doing so.

Often, as people enter, they will dip their fingers in a container of water and cross themselves. That is holy water. Don't feel obliged to do this if you don't mean it. No one minds that you're new to this, and no one expects you to leave your integrity at the door to fit in. Don't do anything that you don't honestly mean - and that includes reciting or singing anything that everyone else is, if you're not comfortable with it.

Many people will kneel and pray once they're in their seats (assuming they arrive with enough time before mass begins). That's personal prayer, and is not required, but it's a great opportunity to get comfortable with the fact that you're in the physical presence of Jesus and are about to spend an hour in heaven, by offering this experience to God for His guidance and blessing.

One thing you'll do a lot of is standing. If you're not physically able to, that's OK - you don't have to if you can't. Otherwise, it's a good idea to just stand when everyone else around you is standing, and sit when they sit.

At the beginning and end of the mass, the congregation crosses themselves as the priest says "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (give or take an "of the" or two) and makes the sign of the cross over the congregation. Feel free to do this if you're comfortable with it, but not if it goes against your personal integrity for some reason.

During the mass, there are many prayers by the priest and responses by the congregation. If you can get ahold of a missal (a small bound book with the readings and responses from the mass) or missalette (a smaller booklet with just this month's readings and the mass parts) you may be able to follow along. Again, feel free to say them if you're comfortable with what they contain, but don't feel required to if they express sentiments that you don't share.

As mentioned, there will be singing at the beginning, end, and various times during the mass. If you see others around you singing along and you wish to, go right ahead - don't worry about being out of key, as that will just encourage those who are in key to sing with even greater enthusiasm. But if you have any issues with any of the words, you don't have to sing or say them. If you're a Protestant, you're likely to be pleasantly surprised with how much you agree with - and even with some familiar hymns.

Three points in the mass deserve extra attention here:

1) During the readings, which (on a normal Sunday) will begin with an Old Testament reading, then have a responsorial Psalm, be followed by a New Testament reading, and then conclude with a Gospel reading, there are certain responses. At the end of the OT and NT readings, the reader says, "The Word of the Lord" and the congregation responds, "Thanks be to God." During the Psalm, the congregation responds with a spoken or sung refrain that is introduced at the beginning of the Psalm. At the beginning of the Gospel, for which the congregation stands, the Priest or Deacon says, "A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew/Mark/Luke/John." and the congregation respond by crossing their foreheads, lips and hearts with their thumbs and saying "Glory to you Lord." Then, at the end of the Gospel, the Priest or Deacon says, "The Gospel of the Lord." and the congregation responds, "Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ." Sometimes the Gospel responses are replaced with singing.

2) Right after the "Great Amen" the congregation says the Catholic version of the Lord's Prayer - i.e. it stops after "deliver us from evil." and the priest says a small prayer that begins with, "Deliver us, Lord, from every evil..." after which the congregation responds, "For the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory are yours, now and forever." Then the Priest invokes the peace of Christ on the congregation, who respond, "And with your spirit." Next, everyone is encouraged to share that peace with each other, which is most often accomplished by shaking the hands of one's neighbors (or some more conservative greeting if someone has a cold or flu they don't wish to spread) and saying something like, "Peace be with you." This continues until the choir and/or congregation begin saying or singing a refrain that begins with, "Lamb of God..."

3) Communion - this time is pretty obvious, as people stand and start heading to the aisle and towards those who are distributing communion. It's perfectly acceptable to remain in your place or, if it's a bit tight, exit the pew and stand behind everyone until the pew is empty, and then return to your seat. Or, you may join everyone and go forward for a blessing by crossing your arms so your hands rest on your opposite shoulders, making it clear that you wish to receive a blessing rather than the body or blood of Christ. But it is very important not to take/receive the body or blood of Christ until you are in full communion with the Catholic Church, as anything else - including taking the body of Christ and keeping it for any purpose not explicitly sanctioned by the Church - constitutes a grave sacrilege.

Once all of this is over, and the final hymn has been sung, some may remain in their pews to pray a bit longer, and everyone is often invited to come to the church hall for snacks and fellowship afterwards. You are most emphatically welcome to that. Feel free to introduce yourself to anyone you meet and strike up a conversation. You will find that people aren't generally theologians, so the topics of discussion may not be as deep as you're looking for, but if you ask for someone you can talk to about your experience and questions, I'm sure they'll find someone for you to share with.

You're welcome!

(Copyright (c) 2011, Reg Harbeck, all rights reserved)