I attended Mass for the very first time today - Page 2

Domiy · #16 Aug 11, '12, 8:35 pm

Welcome home Zenkai, so great to hear your recent decision to be filled with Jesus' unconditional love and grace.

It is indeed unconditional. There is no direct or indirect sin involved in messing up your own actions in mass, whether you do something too early or too late etc. These are all just modern processes which the church has derived in a way that it feels is best to honor God. You will be receiving graces and mercy for deciding to attend your first mass, and I recommend you take this chance to pray and give God your heart in prayer. No accidental mass hiccups will ever take that way. You might feel that if you do something wrong, people can't help but stare in confusion. This is normal, because to most people attending mass, they're not used to seeing someone do something wrong (which only highlights how rare it is for newcomers to enter the church, you're one of a small group, and for that be glad!). Never be embarrassed or ashamed at church. Whether you're wearing sparkly clothes or rags, give $50 or 50 cents into the collection plate, or pray with your arms crossed instead of flat together, your graces are still well met by God in his temple

Zenkai · #17 Aug 11, '12, 8:42 pm

Thank you again everyone.

Also, what should I wear to Mass?

-Thanks

Zenkai · #18 Aug 11, '12, 8:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by amDg0815

Are you a Catechumen(I cant spell)? I see it says you are eventually becoming a Catholic. Are you waiting to be initiated? It says Christian but it doesn't say from what background?

I am not a Catechumen yet. I would like to start RCIA soon. Is RCIA required? Also, I come from a Baptist background.

Delaine75 · #19 Aug 11, '12, 8:47 pm

I didn't get everything right for the first several times I went (what helped me was to look up what to do during Mass as well as the parts of the Mass and responses online!), and even now, I still stumble from time to time on the "and with your spirit" part, LOL!

I hope that you continue to go -- it will definitely get easier and the more you go, the more beautiful the Mass will become for you.

My prayers are with you on this journey!

maltmom · #20 Aug 11, '12, 9:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delaine75

I didn't get everything right for the first several times I went (what helped me was to look up what to do during Mass as well as the parts of the Mass and responses online!), and even now, I still stumble from time to time on the "and with your spirit" part, LOL!

I hope that you continue to go -- it will definitely get easier and the more you go, the more beautiful the Mass will become for you.

My prayers are with you on this journey!

A couple of months ago the Priest had a moment. He started saying "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter my house....." He started blushing, everyone kept going. He caught up and just smiled. It happens to all of us.

thequeen · #21 Aug 11, '12, 9:04 pm

Made a lot of mistakes during the Mass when I first converted.

MSSheBear · #22 Aug 11, '12, 9:09 pm

Congratulations, Zenkai! I hope you keep going to Mass! The others have offered good advice but I would like to add that when I first started attending Mass I would just say what parts I could say, and I followed the example of someone one I felt was devout as far as movements went. It took me almost a year before I could cross myself with everyone else. I find that sometimes I still forget things and that a lot of the older parishioners haven't got the new translation down.

I hope you go through the RCIA process. I found my process wonderful and helpful.

SgtSchultz · #23 Aug 11, '12, 9:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenkai

I am not a Catechumen yet. I would like to start RCIA soon. Is RCIA required? Also, I come from a Baptist background.

I would see about enrolling soon, as many RCIA classes start only in September. Also, technically, you'd be a candidate, not a catechumen, provided you were baptised with the water and Trinitarian formula and have at least some knowledge and understanding of Christianity. (I'm not sure if Baptists do the water and Trinitarian formula.)

Zenkai · #24 Aug 12, '12, 2:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtSchultz

Also, technically, you'd be a candidate, not a catechumen, provided you were baptised with the water and Trinitarian formula and have at least some knowledge and understanding of Christianity. (I'm not sure if Baptists do the water and Trinitarian formula.)

Yes, I was Baptized with the Trinitarian formula. Also, I do have quite a lot of knowledge about Christianity.

So is RCIA required for a Baptized Protestant who has studied a lot about Catholicism?

And thank you everyone for the responses

fnr · #25 Aug 12, '12, 2:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenkai

I attended my first Mass at the first parish in America, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

Anyways, I was wondering if it was a sin that I messed up the sign of the Cross or if it was a sin that I didn't kneel the first time.

I really enjoyed my first Mass and I look forward to attending again.

God bless, Zenkai! It's a pleasure to have you joining our services for the first time.

I'm not clergy or a credentialed theologian, but HECK NO are you sinning! In fact, your wondering about it as you do suggests to me that you're doing exactly what you should be doing! Bringing God into the interior experience of your life!

Welcome!

SgtSchultz · #26 Aug 12, '12, 8:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenkai

So is RCIA required for a Baptized Protestant who has studied a lot about Catholicism?

Actually, this is a good question. I don't believe it is necessary to do RCIA if you're validly baptised and have a good grounding in Catholicism, but I believe it is still highly recommended. The rites are probably going to be far more important for someone in your position.

I know a guy who was a Lutheran who was able to go straight to confirmation, confession, and Eucharist well before Easter and without going through the formal RCIA programme.

For me personally, I was told during my RCIA enrolment interview that I'd be the most well-informed attendee there -- that I probably had more knowledge than many Catholics who were born into the faith and were practising. The interviewer still said it would be good for me to enrol in RCIA, though he said I could discuss with the priest whether I needed to attend specific classes. It was far more important for me to go through the rites, private masses, etc. than all the classes.

So for you personally, I'd see about making an appointment with a priest to discuss all this. It doesn't matter if you're Catholic or not. I meet with the priest at my parish to talk and discuss concerns, questions, etc. about life in general as well as Catholicism. He's very open and friendly.

Good luck!