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Was raised protestant, with some Catholic family so I have attended services before, making Catholic services extremely fascinating and exotic to me (was a pallbearer at one a few years ago - some mafia there, but I'm not Italian). Only attended one mass with Catholic friends in high school on one of their youth group retreats - believe I took communion though Protestants are usually not permitted. More of a Deist now, but my faith is complicated - just got back from my non denominational Church. Went to a funeral for a bartender friend who drank himself to death last fall, just took the blessing. Did do the cross with holy water when exiting.

What should I expect if I go to a Latin mass?

/U/AOU move to religion if necessary

Was raised protestant, with some Catholic family so I have attended services before, making Catholic services extremely fascinating and exotic to me (was a pallbearer at one a few years ago - some mafia there, but I'm not Italian). Only attended one mass with Catholic friends in high school on one of their youth group retreats - believe I took communion though Protestants are usually not permitted. More of a Deist now, but my faith is complicated - just got back from my non denominational Church. Went to a funeral for a bartender friend who drank himself to death last fall, just took the blessing. Did do the cross with holy water when exiting. What should I expect if I go to a Latin mass? /U/AOU move to religion if necessary

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[–] • 1 pt

You're not supposed to take communion unless you've had your confirmation. You can go up with everyone else, but you're supposed to decline the wafer.

I'd suggest popping in and having a chat with a priest with any questions you have (or if you're uncomfortable with that, sending them an email.) That way when mass comes you'll know what to expect and you'll know someone so it'll be less intimidating.

[–] • 1 pt

But what if I would? They wouldn't know

[–] • 1 pt

Ha, they might know. Especially if they've never seen you at confession and you seem nervous.

But really, part of the reason you're not supposed to is for your own protection. Catholics must be in a state of grace and have fasted before receiving the eucharist. There also other prerequisites one must meet first.

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. - - Corinthians 27-30

In addition, when you accept the eucharist and say amen you're making an oath to God that you truly believe what you've consumed is the body of Christ and that you are one with your fellow Catholics...which in the case of a non-Catholic would be making a false oath.

It's also disrespectful. Like being a guest in someone's home. The host welcomes and treats you well only for you to spit in the host's glass when they aren't looking. Sure, they probably won't know, but why do that?

I mean, it's not like the priest is handing out pizzas as the body of Christ.

[–] • 0 pt

Gotcha. Prolly just cross my arms. Take the blessing. I can still dip in holy water and sign though?

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Well, lying is a sin. So by default you're taking communion in an unworthy manner.

My Son is not Catholic, but I he goes to confession a lot (because protestants don't do it), he just says he isn't Catholic. It isn't quite the same... but you're meeting God as far as you can.