As Catholics, we joyfully welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds to attend the liturgy and participate in worship, however there are a few guidelines that might be helpful for a visitor to be conscious of. These guidelines are intended to help you understand how to best respect the sacredness of the Catholic Mass and respect beliefs of others. This is also intended to enhance and make your worship experience a meaningful one, whether you are visiting or are in a formation class to help you better understand the knowledge of liturgy and the Catholic Mass.
Attending Mass
- Please be considerate and arrive in the Church before the Mass begins. It is considered disrespectful to arrive after the Mass has begun.
- As you enter into the Church it is part of our custom to bless ourselves with Holy Water making the Sign of the Cross. This ritual is also repeated upon leaving the Church. It is a reminder of our Baptism, that we are children of God, and members of the Body of Christ the Church.
- You may sit anywhere, though filling in toward the front is polite.
- Silence is most appreciated in the Church. The Church is a House of Prayer, please refrain from carrying conversations in the Church.
- Keep your cell phone on silent. Putting your phone on silent will help to avoid embarrassing disruptions during the quieter parts of the Mass. In today’s world, it is difficult to not look at our phones for an hour, but out of respect and reverence, please try to refrain from texting or using the internet while you are present in the house of God.
- Catholics often dip their fingers in holy water and make the sign of the cross upon entering. When entering the pew, it is customary to genuflect (touch right knee to the floor) toward the tabernacle. If you are not Catholic, a respectful bow is acceptable, or you may simply enter the pew.
- Custom dictates that when we have found our seat we kneel in prayer briefly. This is great opportunity to offer to God gratitude/thanksgiving or make our petitions that we intend to pray for during Mass.
- Please leave snacks, gum, and drinks for outside of Mass. It is not appropriate in Mass.
- Dress appropriately. At many important events, there is somewhat of a dress code. A Catholic Mass is one of those events. Your clothes do not have to be fancy, but they should be modest and respectful of the atmosphere of prayer.
Mass Participation-Sit, Stand, Kneel, Repeat
- Attending Catholic Mass involves a two-part service—the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
- All are encouraged to join in hymns and prayers, but if you are a visitor, you may remain silent if you prefer.
- You don’t have to guess what is going on. You can follow along in the missal. Most of the time you will be able to find a book in your pew that will have the readings, prayers, and songs available for you to use in order to follow along with the Mass
- Find a more detailed Order of the Mass here.
Children Are Always Welcome
- Most people love to see babies and children present in the Mass. Little noises, cries, and sounds are a part of the package when it comes to children, but if your child becomes too disruptive it is best to take them to the back of the Church. Remember, that although others think your child is adorable, this is a time set aside for prayer and focusing on God.
- Find some tips for taking children to Mass here.
- There is a cry room located in the rear corner of the Church. This is reserved for those with babies and toddlers.
Communion
- The Church invites everyone present to come forward and receive a blessing during Holy Communion.
- To do this, cross your arms over your chest so that the Priest or Deacon will know not to give you Communion.
- There are many reasons why the Church asks those who have not yet received their First Holy Communion to not partake in this Holy Sacrament.
- Catholics firmly believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Please respect their beliefs by not receiving Communion at this time.
As Mass concludes and the Priest gives a final blessing, we are all asked to wait until the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer has been said. The correct protocol is to wait until the priest processes out of the Church and to follow after him.
We hope that you will enjoy your time spent with the Lord and will have many questions about the ways in which Catholics worship. Please visit our Become Catholic page here if you are interested in OCIA (classes to become Catholic and/or complete Catholic Sacraments).