Saints LightGuide
Going to Mass for the first time
Everyone is welcome at Mass. You do not need to know anything to come, and nobody expects you to. Here is what will happen and how to take part.
Arriving
- Arrive ten minutes early. Dress as you would for something that matters to you.
- Catholics dip a finger in holy water at the door and make the Sign of the Cross. You may too, or simply walk in.
- Before sitting, Catholics genuflect (touch the right knee to the floor) toward the tabernacle. A bow is fine if you cannot kneel.
- Sit wherever you like. Sitting near the middle lets you follow what others do.
During Mass
- Follow the people around you: stand, sit and kneel when they do. Nobody will mind a mistake.
- The first half is the Liturgy of the Word: readings from the Bible and a homily. The second half is the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
- Most churches have a booklet or a screen with the responses.
- The whole Mass usually lasts about an hour on Sunday.
At communion
- Only Catholics in a state of grace receive Communion. This is not a judgment on you; it expresses full unity of faith.
- If you are not receiving, you may stay in your seat and pray, or, where the parish allows, go forward with your arms crossed over your chest for a blessing.
- Catholics who receive fast from food for one hour before Communion.
Afterwards
- Stay until the priest has left the church at the end.
- If you want to know more, talk to the priest at the door or ask the parish office about OCIA.
Your next step
Other guides
- How to learn with Saints Light
- How to go to Confession
- How to pray the Rosary
- Examination of Conscience
- How to start reading the Bible
- Becoming Catholic, or coming home
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