Since I'm in the process of becoming a Catholic, to what extent can I participate at Sunday Mass?

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Randy Richmond wrote:

Hi, guys —

I'll be starting RCIA classes and next Easter I plan on:

receiving my First Communion, and
being confirmed.

I'm 32 and my wife is Catholic. I go to Mass with her and I'm wondering how I should participate in the Mass in reference to the signs and gestures, etc.

I know I can't receive Holy Communion, but to what extent can I participate in the rest of the Mass?

Thanks,

Randy

{ Since I'm in the process of becoming a Catholic, to what extent can I participate at Sunday Mass? }

Eric replied:

Hi, Randy —

You may fully participate in the Mass except for any sacraments, including the Eucharist.

Instead, make a Spiritual Communion, that is to say, ask to receive Jesus's Body and Blood spiritually.

Spiritual Communion

O Lord Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

I love you above all things, (with all my mind, with all my heart, and with all my soul).
I love you because you are infinitely good and worthy of all my love.

Since I cannot receive You now sacramentally, at least come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace myself entirely to You and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Come Lord Jesus and glorify Yourself through my weak, broken body.

Amen.

You may meditate on:

taking the cup of salvation (Psalm 116)
eating from the Tree of Life (Genesis 2 and 3)
consuming the Paschal Lamb of God (Exodus 12)
becoming a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4)
receiving the medicine of immortality (St. Ignatius of Antioch)
having the coal from the altar in Heaven touch your lips (Isaiah 6:5-7)
consuming the manna from Heaven (Exodus 16), or any of these Eucharistic images.

I pray your classes will go well.

If you wish to go deeper, in understanding what we believe as Catholic Christians, consider buying a cheap copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to learn all the basic teachings and beliefs.

Eric

Mary Ann replied:

Randy —

You may fully participate in Mass, except for receiving Holy Communion, which is the sign of full Communion with the Church. This will happen next Easter.

During the RCIA process, they sometimes have the unbaptized leave after the Liturgy of the Word, but there is no requirement that they cannot attend the whole Mass.

Mary Ann

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