First Mass
Our first Mass:
Our first mass was at the Westminster Abbey in Mission, BC. We were going to be down in Abby and on the Coast to visit with my Grandpa and so I thought I would try to get into a Mass while down there (if you're reading this in the future and have no idea about Covid-19), it has been a "pandemic" where things have been shut down, including church buildings. Now that the government is relaxing some of these restrictions, places are allowed to open, as long as there are 50 people or less.
So, having said that, I contacted the Westminster Abbey to see if we would be able to get in for Mass.
Father Leo contacted me and found out who we are and what is up with us (new to the Catholic Church), he then said he would email some people and see if they would be willing to give up their spots for us to attend.
It didn't take long before he got back to me and advised me that some people had given up their spot for us to attend.
We are so grateful for those that did.
When we arrived:
It was different than a Protestant Church (or at least most of my experiences in Protestantism), it was solemn, and quiet and peaceful.
Everyone found a spot.
And the Mass was such a fascinating time!
There was lot's of Scripture read, the congregants were participating with what they would say after the Priest would say certain things.
We would stand at certain parts (out of reverence), we would kneel at certain parts (also out of reverence).
During the Eucharist (it means Thanksgiving), also called communion, I went up for a blessing from the Priest (when we arrived there was a fellow out front who was signing everyone in, he also gave me the run down about if I wanted to be blessed by the Priest during communion to go up to the Priest and cross my arms so he knew that I wasn't there for communion, but for a blessing), so I went up, and that same fellow who had been greeting us when we came, he was standing close to where I was which was helpful as he then directed me to where I was standing.
When I sat back down (I had been the first up as I sat at the front left, which then was first to go up for communion) I was watching the people receive the body of the Lord Jesus, I had tears in my eyes, I noticed that my 7 year old was looking up at me as well, I didn't turn to her, I just let her watch as then I thought maybe she would ask about it later and why I had tears in my eyes.
It was such a neat experience to see this.
And then the Priest drank the wine as well.
I was wondering if that is normal, or if there are times outside of this Covid time where everyone also drinks?
So, I was taken aback that there was reverence, and respect, everything was done in a very orderly fashion, yet there was so much humility (everyone confessed about being sinners and prayed out loud together), and the (I was distracted by children in the middle of this thought...)...as I think it through even further and talk it over with my wife, I will update this.
When the Priest held up the wafer, that was a really neat experience and sense that I got.
Basically the overall sense that I got was that through the whole thing Christ was exalted, we were humble, and it was all about Jesus.
Our first mass was at the Westminster Abbey in Mission, BC. We were going to be down in Abby and on the Coast to visit with my Grandpa and so I thought I would try to get into a Mass while down there (if you're reading this in the future and have no idea about Covid-19), it has been a "pandemic" where things have been shut down, including church buildings. Now that the government is relaxing some of these restrictions, places are allowed to open, as long as there are 50 people or less.
So, having said that, I contacted the Westminster Abbey to see if we would be able to get in for Mass.
Father Leo contacted me and found out who we are and what is up with us (new to the Catholic Church), he then said he would email some people and see if they would be willing to give up their spots for us to attend.
It didn't take long before he got back to me and advised me that some people had given up their spot for us to attend.
We are so grateful for those that did.
When we arrived:
It was different than a Protestant Church (or at least most of my experiences in Protestantism), it was solemn, and quiet and peaceful.
Everyone found a spot.
And the Mass was such a fascinating time!
There was lot's of Scripture read, the congregants were participating with what they would say after the Priest would say certain things.
We would stand at certain parts (out of reverence), we would kneel at certain parts (also out of reverence).
During the Eucharist (it means Thanksgiving), also called communion, I went up for a blessing from the Priest (when we arrived there was a fellow out front who was signing everyone in, he also gave me the run down about if I wanted to be blessed by the Priest during communion to go up to the Priest and cross my arms so he knew that I wasn't there for communion, but for a blessing), so I went up, and that same fellow who had been greeting us when we came, he was standing close to where I was which was helpful as he then directed me to where I was standing.
When I sat back down (I had been the first up as I sat at the front left, which then was first to go up for communion) I was watching the people receive the body of the Lord Jesus, I had tears in my eyes, I noticed that my 7 year old was looking up at me as well, I didn't turn to her, I just let her watch as then I thought maybe she would ask about it later and why I had tears in my eyes.
It was such a neat experience to see this.
And then the Priest drank the wine as well.
I was wondering if that is normal, or if there are times outside of this Covid time where everyone also drinks?
So, I was taken aback that there was reverence, and respect, everything was done in a very orderly fashion, yet there was so much humility (everyone confessed about being sinners and prayed out loud together), and the (I was distracted by children in the middle of this thought...)...as I think it through even further and talk it over with my wife, I will update this.
When the Priest held up the wafer, that was a really neat experience and sense that I got.
Basically the overall sense that I got was that through the whole thing Christ was exalted, we were humble, and it was all about Jesus.
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