Before you go
Check the parish website for the actual Mass time, address, and any access information you need. A church may have several buildings or a weekday chapel. Arriving about ten minutes early gives you time to find a seat and ask an usher where the worship aid is. Silence your phone before entering.
Choose a place where you can see and hear. If you are bringing a child, using a mobility aid, or feeling anxious about unfamiliar surroundings, tell an usher what would help. You do not need to sit in the front or memorize the responses to make your first visit worthwhile.
The order of Mass, at a glance
The introductory rites gather the congregation in prayer. In the Liturgy of the Word, the assembly hears Scripture, listens to the homily, and prays for the Church and the world. Sunday Mass normally includes a profession of faith.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist includes preparing the gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Communion rite. The concluding rites include a blessing and dismissal. Seeing this overall movement can help you find your place when the individual responses are unfamiliar. [1]
Standing, sitting, and following along
Use the worship aid when it helps, and set it aside when searching for the right page distracts you from listening. Notice what the congregation is doing, without worrying if you respond a moment late. If a posture is difficult for you, ask about an accessible place and participate as you are able.
For a first visit, choose one thing to pay attention to: the Gospel, a phrase from the homily, or the silence after Communion. Trying to decode every object and gesture at once can make it harder to be present. Keep your questions for a conversation afterward.
What should a visitor do at Communion?
Attending Mass and receiving Communion are different things. Catholics prepare to receive according to the Church’s sacramental discipline. Most other Christians do not receive Catholic Communion; specific exceptions require pastoral guidance. Non-Christians do not receive. Remaining in your seat in prayer is an appropriate choice when you are not receiving.
If you are a Catholic returning after a long absence, speak with a priest about preparation and confession. Do not assume that everyone standing up is an instruction for you to receive. Ask the parish beforehand if you are unsure. [2]
A first-visit checklist
Before leaving home: confirm the time, route, and entrance. At church: silence your phone, find a seat, and pick up a worship aid if one is available. During Mass: listen, join the prayers you know, and remain in your seat at Communion if you are not receiving.
Afterward, write down one question rather than trying to remember ten. Ask a parishioner or contact the parish office. If you would like to explore becoming Catholic, ask about adult initiation, often called OCIA. A second visit will already feel less unfamiliar.
Sources & further reading
Mass explanations describe the Roman Rite; local norms can differ. Our editorial approach · Suggest a correction.