I went to church yesterday, with one of my visitors who attends church regularly. It was the Eucharist service.
I got very befuddled with all the sung responses and the standing up and sitting down. I didn't know any of the hymns except one and that was sung in too high a key for me. I sat alone whilst everyone went to receive the communion but didn't feel conspicuous.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of sitting in an ancient, beautiful building with the sun streaming through the stained glass windows. The words and deeds meant very little to me and I just lost myself in the serenity of the environment. I did enjoy the sermon though.
I'm glad I went but I won't be making a habit of it.
Tilly at 7.something. One of the huge differences between Protestants and R.Cs. is the transubstantiation issue, goes back to Henry VIII and the whole split with the Pope. Protestants regard the bread and wine as symbolic; R.C.'s as literal. We have one member of the congregation who is an R.C. (married to one of the churchwardens) and he cannot bring...
//I'm glad I went but I won't be making a habit of it.//
You won't becoming a nun then, Tilly :-)
BTW, I had the misfortune of attending a catholic requiem mass. Lots of incense, water being splashed everywhere and ringing bells. There was also plenty standing up, sitting down and responding .
A requiem Mass is no longer than 1 hour, unless it is for a Bishop or someone of high standing. The incense smells beautiful and there is not much Holy Water sprinkled.
The service is for the deceased, not a peepshow.
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