Mass Etiquette

Saint Joseph Cathedral joyfully welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds to attend our liturgy and participate in our worship. Due to the nature of the liturgy, it is important that the assembly enter into the liturgy with a degree of reverence. To help that endeavor, we offer a few reminders and guidelines for all in the congregation to be conscious of. These are intended to help understand how to best respect the sacredness of the Catholic Mass and help to be respectful of fellow worshippers.

Put Your  Cell Phone on Silent Mode and Keep it Your Pocket. In today’s world, it is difficult to not look at our phones for an hour, but out of respect and reverence, please try to refrain from texting or using your phone (including taking pictures) while you are present in the house of God. It is a sacred space set apart for the worship of God. Putting your phone on silent will help to avoid embarrassing disruptions during the quieter parts of the Mass. Following the Mass today, there will be time for pictures of your loved ones.

Leave Snacks and Drinks for Later.  Catholics maintain a one-hour fast prior to receiving communion. Out of respect for that fast, please refrain from snacking or drinking coffee during the Mass. Eating and drinking can also be very disruptive when others are trying to maintain a prayerful mindset.

Save Conversations for Outside After the Mass. During the liturgy, those around you are praying and listening intently to the voice of God. The Word of God is read, the priest offers his insight, and prayers are said as a community during the Mass. These are all things that the faithful wish to hear. If you are talking, it will disrupt the ability of those around you to focus on God.

Sit. Stand. Kneel. Repeat. Mass is an active event. While knowing the correct steps may be difficult to keep track of at first, simply follow the lead of those in the pews around you. We sit to listen, stand to welcome (Christ in the Gospel reading), and kneel—as St. Paul says, “before the Father, from whom every family on Earth derives its name” (Eph 3:14).

How About Hand Position?  The correct posture for your hands during the Mass is either at your sides or in the prayer (hands together) position. The proper position during the Lord’s Prayer is hands together in the prayer position. The ‘orans’ position (with hands raised/extended) is a position properly used only by the priest.

You don’t have to guess what is going on. The worship aid section of the bulletin contains the music and much of the responses to the Mass settings. You are welcome and encouraged to sing and pray along with us.

The Sign of Peace: Different Christian communities exchange the sign of peace during the service. However, in the Diocese of Manchester, the mutual exchange of the sign of peace (which is an optional part of the Mass) is not practiced. The greeting of peace is made only by the celebrant. Please respectfully refrain from this mutual greeting unless instructed by the celebrant.

What To Do During Communion? Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Please read the Guidelines for the Reception of Holy Communion.

For those who cannot receive Eucharist at this time, we welcome you to join in our liturgy, to pray and sing with us. We ask that you please remain in the pew during the Communion Procession, offering your heartfelt prayers to our God of love and mercy and for unity in our world and community.

Children are always welcome!  We welcome people of all ages here. We especially welcome our young families. Little noises, cries, and sounds are a part of the package when it comes to children. However, if your child becomes too disruptive for your own comfort, feel free to use the vestibule area at the back of the church to comfort and sooth your child.

Please Dress appropriately. In our comfortable and casual culture, we sometimes forget that we shouldn’t wear yoga pants and flip flops everywhere. At many important events, there is a dress code. A Catholic Mass is one of those events. Mass is meant to be attended in your Sunday best. Your clothes don’t have to be fancy, but they should be modest and respectful of the atmosphere of prayer.

Please Remove Your Hat.   It is considered disrespectful for a man to cover his head in church. This includes any type of hat or hoodie. (Conversely, a veil worn by a woman is associated with modesty and purity.)

Wait until the priest exits before you leave the Mass. The correct protocol is to wait until the liturgical procession has exited the sanctuary. Please be respectful of those who choose to stay in the church for quiet prayer after the conclusion of Mass. Exit quietly and save conversations until you are outside.

Be safe.  Know where the closest exit is in case of an emergency and do not let your child go downstairs to use the restrooms unattended.