Burton Axxe
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April-May 2023
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That is perfect advice. We have done 3 caminos. We go to pilgrim mass whenever we can. And we are not Catholic.My husband and I are not Catholic, but try to never miss an opportunity to attend Mass on the Camino-- especially Pilgrim Mass. Just go. If you don't understand Spanish that is fine. Stand up and sit down with the others. Sing or hum along as you are able with the music. If you are not Catholic, don't take communion, but stand in front of the priest with your arms crossed which is the sign to ask for a blessing. Often at the end Pilgrims will be called up for a special blessing in a Pilgrims Mass.
It is simple and usually the church is cool. Use the time for your meditation or prayer as you wish.
As hospitaleros our work often involves taking other pilgrims to evening mass for those who want to attend. Many are hesitant because they don't know what to do so it is nice to go with someone else. At Grañón, we attended every evening and became part of the regular evening congregation which with pilgrims sometimes doubled attendence. It was a lovely and special time.
If you wish to do so, you can watch the live broadcast from the Cathedral of Santiago. Mass at 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 are usually broadcast every day.Living in rural Japan, there is little chance for me to observe RC liturgy
Apart from all the good advice others have already shared, you might find this document useful. It's a bilingual mass guide. On the left, you can see what the priest would be saying in Spanish; and the English translation is on the right.I’m best described as a lapsed Christian. I grew up in a North American baptist tradition and walked away in my late 20s. I’m hoping that my upcoming (first) Camino will allow me to re-connect, if not with my previous beliefs, at least with something more mystical and transcendent than the norms of my life.
For those reasons, I look forward to the masses, blessings, and other liturgical church-based ‘events’ that surround the Camino. The problem is, while I know my theology and church history well, I have little grasp as to how Mass and other liturgical events are conducted. As a pilgrim, can someone offer a primer as to what I’m expected to do/say during these events?
But the way it's done n one country might not be the way it's done in others. I recommend folks with Burton's concern just sit (stand/kneel) behind everyone else and try to do what they do. (Or just watch. I am not Roman Catholic, but most of the misa is consistent with my beliefs. So I do and say most of it, but for one or two of the sayings, I just remain silent.)… My suggestion is to go into a local Catholic Church where you live. There should be some form of a mass booklet available. Not sure about Japan? Go to a mass or two in your native language while home. Follow the Roman Catholic rite. You may also find other Christian Celebrations in the larger towns.
I'm surprised you omitted the suggestion for people not R.C. to not partake of the Eucharist. I overheard some very angry muttering when someone who isn't got in line at a funeral mass.Catholic priest here. (much good advice skipped)
Actually, the RC Church has made quite a few inroads in rural Japan (I say it from first-hand knowledge of living and visiting there!). In fact, at Mass in one of the smaller churches in Japan, the priest would be a valuable resource for your questions. In Fukui, we were often a small group of less than a dozen at the English-language Mass.OP here.
Thanks for the helpful and informative comments thus far.
Living in rural Japan, there is little chance for me to observe RC liturgy. I’m more than familiar with Buddhist and Shinto practices but do not want to look like a complete fool when partaking in mass on the Camino.
It’s a pleasure to read this. Clearly many are welcoming of participation and less hung-up on the technicalities than others.Catholic priest here.
1. You are welcome into any open Catholic Church to pray. (I often found that churches in Spain were locked when not in use for Mass, except in the largest towns.)
2. If there are candles available, anyone may light one and offer a prayer, presuming they leave an offering to cover the cost of the candle and a little extra gift for the parish.
3. During Mass, stand, sit, and kneel (or sit when others kneel if you prefer) as others do. No one is watching you. Be at peace.
4. If you don’t speak, Spanish, feel free to offer your own prayer intentions during Mass, do deep breathing exercises, or any other spiritual practice that doesn’t require movement. The churches are often old and beautiful, and are intended to be an aid to the spirit of your prayer.
5. If you have a smart phone and Wifi, you can open up the webpage that has the day’s readings for most Catholic churches in the world. Sometimes (not too often) there will be a local feast with different readings, but if you don’t know Spanish, you won’t know that anyway. Readings can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading and will be accurate for your needs 95% of the time. The readings start when people sit down for the first time after Mass has started. Feel free to read along in English.
6. Please do not carry on conversations, even quiet ones, during Mass. If your phone rings, move outside before answering it, although it would be best if you simply turned the ringer off before entering the church.
7. If, at any time during the Mass, they ask for pilgrims, peregrinos, to stand or come forward, feel free to participate. Most everyone presumes the goodwill of pilgrims in process, and could care less if you are Catholic or not. Let the blessings overflow.
8. Offer goodwill, and expect to receive it.
As the BBC would have to say these days ‘other religions, or none, are also available’Catholic Mass is not just for the Camino! Seek out Mass at your own local Catholic church to help you remember the peace that you found on the Camino.
-Paul
How is Mass conducted - a non controversial outlineI have little grasp as to how Mass and other liturgical events are conducted. As a pilgrim, can someone offer a primer as to what I’m expected to do/say during these events?
Very helpful and clear. Thanks.How is Mass conducted - a non controversial outline
Firstly, in some places Mass also has a name derived from the Greek, Eucharist which, being translated, means Thanksgiving.
And Mass / Eucharist is conducted in Roman Catholic and Anglican / Episcopalian and Lutheran churches.
With some minor exceptions the language is that of the place (English, French, Italian, Spanish, whatever)
On a Sunday the service has four main parts:
And, of course, with musicians present, several songs may be interspersed.
- Gathering - we apologise for mistakes since we last met and say a song from down the ages
- Readings/Teaching/Prayers - read a psalm and three Bible passages set down for the day, hear a sermon/homily, we say a statement of faith (creed) and offers prayers for the church and the world
- Eucharist and Communion - consecrate the bread and wine, say the Our Father/Lord's Prayer, receive the consecrated bread and wine (in times of communicable disease this is often not done)
- Sending out - final prayer, blessing and dismissal
A weekday Eucharist usually has a lighter 'weight' - two readings, short homily (if any) and one or no songs.
Other liturgical events is harder to cover. I would take this to cover the three main "offices" during the day. These are Morning Prayer (Matins), Evening Prayer (Evensong) and Night Prayer (Compline). Apart from some hostels, I have not encountered these on camino. And then they are usually in a form devised by the leader and so easy (in my experience) to follow.
As to what are you expected to say?
My suggestion is listen.
Or as one of the Gospels say "mark, learn and inwardly digest".
So, @Burton Axxe, I say to you kia kaha, kia māia, kia mana'wa'nui (take care, be strong, confident and patient)
I try to say "la paz sea contigo" (peace be with you) in my best Spanish.The only thing I would add to an otherwise comprehensive list of things to do is that you may find that the congregation will exchange a sign of peace with those around them at some point in the service. In earlier times this might have been a polite embrace, but now is going to be a double-handed handclasp, ie not a handshake. I normally say 'peace be with you' or if I am responding 'and also with you'.
Someone asked me the name of the churches in both Sarria and Viana that offer Pilgrim Mass.My husband and I are not Catholic, but try to never miss an opportunity to attend Mass on the Camino-- especially Pilgrim Mass. Just go. If you don't understand Spanish that is fine. Stand up and sit down with the others. Sing or hum along as you are able with the music. If you are not Catholic, don't take communion, but stand in front of the priest with your arms crossed which is the sign to ask for a blessing. Often at the end Pilgrims will be called up for a special blessing in a Pilgrims Mass.
It is simple and usually the church is cool. Use the time for your meditation or prayer as you wish.
As hospitaleros our work often involves taking other pilgrims to evening mass for those who want to attend. Many are hesitant because they don't know what to do so it is nice to go with someone else. At Grañón, we attended every evening and became part of the regular evening congregation which with pilgrims sometimes doubled attendence. It was a lovely and special time.
Santa Maria in Viana. I don't know if there priest currently does pilgrim mass. I heard a rumor the one who was doing that in 2016 had passed on. Not sure about Sarria as we did not stay there.Someone asked me the name of the churches in both Sarria and Viana that offer Pilgrim Mass.
I could lead them to each one, but don't know the names.
Does anyone here know the names of those churches?
Thanks
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