Visiting a Catholic Church in Los Angeles
Whether you have never been inside a Catholic church, have not been in years, or are simply looking for a church in Los Angeles this Sunday, you are welcome at Mass. Here is what will happen, so that nothing surprises you, and how to find the next Mass near you.
You are welcome
Every Mass is open to anyone. Nobody will ask whether you are Catholic, and nobody will ask you to do anything. You may come in, sit where you like, and stay for as much of the hour as you wish. People arrive late and leave early every Sunday; it is a big city.
What happens at Mass
Mass runs about an hour on Sunday and is the same everywhere in the world, in whatever language it is said. It opens with a hymn and a short prayer of forgiveness. Then come three readings from the Bible, the last of them from one of the Gospels, and a homily, which is the priest's talk on them. After a creed and some prayers, bread and wine are brought to the altar, and the priest says over them the words Jesus said at the Last Supper. Catholics believe that at those words the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Everyone prays the Our Father, wishes those nearby peace, and then Communion is given. A blessing and a final hymn end it.
Sitting, standing, kneeling
The congregation stands for the opening, for the Gospel and for the prayers, sits for the other readings and the homily, and kneels for the central prayer over the bread and wine. Follow the people around you; a beat late is fine. If kneeling is hard, sit.
Communion, if you are not Catholic
Communion is the one part of Mass reserved for Catholics, because for a Catholic it is a statement of shared faith. If you are not Catholic, or a Catholic who has been away and would like to go to confession first, you have two easy choices: stay in your seat while others go forward, or walk up with everyone and cross your arms over your chest. The priest will give you a blessing instead. Both are done at every Mass in Los Angeles every Sunday.
What to wear, what to bring
Whatever you would wear to a family meal. Clean and modest is enough; nobody is checking. Bring nothing. There is no charge, and the collection basket is for those who wish to give. Children are welcome and noisy children are ordinary; many parishes have a cry room at the back.
Languages
Los Angeles celebrates Mass in more languages than any diocese in the country. Spanish is the first language of many parishes, and Mass is also said in Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Armenian, Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Croatian and Latin. The Mass finder marks the language of every Mass it lists, and each parish page says which languages are spoken there.
Which Mass to choose
A Saturday evening Mass, from about four o'clock, is the Sunday vigil and counts as Sunday. Sunday morning Masses are the fullest; a Sunday evening Mass is quieter and often draws students and young adults. A weekday Mass lasts half an hour and is the gentlest way to see what Mass is. The finder shows what is coming next near you and whether you can still make it.
Confession
Confession is for Catholics, and any Catholic who has been away for years can simply go; the priest has heard it all and is glad you came. Most parishes hear confessions on Saturday afternoon and by appointment; the confession finder lists times near you. If you are not Catholic and want to talk to a priest, telephone the parish office, whose number is on every parish page.
Find the next Mass
Or browse every church by city, by neighborhood of Los Angeles, or on the map.