My First Mass

My first mass I ever attended was on Pentecost Sunday in 2005. I was dating someone who was a cradle catholic who informed me that any kids we might have would be raised catholic. I decided I should see for myself how awful this evil church was. I had heard about catholic tradition from movies and books. Everyone is familiar with a Eucharistic scene where the priest "feeds" people little wafers and calls it "the body of Christ". I had seen Mighty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail" (classic), although I admit I didn't know what it was they were looking for since they never actually found it. All in all I only knew what I had heard. I had never met a priest, had never actually seen a nun, I don't think I had even seen a crucifix up close. That was all about to change.
I told him I'd only go if he promised to attend worship with me later at a local coc and he tentatively agreed. So the following Sunday I found myself walking for the first time into a catholic church. It wasn't a grand cathedral or anything that impressive, just a local parish. When I walked in my eyes began to take in all the unfamiliar sights: holy water fonts, stained glass with people wearing weird rings around their heads, and a large crucifix hanging over the altar. We sat in our pew and I began to people watch. I watched families find their pew and bow before entering. I watched them sit down, and hit their knees. They prayed to God when they first got to mass. This struck me in an amazing way because they weren't concerned who was sitting where or who was wearing what, they were setting their focus on Him.
The mass was different to say the least and I didn't know what to say (there's a lot of memorization that goes into the mass), I didn't know these songs, and I had to follow my boyfriend to know when to stand, sit, and kneel. All things considered,.. it was a lot to take in. But I was captivated. I was taken in by the fullness of it all. These people didn't just go through the motions (now don't get me wrong,. sometimes they do) but they were involved physically and emotionally. Everyone prayed together, everyone had lines to add, everyone had a gift to bring.
The Eucharistic part of the mass didn't mean much to me at that point and I just remained in my seat while everyone else went to receive their wafer and sip of wine. But something about the experience as a whole captured my heart and changed me even though I didn't know it yet. All I really knew was how much I couldn't wait to come back.