Are there any Saturday evening Masses in Florence and in Rome? Also mmy son asked if when recieving commumion if it was ok to have the priest place the host in his hands? Does anyone know? Deb
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I would observe how Communion was given( sometimes you can see that although it is placed on the tongue for some, others hold out their hands for it) , and expect to follow suite, I would not ask the Priest to do anything special for me.If it was only placed on tongue, then I would respect that, but if there is a choice shown then of course son can choose to hold out hand. Just my opinion, I don't think asking to be treated differently would be polite when a guest at a service .
Posted by
Coffeyville, KS, US
42 posts
Yes there are Saturday evening masses and also daily masses in Rome and Florence. You didn't say if you were Catholic or not (only Catholics can recieve communion at a mass) but yes they will let you recieve communion in your hands. If you're not Catholic don't let it stop you from attending a mass, some of the most beautiful masses I've been to were in Italy and France.
Posted by
OP
Greenfield, Ma, USA
14 posts
Thank you Lori and Pat for your advice. We are Catholic and we are looking forward to attending Mass in Italy. Just so happens both Sundays on our trip are travel days so Saturday Mass would be more enjoyable. Have a Happy Easter.
Posted by
St Louis
411 posts
There is a 5pm Mass at the Duomo in Florence in English.
Posted by
Peoria, IL, USA
41 posts
Deb-
You might want to check out this site...http://www.masstimes.org/dotnet/Default.aspx
You can search for services by city and language. You can also get maps/directions and links to the parish websites there.
My husband and I have used it when we travel within the US and abroad and have found it to be particularly reliable.
Posted by
Las Vegas, NV, USA
6 posts
Reception in the hand or in the mouth are both acceptable in the Roman Rite. You will have no problem with either one in Italy.
The churches and Masses are so beautiful we ended up going every day. But how to handle the responses? We just quietly gave them in English. No one minds.
One thing I learned is that arriving late can get you locked out. Also, no wearing shorts, bare shoulders, or miniskirts. Don't be shy, you'll be among friends.
We just spent Palm Sunday with the Pope in St. Peter's Square, then Easter Sunday in a 700-year-old neighborhood church in Florence. Subtract the electric lights mentally and you're in exactly the same place, hearing exactly the same Mass, as our ancestors, centuries ago. It can be overwhelming and humbling.
Try to get to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus in Rome. The Archeobus will take you there, from the Termini train station. Another overwhelming experience for Christians.