re: Planning on Attending Good Friday Mass for the First Time.

Nothing weird at all about being there! It’s His church! You and everyone else belongs there and is welcome there! There are non Catholics at every mass. We’re all Christians.

My advice though is to trust the process prior to receiving communion. There’s too much to try to describe here so I’ll come up with my best analogy for it.
Think of it as allowing the anticipation for your wedding night to build and use the time between now and that first time you receive to learn everything you can about the blessed sacrament. Your graces will overflow. At any rate, I’ll be praying for your discernment in this season of renewal


And congrats and welcome!!

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What happens during Easter vigil?

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It's probably THE most sacred Mass for the entire liturgical year, but it's also 3 hours long. New converts are welcomed into the church during the vigil service, and some have to be baptized if they have never been baptized.

It's basically like a normal mass, but way more scripture readings, plus the confirmation of baptized converts, and the confirmation and baptism of non-baptized converts.

The Sunday morning service might be better suited for you as a newcomer if you can't sit for 3 hours.

Personally, I like the vigil more, but I remember attending the vigil as an anti-catholic fundamentalist Baptist 5 years ago and hating it. I love it now that I'm Catlic.

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you are excluded from drinking blood and eating human flesh.

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It’s a cannibalistic ritual

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So you admit that the bread and wine are transubstantiated into the flesh and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

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a guy they murdered

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That would be the Jews and the Roman Empire, hoss. Swing and a miss.

its a rite passed down from Jesus at the Last Supper. Catholics or Protestants didnt kill Jesus the Jews did

Vigil is a long mass but the Easter vigil when I converted is a service I will remember until the day I die. I can still smell the chrism oils.

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Nice smartass comment, tho fig.

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You're going to fit in great with us.

Sure. And most of those crucified lasted 3-4 days of agony, their legs broken by the Centurian guards so they couldn’t stand to ease the pain.

But Jesus gave up the ghost after only 6 hours.

What’s the deal with that?

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but I remember attending the vigil as an anti-catholic fundamentalist Baptist 5 years ago and hating it.

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Oh wow, I had no idea. You made a 180.

Our Saviors Church in Lafayette is a great place if you live in the area.
Very simple practical messages that help walk in a more full life

There will be so many people at whatever Mass you decide to attend that they won’t notice you’re not Catholic.
I’m not Catholic and go with my family every week and it’s fine. I don’t take communion and it’s not a weird thing at all. In fact in some cultures they absolutely don’t take communion unless they’ve had confession - so it’s not out of the norm I don’t go up. You could literally say and do nothing but stand / sit / kneel when everyone else does and no one will know you’re not Catholic. I’ve found at most Catholic Churches it’s not like at MANY other denominations where you walk in the door and if they don’t recognize you they come and talk to you and kind of corner you in a friendly way - Catholics don’t do that. Not badmouthing it - it’s very nice and welcoming but if I’m anxious already about being at a new church that can be a bit much for me.
You’ll be fine.
Good Friday is a very solemn service.
Easter vigil or Easter morning would be a more joyous occasion. Up to you.
I hope you enjoy, no matter which you decide to attend.