Active Interior Participation at Mass?

[cadet17]

Hi! I’ve been going to the Novus Ordo masses for years, and I’ve only just recently started going to the Tridentine masses at the FSSP chapel. How do I invest myself in the mass. I know that the responses aren’t mandatory and are typically reserved for the altar servers, but I know it is possible to be deeply involved in the mass by just being in the congregation following along with the mass. Can you veterans explain to me how to actively participate in the silence?

 

[Usige]

You participate by joining your prayers to those of the priest and all the faithful. I think we put to much focus of active participation being in outward action (singing, response, reading, etc). Regardless if we are attending Mass in the ordinary or extraordinary form our primary participation should be through prayer.

 

[corsair]

Many people who are transitioning from the OF to the EF will find it easier if they pick up one of the red missalettes, normally provided in the back of the church. Try following along with the priest. Don’t worry if you get lost. There are several “signal points” along the way. Most of the FSSP parishes print and insert a copy of the Mass Propers each week. These help to maintain your prayers by joining them with the priest who is offering the Mass to God on our behalf. Some of the “signal points” are the Kyrie, Gospel, Credo, Sanctus, Consecration, second Confiteor, Domimne Non Sum Dignus.

These all help me stay up with the priest.

Regards responding with the Altar boys; there are no cut and dried rubrics for the laity. Custom has set a “sort of” rule that we don’t respond. However, at our FSSP satellite parish, about 30% of the laity responds. So if you want to do so there is nothing against it.