One of the beautiful things about the Mass is its universality. I have attended Mass in four different languages, two of which I don’t speak, and had no trouble following the liturgy. On that point, have no fear.
As an American living in France for twelve years, I can tell you I have never seen anything “small and cultural” in a French Mass. That said, my experience with the Church in France is limited to metropolitan areas (Paris, Lille and the Riviera). Perhaps things are
sometimes done differently, in
some rural areas. So YMMV. But I think your self-proclaimed irrational fear is just that—irrational. You’ll be fine, and will adjust quickly to any particular local customs you may encounter. :yup: Remember that France is a major destination for tourists so the French are used to having foreigners among them, even in many rural areas. I have also found that practicing Catholics in France are among the kindest and most patient people you will find anywhere!
For the past two years I’ve been blessed with the responsibilities of a sacristan so I have come to know the celebration of the Mass in my archdiocese quite well, down to the most minute detail. If you have any specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer them but I preface that offer with the caveat that I can only speak for the area in which I live. Things could be different elsewhere in the country.
For videos of OF Masses in French, try the
YouTube channel of KTO TV. Here is one of
Mass at Notre-Dame de Paris on the Fifth Sunday of Lent this year (6th April). As this Mass was offered in the cathedral of the capital of the country by the Archbishop of Paris, André Cardinal Vingt-Trois, it’s about as far away from the average Sunday Mass in the sticks as one can get
but should at least give you an idea of a Mass offered in French.
This is
Vespers and the anticipated Mass at St-Gervais for Palm Sunday 2014 (11th April). Though I don’t know which St-Gervais church this is—probably the one in the 4th
arrondissement in Paris—at least it will show you a Mass offered somewhere less well known than Notre-Dame by a priest less “prominent” than Msgr. Vingt-Trois.
Missals. Okay, yes, they do exist in France.
I have never seen a missalette in a French church, though, so if you want printed materials to help you follow along with the liturgy you’ll have to bring them yourself. If your Mass attendance will be limited to Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (HDOs), you can pick up the
Missel des dimanches 2014 which is in use now through the end of the liturgical year (the Feast of Christ the King, 23rd November this year). I would be happy to mail you a copy free of charge; please send me a PM if you’re interested. The 2015 edition should be available sometime in September or October.
For Mass during the week, a subscription to
in French*Magnificat * would see you through. This is one of the tools my pastor and I both use in preparation of weekday Mass in our parish. It does also include the readings for Sundays and HDOs so if you intend to regularly attend Mass during the week you could use
Magnificat exclusively and dispense with the
Missel des dimanches mentioned above. An annual subscription to the French edition delivered in mainland France (including Corsica, I believe) costs 38€.
There are, of course, perpetual missals as well for both Sundays/HDOs and Mass during the week, but your post indicates your stay in France is temporary so there’s probably no reason to make such an investment when alternatives exist.
By now I may have completely overwhelmed you
so I’ll stop. But do feel free to ask any questions you may still have and I’ll do my best to help. God bless!
