Advice for first EF Mass?

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PerfectTiming

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I’m planning on attending an EF Mass for the first time on Saturday. They’re not held regularly in my parish so it’s a golden opportunity - if only it wasn’t at 8AM!

I’m a little bit nervous so I’m just kind of looking for any pointers.
I already cover my head for Mass anyway so that’s not an issue.

What is the standard way to receive Communion at an EF Mass? As I understand it is kneeling and on the tongue - am I correct? If so, where/when does one kneel?

Also, I don’t know any Latin. Will this be a big impediment to my understanding/enjoyment of the Mass?

Thank you and God Bless!
 
PerfectTiming said:
I’m planning on attending an EF Mass for the first time on Saturday. They’re not held regularly in my parish so it’s a golden opportunity - if only it wasn’t at 8AM!

I’m a little bit nervous so I’m just kind of looking for any pointers.
I already cover my head for Mass anyway so that’s not an issue.

What is the standard way to receive Communion at an EF Mass? As I understand it is kneeling and on the tongue - am I correct? If so, where/when does one kneel?

Also, I don’t know any Latin. Will this be a big impediment to my understanding/enjoyment of the Mass?

Thank you and God Bless!
Click to expand...
Do you know if it is going to be a low mass or sung mass?
 
PerfectTiming said:
I’m planning on attending an EF Mass for the first time on Saturday. They’re not held regularly in my parish so it’s a golden opportunity - if only it wasn’t at 8AM!

I’m a little bit nervous so I’m just kind of looking for any pointers.
I already cover my head for Mass anyway so that’s not an issue.

What is the standard way to receive Communion at an EF Mass? As I understand it is kneeling and on the tongue - am I correct? If so, where/when does one kneel?

Also, I don’t know any Latin. Will this be a big impediment to my understanding/enjoyment of the Mass?

Thank you and God Bless!
Click to expand...
#1 - Don’t be nervous! You probably won’t be the only 1st timer there!

#2 - Yes, you receive on the tongue, while kneeling…

You kneel at the altar rail (if there is one) or there will be a place set up with kneelers (prie dieus). Follow what others are doing.

The priest says to you (in Latin) “May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting. Amen”

You receive without saying Amen. The priest says it for you.

#3 - They will most likely have a booklet to help you follow along. Also, they might repeat the readings in English (vernacular). I think you will enjoy it either way. 🙂

PAX
 
PerfectTiming said:
I’m planning on attending an EF Mass for the first time on Saturday. They’re not held regularly in my parish so it’s a golden opportunity - if only it wasn’t at 8AM!
Click to expand...
Considering the day and time, this will likely be a Low Mass.
PerfectTiming said:
I’m a little bit nervous so I’m just kind of looking for any pointers.
Click to expand...
Nothing to be nervous about. 🙂
PerfectTiming said:
What is the standard way to receive Communion at an EF Mass? As I understand it is kneeling and on the tongue - am I correct? If so, where/when does one kneel?
Click to expand...
Yes, that’s right. The communicants normally kneel at the altar rail. If there is no altar rail, it’s often the case that several prie-dieus are lined up in front of the altar to simulate one. As for the timing, there are normally ushers to help but, if not, just follow the other communicants.
PerfectTiming said:
Also, I don’t know any Latin. Will this be a big impediment to my understanding/enjoyment of the Mass?
Click to expand...
It should not be a problem. Many if not most churches offering the Usus Antiquior will supply paper-back missals which contain at least the Ordinary in dual-column Latin-vernacular format.
 
PerfectTiming said:
No idea. All the bulletin says in “Mass in Extraordinary Form”.
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Ok. No problem.

In the low mass, the laity spends a lot of the time kneeling. Just do as everyone else does.

Here is a video of a low mass.

Here is an example of a sung mass (missa cantata).

Communion

Communion is received kneeling and on the tongue. Just follow the guy in front of you on the communion line. 😃

The priest will say
Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam aeternam. Amen.
Click to expand...
You do not say Amen after receiving as you do in the OF.

If you’d like to take a look at rubrics, you can visit SanctaMissa.org

Hope this helps.
 
PerfectTiming said:
No idea. All the bulletin says in “Mass in Extraordinary Form”.
Click to expand...
I’m guessing a weekly Saturday EF held at 8am would be a Low Mass, but then it since it’s a rare event as you say, it may very well be a Missa Cantata or even a Solemn High Mass, with a deacon and subdeacon.

And no, not knowing Latin shouldn’t be much of a problem if you have a handmissal or one of those booklets they pass around. At least I hope they provide you with some sort of handout.

Also if you have a communion rail, you’re all set. Otherwise they may have some sort of kneeler for those who will be receiving.
 
ProVobis said:
I.

And no, not knowing Latin shouldn’t be much of a problem if you have a handmissal or one of those booklets they pass around. At least I hope they provide you with some sort of handouts.
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PerfectTiming, even if you don’t understand, you can always absorb everything that is going on and pray. The environment itself is conducive to prayer.

You’ll love it!
 
The best thing to do is to go and and NOT try to follow along. You will get frustrated, especially if it is a low Mass. It eventually gets easier after a couple times attending.

Just go, pray, and don’t worry.
 
Just do what everyone else does.

This is one of the best examples of Low Mass you can find on Youtube:

youtube.com/watch?v=ilx9TwMa87s

I’m thinking it’ll probably be a low mass. Do watch the whole thing. Three videos, only about 30 minutes total.
 
I really hope you enjoy it and find it spiritually nourishing.

When I went for the first time I tried to follow along in the missal and got lost quickly. I suggest you don’t spend this mass trying to figure out on what page you are supposed to be, but instead immerse yourself in prayer. Perhaps turn to the handout (they are often provided) for the epistle and gospel reading. You will obviously recognise certain parts of the mass and let that guide you. One of the beautiful things about the EF mass is that it flows, from beginning to end. The OF is chopped up into bits and the faithful are guided through it step by step. In the EF the key is to go with that flow and pray. It is a very different experience, very meditative.

Please come back and let us know how it went. 🙂
 
TrueLight said:
Thanks for posting this. It truly is beautiful. They have beautiful voices too.

Gives me the chills!
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Yes, it was very good. I think it’s good to have a stark contrast between the levels of celebration. When we sing and have a booming organ at every mass, Christmas, Easter, etc., become less meaningful to the senses, and thus, at least subconsciously, to the mind.

I like the voices too. They sound French to me. Best part was the consecration. “Hoc… est… en-eem… cor-puus… me-uum.”

Also, isn’t it refreshing to see a very young priest?
 
Contra_Mundum said:
I’d love to hear about the OP’s impressions. 🙂
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Insanely disappointing . . . I didn’t make it. I had a really bad night and didn’t sleep much so when my alarm went off I sleep straight through it. I was absolutely devastated when I woke up realising it was too late. 😦 I’ll have to keep your advice in mind for the next time my parish holds an EF Mass.
 
Oh no, that’s too bad. Hopefully next time it will not be so early.
 
There’s another one this evening! It’s at 7pm which is a much more reasonable to be time to be awake! Anyway I’m very excited. 😃
 
Hi,

I haven’t been to an EF Mass in over 40 years. I am wondering about the proper dress. Is a head covering the norm for the women? Are dress slacks appropriate? I would like to try to get to one in the next month. Thanks I still have the Latin Rite Missal.
 
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