hi there Tomarin,
Thought I’d give a little description of my first time at a TLM this sunday just gone, for a fellow first timer:
After a few weeks of deliberation, I found that there are only two TLM churches near me, both around 20 miles away, not exactly ages away, so I ventured to one of them, which I have been recommended by a fellow CAF Poster after finding directions with an internet routefinder.
I have to say it was really different (obviously!) as I am so used to the NO mass, having grown up with it over the 20 years ive been alive!
I can say, though, that I am waiting for a Missal, the Baronius Press one is out of print until september, and I want that one, but I went along anyway, thinking I could just quietly and reverently observe if I struggled to follow what was happening.
Let me say that you don’t really need a Missal in your first mass, (the church I attended had copies of the order of mass anyway, so the congregation could follow) it is not really necessary to have one to get a feel of whats going on, but it does help to know what Father is saying/praying
As for the mass, I really loved it!
Yes, it was a struggle to hear the Priest and keep up, but this just taught me to sit nearer to the front in future
I have posted before saying how I have been attracted to the TLM for a long while because, as a 20 year old Catholic, all I have ever experienced is the NO mass, and whilst I now attend a very reverent parish, with a traditional church, I felt there was something lacking, and I thought that maybe I had a traditionalist yearning, it seems I may have been right after sunday.
Being completely new to reciveing the blessed sacrament in the traditional way was a bit daunting, but I just waited to see what others did before making my move, and it was fine.
All I was a little disappointed with, was how inaudible the Priest was, due to no microphone. I am aware that the mass isn’t aimed at the people, but it would have been easier to hear him with a mic! I found myself getting lost in the order of mass and after what seemed like a few sentences, it would turn out we were on another page altogether! But these things will iron themselves out in time. (Other churches may have the priest microphoned up, I don’t know, I’m sure those who are used to the TLM may know whether churches do this?)
Another disappointing factor was the fact that I could not recieve the blood of Christ, I love the fact I can recieve both Body and Blood in my current church, as some NO masses I have attended in the past only give the host, as the TLM did on sunday.
Other than that, it was great!
I will have to persevere, as other posters have suggested, as I need to get used to the TLM, and attending once or twice will not do this alone! It will probably be better with my missal, when I get it eventually, and once I can follow the order better after a few weeks things will become familiar. Stick with it, as they say, as I will, and I’m sure it will be rewarding for both of us, and many others!
If you have any questions for a fellow first timer, send me a PM and I’ll try to oblige!
Matt
