Attended an EF Mass for the first time today!

[CruceSignati]

Deo Gratias!!!

I attended the EF Mass for the first time today and was completely blown away.
I had heard that the EF has a great deal of reverence, but honestly, what I saw today was more than I had ever expected. Everything; the attention of the people, the schola, the priest and altar boys; was completely focused on God. It was amazing!

When I got home tonight, my parents asked how Mass was. I told them about the reverence and the silent prayers of the priest. Then my dad said, "Well, how do you know he wasn’t just making it up? And he wasn’t just kind of showing off, like, “Hey people, do this! And try to look reverent while you’re doing it.” " I think he was half joking. Maybe. Mom told him later that I have a Latin obsession, and that I’m going through a “phase”. I had a good, quiet chuckle over that.

 

[balto]

Neat! Congratulations on your first TLM! I remember being lost the first time I went because I was expecting it to be like the Novus Ordo with Latin instead of English, so I was lost when it was in the Extraordinary Form. Actually I didn’t even know there were multiple forms back then. But there’s a church 5 minutes from my apartment that offers the EF Latin Mass every Sunday so I’ve been going weekly since fall of 2012 and I love it. Now I know what’s going on, what the priest is doing, and what a lot of the prayers are in Latin (I took Latin in high school but didn’t continue it afterwards). Besides my normal church I went to a TLM in Boston and in Cleveland and they had professional Gregorian chanting which was absolutely mind-blowing. I could easily tell I was in a very holy and sacred place in that kind of environment. Are you going to start going regularly?

 

[CruceSignati]

Neat! Congratulations on your first TLM! I remember being lost the first time I went because I was expecting it to be like the Novus Ordo with Latin instead of English, so I was lost when it was in the Extraordinary Form. Actually I didn’t even know there were multiple forms back then. But there’s a church 5 minutes from my apartment that offers the EF Latin Mass every Sunday so I’ve been going weekly since fall of 2012 and I love it. Now I know what’s going on, what the priest is doing, and what a lot of the prayers are in Latin (I took Latin in high school but didn’t continue it afterwards). Besides my normal church I went to a TLM in Boston and in Cleveland and they had professional Gregorian chanting which was absolutely mind-blowing. I could easily tell I was in a very holy and sacred place in that kind of environment. Are you going to start going regularly?

Thanks. I only got lost once around the Offertory. I flipped a few pages ahead and then I was back on track. As much as I would love to start going regularly, the nearest parish that offers it (that is, the one I attended today) is three hours away. A friend of mine and a few of her acquaintances are wanting to get in contact with the bishop of our diocese to get the EF brought in at some point. We know that it only really needs the approval of the pastor, but we want the bishop to be on board to prevent…well, complications that could arise.

 

[Cartesian]

When I got home tonight, my parents asked how Mass was. I told them about the reverence and the silent prayers of the priest. Then my dad said, "Well, how do you know he wasn’t just making it up? And he wasn’t just kind of showing off, like, “Hey people, do this! And try to look reverent while you’re doing it.” " I think he was half joking. Maybe. Mom told him later that I have a Latin obsession, and that I’m going through a “phase”. I had a good, quiet chuckle over that.

As for your dad, he is probably being Socratic with you. And I tend to ask myself the exact same questions whenever traditionalists start using on a objective way, phrases like: “more reverent”, “closest to perfection”. Lets say my supervisors did cut those kind of words from my thesis right away . But I don’t want to derail this thread and you should be able to enjoy the spiritual fruits of the TLM to the fullest. Congrats in your experience, and wow, I think your Mom also raises important observation: I don’t think you should take for granted that you are at the top of your mountain, I am cradle Catholic but I think with time, I am growing closer and closer to God. As Pope Francis says, we should be open to be surprised. Some people don’t see surprises or miracles anymore, because they are already full of themselves (now quoting Pope Emeritus )

 

[tawny]

Deo Gratias!!!

I attended the EF Mass for the first time today and was completely blown away.
I had heard that the EF has a great deal of reverence, but honestly, what I saw today was more than I had ever expected. Everything; the attention of the people, the schola, the priest and altar boys; was completely focused on God. It was amazing!

When I got home tonight, my parents asked how Mass was. I told them about the reverence and the silent prayers of the priest. Then my dad said, "Well, how do you know he wasn’t just making it up? And he wasn’t just kind of showing off, like, “Hey people, do this! And try to look reverent while you’re doing it.” " I think he was half joking. Maybe. Mom told him later that I have a Latin obsession, and that I’m going through a “phase”. I had a good, quiet chuckle over that.

It is indeed a wonderful experience. The reverence & solemnity is awesome. I go as often as possible.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

The first time you assist at the traditional form of Mass it often feels like you’re discovering the faith for the first time, and in some ways, you may be! Congratulations on this wonderful experience, and please persevere!

 

[Auntie_A]

It is indeed a wonderful experience. The reverence & solemnity is awesome. I go as often as possible.

Me too. Today I thought about how my mind strays less during a Latin mass. Not sure why but perhaps it is the influence of more reverent people. Today I had a Latin-to- Spanish mass booklet (they were out of the Latin-to-English booklets)and I went back and forth, trying to read and understand either the Latin or the Spanish, both languages not being my strengths as a reader. I felt a strong need to understand, to follow, to connect with the sacrifice, more than when I am at an English mass.

I have encountered a hostility about the EF from some clergy and laity. They seem to associate it with repression, an unyielding stubborn attitude, hypocrisy, and fear, since it is not in their spoken language and it reminds them of “the old days”. I ask, why can’t we have both?

I think it’s great that you are going when you can. Do ask around. Our parish had an EF mass once a month. When your father sees your English grades and vocabulary improve because you are becoming familiar with Latin, his attitude might change.

 

[ealfred]

In the country I live in we have 1 Catholic church and the EF is not offered. I always wanted to experience EF as I love Latin and Gregorian Chant.

When I visited France, I did my research and I found out that there is a Parish in Paris that offers the EF. I still remmeber my first Mass there, it is the most amazing experience. The Mass brought me to tears which is almost imposible for me. I love Notre-Dame but I was going to EF Mass.

Since the time I’m back here, I’m having a hard time not being able to attend the EF.

 

[balto]

Thanks. I only got lost once around the Offertory. I flipped a few pages ahead and then I was back on track.

Well you did much better than I did . I had almost no idea where we were or what we were doing during the whole Mass.

As much as I would love to start going regularly, the nearest parish that offers it (that is, the one I attended today) is three hours away. A friend of mine and a few of her acquaintances are wanting to get in contact with the bishop of our diocese to get the EF brought in at some point. We know that it only really needs the approval of the pastor, but we want the bishop to be on board to prevent…well, complications that could arise.

I hope that you do manage to get an EF offered closer to your home. Definitely try to get the bishop on board though because I think his support, although not technically needed, is very useful. Our bishop is not a traditionalist at all as far as I know (I believe he’s considered to be one of the most liberal bishops in the country) but he actually seems to support our EF. We’re having a Confirmation ceremony done in the EF soon and he’s willing to preside over the Mass, which is awesome. So even if the bishop is not the “EF-type” he could still be very supportive of it. Everything needs to be tempered with charity though. Many times traditionalists are their own worst enemy.

 

[CruceSignati]

Well you did much better than I did . I had almost no idea where we were or what we were doing during the whole Mass.
Actually, the only reason that I managed that well is because I had listened to a CD on the drive down that explained the Mass really well. If I had been on my own completely, I would have been a lot more lost.

I hope that you do manage to get an EF offered closer to your home. Definitely try to get the bishop on board though because I think his support, although not technically needed, is very useful. Our bishop is not a traditionalist at all as far as I know (I believe he’s considered to be one of the most liberal bishops in the country) but he actually seems to support our EF. We’re having a Confirmation ceremony done in the EF soon and he’s willing to preside over the Mass, which is awesome. So even if the bishop is not the “EF-type” he could still be very supportive of it. Everything needs to be tempered with charity though. Many times traditionalists are their own worst enemy.

Yes, exactly.