Attended my first EF mass today

[Joe_M_1]

It was interesting, and I want to make it clear right now I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who wish to attend the TLM. If I understand correctly it was a High Mass (6 candles on the altar lit). It didn’t bowl me over like many people said it would, however it was very nice. I guess I’ll just kind of run through my experience and comments:

I arrived and there was a very nice lady who kind of walked me through the basics and let me sit next to her. She told me to grab one of the red “little missals” that the church provides. So for 5-10 minutes I sat there reading through, trying to get my bearings. Then mass began. There was a lot of singing, the priest and servers walked around a lot doing stuff like incense. (Keep in mind I know these motions all have significance but this is my perspective from the pews having never attended an EF ever) Eventually he turned around and said something but I had gotten lost in the missal pretty much at the beginning. Then he did some more stuff. Looking around I figured out that he had gotten to the epistle and gospel, which he did in Latin followed by (thank the Lord) English. Then a nice homily about respect for authority. After this there was more singing by the choir and more movements by the priest, some bells were rung occasionally. I was getting the hang of figuring out what page to be on in the missal based on the pictures in it and comparing them to the people in front of me, but I had no idea about what was happening. Happily I know the Pater Noster in Latin so that part was OK. However suddenly I was 4 pages behind without knowing and it was time to go up for the Eucharist. Luckily that was the easiest part, no trouble receiving on the tongue, kneeling, etc. After going back to my seat there was more singing, priest stuff, and server stuff. Then the priest said more things to us and walked out.

Now I hope that doesn’t sound condescending because it’s meant to sound clueless. Clearly the people of this forum know what goes on but I’m simply writing from a first timers perspective and that is quite literally what I was seeing/thinking. :whacky: I had no idea what was being said except for the very few parts that need to be audible.

I guess, I’m just wondering if this ever gets easier because it seems just attending an EF Mass requires a whole new skill set. How can I understand what in the world is going on since I can’t really see what’s happening on the altar with the priest in front of it. By this I don’t mean, “What’s the significance of X?” I mean how can I even tell what is physically happening? I did like the reverence, and I’m very appreciative that there is a TLM close to me, but I don’t know if I want to go back very often since it’s such a mystery to me.

 

[Ockham]

it seems just attending an EF Mass requires a whole new skill set. How can I understand what in the world is going on since I can’t really see what’s happening on the altar with the priest in front of it.

Congratulations. Hopefully you will attend many more.

Yes, attending an EF requires a new skill set. You have to do a little research, gain new understanding, and pay more attention. To fully participate at an EF means to actually pray the Mass instead of merely reciting prayers and singing hymns.

Watch a Mass on EWTN or Youtube if you don’t know what the priest is doing when facing God (aka back towards you). It’s no secret and no different from any other Mass. Pick up a missal or download one in order to be able to follow along.

May God Bless you.

 

[Joe_M_1]

Congratulations. Hopefully you will attend many more.

I do hope to

Yes, attending an EF requires a new skill set. You have to do a little research, gain new understanding, and pay more attention. To fully participate at an EF means to actually pray the Mass instead of merely reciting prayers and singing hymns.

That I’ll have to work on I guess. Everyone else did seem to be a lot more “into” it than me

Watch a Mass on EWTN or Youtube if you don’t know what the priest is doing when facing God (aka back towards you). It’s no secret and no different from any other Mass. Pick up a missal or download one in order to be able to follow along.

Don’t worry, I’m not totally out there. I at the least knew he’s not technically facing away from us just toward God as you say. However, my problem was the missal. With the choir singing and the priest (presumably) speaking quietly I couldn’t really figure out how to follow along. I would always have to look ahead for a very obvious motion he was going to do to get my place again.

 

[Raphael777]

However, my problem was the missal. With the choir singing and the priest (presumably) speaking quietly I couldn’t really figure out how to follow along. I would always have to look ahead for a very obvious motion he was going to do to get my place again.

Hi Joe,

Is there maybe a Low Mass offered as well? That one might be a little easier to follow for a newcomer. My first TLM experience was a High Mass, and I was a bit overwhelmed (not all in a good way haha). Both Masses are largely the same, but for me the sensory overload of the music and the little extras kind of made my mind shut down for the duration lol. When I went to a Low Mass I kept having little “Eureka!” moments like “Hey - I know what he’s doing there! It looks a little different in the OF but it’s the same thing! Boy, am I smart!”

After attending Low Mass for a few weeks I had a new appreciation for the High Mass.

I would echo the advice to research the Mass to get a more inside-look.

 

[Joe_M_1]

Hi Joe,

Is there maybe a Low Mass offered as well? That one might be a little easier to follow for a newcomer. My first TLM experience was a High Mass, and I was a bit overwhelmed (not all in a good way haha). Both Masses are largely the same, but for me the sensory overload of the music and the little extras kind of made my mind shut down for the duration lol. When I went to a Low Mass I kept having little “Eureka!” moments like “Hey - I know what he’s doing there! It looks a little different in the OF but it’s the same thing! Boy, am I smart!”

After attending Low Mass for a few weeks I had a new appreciation for the High Mass.

I would echo the advice to research the Mass to get a more inside-look.

I believe they offer low mass at 8:00 (ugh, usually I only wake up early for daily mass :coffeeread so I will certainly try attending that in a week or two, thanks. As for now: adds TLM research to list of things to research

 

[corsair]

Here is a web site that has a tutorial video you can watch.
www.sanctamissa.org/en/

Its got some great information. Hang in there, its fun learning the old Mass.

 

[ProVobis]

After attending Low Mass for a few weeks I had a new appreciation for the High Mass.

I would echo the advice to research the Mass to get a more inside-look.

I agree. The High Mass can be overwhelming to someone who is trying to follow the Mass and the choir at the same time. There’s a lot to learn at the EF and hopefully Joe_m will get around buying a 1962 Missal so he can better follow the Mass in that form.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

I agree with whoever suggested that a High Mass is much more difficult for beginners Joe. If you are inclined to, you’ll catch on. You’ll begin to get an ear for Latin phrases, bells, a spoken word out of the silence (when Father invokes a prayer for us sinners). You’ll begin to have an eye for Father’s movements at the altar. They can tell you where you are too. I am sure you recognized many things as it was. The Sanctus, the standing for the Gospel. You’ll get it eventually, even if you only go to a Sung High Masses, but then you’ll wonder what’s wrong when you go to your first Low Mass! There is more sitting and standing at High Masses (because the congregation is supposed to participate with the choir).

Anyway…God bless and don’t be discouraged…if you’re of a mind to it, you’ll catch on.

Rory

 

[Raphael777]

I believe they offer low mass at 8:00 (ugh, usually I only wake up early for daily mass )

LOL. My parish is the exact opposite. High Mass is at 9:00 (I’m a lazy lump o’ mud on the weekends). I barely roll my backside out of bed at 10 to get ready for Low Mass.

Needless to say, I usually go to Low Mass

 

[JRKH]

It was interesting, and I want to make it clear right now I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who wish to attend the TLM. If I understand correctly it was a High Mass (6 candles on the altar lit). It didn’t bowl me over like many people said it would, however it was very nice. I guess I’ll just kind of run through my experience and comments:

I arrived and there was a very nice lady who kind of walked me through the basics and let me sit next to her. She told me to grab one of the red “little missals” that the church provides. So for 5-10 minutes I sat there reading through, trying to get my bearings. Then mass began. There was a lot of singing, the priest and servers walked around a lot doing stuff like incense. (Keep in mind I know these motions all have significance but this is my perspective from the pews having never attended an EF ever) Eventually he turned around and said something but I had gotten lost in the missal pretty much at the beginning. Then he did some more stuff. Looking around I figured out that he had gotten to the epistle and gospel, which he did in Latin followed by (thank the Lord) English. Then a nice homily about respect for authority. After this there was more singing by the choir and more movements by the priest, some bells were rung occasionally. I was getting the hang of figuring out what page to be on in the missal based on the pictures in it and comparing them to the people in front of me, but I had no idea about what was happening. Happily I know the Pater Noster in Latin so that part was OK. However suddenly I was 4 pages behind without knowing and it was time to go up for the Eucharist. Luckily that was the easiest part, no trouble receiving on the tongue, kneeling, etc. After going back to my seat there was more singing, priest stuff, and server stuff. Then the priest said more things to us and walked out.

Now I hope that doesn’t sound condescending because it’s meant to sound clueless. Clearly the people of this forum know what goes on but I’m simply writing from a first timers perspective and that is quite literally what I was seeing/thinking. :whacky: I had no idea what was being said except for the very few parts that need to be audible.

I guess, I’m just wondering if this ever gets easier because it seems just attending an EF Mass requires a whole new skill set. How can I understand what in the world is going on since I can’t really see what’s happening on the altar with the priest in front of it. By this I don’t mean, “What’s the significance of X?” I mean how can I even tell what is physically happening? I did like the reverence, and I’m very appreciative that there is a TLM close to me, but I don’t know if I want to go back very often since it’s such a mystery to me.

The first couple of times it was like that for me as well. I don’t think you dscription is “negative” at all. I tis simply a “blow by blow” account of how it went.

What I found out was that if I started reading the prayers in my missal when the priest came out and began mass, I was never very far off from where I needed to be. After a very few weeks, I had my “cadence” down to where my praying was pretty much in perfect sync with the priest.
I also found that, by following along as the choir sang the Creed, the Pater Noster and so forth, I was beginning to get a better grip on the Latin pronunciation.

Be patient with yourself. Don’t try to force it. God understands and appreicates your devotion and effort. And if the EF turns out not to be your “cup of tea” then I, for one, will simply say thanks for giving it a fair shot.

Peace
James

 

[Erin_Anne]

One’s first TLM Mass is overwhelming…but, it does get much easier the more often you attend. Eventually it starts to become second nature. Just like the Novus Ordo.