Attending a Tridentine Mass for the first time

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consecrated_one

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Hello,
I will be attending a Tridentine Mass for the first time this Sunday. What do I need to know? I don’t want to do anything wrong. I know the Mass will be in Latin. I know I will need to wear a veil; I tried wearing one at my “regular” church and it wasn’t very well received! I was wondering if I will be receiving Communion kneeling at a rail? I’m so excited! I just don’t want to do the wrong thing!
Any and all information will be greatly appreciated!
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
 
Congratulations. I attend the Latin Mass and love it. I converted from protestantism in 1995 with SSPX (Society of St. Pius X), and now attend the Mass offered by the Fraternity of St. Peter. (FSSP). Take some time to understand what these organizations are.

You can expect it to be extremely reverent, so you’ll want to have your Sunday best, complete with a veil. If you don’t already have one, upon entering you’ll want to get a Latin-English Missal - usually a paperback, red in color, available at the front door. This Missal will be without the Proper for the day so check the pews to see if there are printed copies of the Proper for that day. You might also see if there are any good Missals in the lost and found. These will have all the Propers.

Ask for help. Perhaps you can sit by a parishioner that can guide you through this wonderful Mass. It is easier than you think to understand, and once you grasp it, you’ll know how completely logical it is.

When I converted in 1995, I was seeking truth through knowledge first, before I would take worship seriously. Ironically, it was the beauty of this Rite that converted me, not the Catechism. That came later.

Don’t be put off if some of the Parishioners are not overly extroverted. Traditionalists tend to wear pretty serious faces because they take this Rite very seriously. You’ll find though that if you take the time to open a conversation, they will be very friendly and accommodating.

God Bless you and enjoy!
 
Oh, and expect to be taking Communion on your knees at the rail and definitely NOT in your hands. This is The Body after all!

Again, God Bless
 
I’m asking this simply because I’m curious. I am a former Roman Catholic. No need to get into a discussion abouth that right now. Is the Tridentine mass one I would have been familiar with in my youth? As a point of referrence, I left the RCC 40 years ago at the age of 21. Just curious.
 
You will kneel at the rail to receive Communion on the tongue while your hands are placed under the rail drape. You will not make the sign of the cross after receiving Communion. I suggest sitting a few rows behind other Mass participants so you can follow their standing, kneeling and sitting. The red missal syarger mentioned notes the appropriate times to change position and the type of closing prayer depending on whether you will be attending a Low Mass (two candles on the altar) or a High Mass (six candles on the altar).
 
Thank you very much, that was most helpful! I think I’m intimidated by the language
barrier. We are very excited to go!
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
 
Solid advise. I agree with the other posters. I may add a couple of things too. There is no need for you to say “Amen” after receiving the Host. It has already been said by the priest.

So just watch others around you and "soak "in the smells and bells. As has been said, it is a wonderful experience.

So 40 years ago would have been late '69 or 70. So you MAY have experienced this Mass. Then again it would depend on the parish that you belonged to. Chances are that it would have been one of the various “transitional” Masses that were in evidence at the time.

And don’t worry about doing things wrong. Just follow those around you. After Mass see if you can talk to the priest for a few minutes. They are usually in high demand by everyone but try anyway. Just tell him about your experience at Mass. He will probably be delighted to talk to a first timer.

God Bless
 
Hello,
I have another question as a New comer. Is there a Homily at a Latin Mass? Our family will be attending for the first time tomorrow! Thank you all so much for your great help.
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
 
consecrated_one said:
Hello,
I have another question as a New comer. Is there a Homily at a Latin Mass? Our family will be attending for the first time tomorrow! Thank you all so much for your great help.
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
Click to expand...
Yes. After reading the Gospel in Latin at the altar, the priest will go to the pulpit. He will probably read the Epistle and Gospel(or at least the Gospel) in English, make any announcements, then preach his homily. It might possibly be called a sermon. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that a sermon can be on any religious topic. A homily has to be on one of the Scripture readings for the day.
 
I accept with information:You can expect it to be extremely reverent, so you’ll want to have your Sunday best, complete with a veil. If you don’t already have one, upon entering you’ll want to get a Latin-English Missal - usually a paperback, red in color, available at the front door. This Missal will be without the Proper for the day so check the pews to see if there are printed copies of the Proper for that day. You might also see if there are any good Missals in the lost and found. These will have all the Propers.
 
corsair said:
solid advise. I agree with the other posters. I may add a couple of things too. There is no need for you to say “amen” after receiving the host. It has already been said by the priest.
Click to expand...
That is some huge advice!
 
Just go and enjoy.

Don’t worry about other people watching to catch you making a goof. They aren’t there for that.
 
Greetings!
My whole family appreciates all the time and information everyone has given us. This is slightly off the main question so tell me if I need to go somewhere else - but - In what way does the celebration of Advent differ at a Tridentine Mass vs the average? Are there some philosophical differences that we might enjoy learning about? Are there web sites that will explain why the “outlook” is different? We don’t have any money for books but is there a popular book or author we might find at our church liabrary? My husband and I feel this is exactly what we’ve been looking for; we have yearned to kneel while recieving Our Lord, for example. Thank you for any and all information! 41/2 to go!
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
P.S. What is the Zoghby Initative?
 
So I’m making an assumption that you’ve already attended your first EF Mass (“only4 1/2 to go”). I’m guessing that means 4 1/2 hours as byou posted this morning at 7:41 am. When you get the chance let us all know your impressions and what you think.

Next Sunday is a real special treat if you are wanting to go back to the EF Mass; its Gaudette Sunday. Most EF Masses will have Rose colored vestments, only two times of the year will you see these vestments.

Any way let us know about todays Mass.
 
consecrated_one said:
Thank you very much, that was most helpful! I think I’m intimidated by the language
barrier. We are very excited to go!
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
Click to expand...
You’ll get used to it after a while, Latin is rather easy. They should supply you with a booklet with it in English.
 
Hello!
I just got back from my first Tridentine Mass. I feel a bit foolish, as I don’t know what the difference, if any, is. I thought it was very quiet and reverential, I’ve missed kneeling for Communion and wearing a veil. I remembered alot of my 4,5 yr old Holy Ghost type stuff. I think I was the only one of my family comfortable - I’m 10yrs older than my husband, our daughter is 14 and she liked it. We were all wondering what the difference is between a Tridentine Mass and a Latin Mass, We were a bit concerned that this Mass may not be approved by Pope Benedict?
Any information will help us decide if we will be returning. I prefer this Mass but my husband is RCIA “new school” and concerned.
Thank you in advance!
Consecrated One
 
consecrated_one said:
Hello!
I just got back from my first Tridentine Mass. I feel a bit foolish, as I don’t know what the difference, if any, is. I thought it was very quiet and reverential, I’ve missed kneeling for Communion and wearing a veil. I remembered alot of my 4,5 yr old Holy Ghost type stuff. I think I was the only one of my family comfortable - I’m 10yrs older than my husband, our daughter is 14 and she liked it. We were all wondering what the difference is between a Tridentine Mass and a Latin Mass, We were a bit concerned that this Mass may not be approved by Pope Benedict?
Any information will help us decide if we will be returning. I prefer this Mass but my husband is RCIA “new school” and concerned.
Thank you in advance!
Consecrated One
Click to expand...
The Tridentine Mass is the Traditional Latin Mass or what Pope Benedict now calls the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. It is sometimes called Tridentine because Pope St. Pius V codified the Latin Mass due to the wishes of the bishops at Council of Trent. Probably similar to what Pope Paul VI did to the Mass due to the wishes of the bishops at Vatican II.
 
consecrated_one said:
I just got back from my first Tridentine Mass. I feel a bit foolish, as I don’t know what the difference, if any, is. I thought it was very quiet and reverential, I’ve missed kneeling for Communion and wearing a veil. I remembered alot of my 4,5 yr old Holy Ghost type stuff. I think I was the only one of my family comfortable - I’m 10yrs older than my husband, our daughter is 14 and she liked it.
Click to expand...
I suspect you experienced the “difference” as you say, but perhaps don’t realize it yet. It comes through loud and clear in the post though. 🙂
consecrated_one said:
We were all wondering what the difference is between a Tridentine Mass and a Latin Mass
Click to expand...
That’s a tricky question. The EF is the “Tridentine Mass” and is offered in Latin. But the OF may also be offered in Latin, (the official Missal is completely in Latin), although it rarely is.
consecrated_one said:
We were a bit concerned that this Mass may not be approved by Pope Benedict?
Any information will help us decide if we will be returning. I prefer this Mass but my husband is RCIA “new school” and concerned.
Click to expand...
Whether it was “approved” or not depends on where you attended. If it was a normal parish that offers the EF or a church in the charge of the FSSP or the ICRSS, it most certainly was.
 
malphono said:
I suspect you experienced the “difference” as you say, but perhaps don’t realize it yet. It comes through loud and clear in the post though. 🙂

That’s a tricky question. The EF is the “Tridentine Mass” and is offered in Latin. But the OF may also be offered in Latin, (the official Missal is completely in Latin), although it rarely is.

Whether it was “approved” or not depends on where you attended. If it was a normal parish that offers the EF or a church in the charge of the FSSP or the ICRSS, it most certainly was.
Click to expand...
Hello and thank you for responding,
What do all those initials mean? How do I know what an EF is? This church only offers the Latin/Tridentine Mass. The Mass we attended was entirely in Latin, with very helpful red Missals that had Latin on the left page and English on the right. Do you ever feel left out of the Mass because it is completely quiet? How do I convince my dearest Husband to make this our home Parish? Why wouldn’t we do the Kyie or the Gloria?
Thank you again,
:blessyou:
Consecrated One
 
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