Attending a Tridentine Mass for the first time

  • Thread starter Thread starter Padres1969
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Just a reminder, as some people on the thread used the term “Novus Ordo”. Actually the Mass most commonly used at present in the Roman or Latin Rite is the “Ordinary Form”. This is usually said in the vernacular, but can be said in Latin. The English translation was updated a few years ago, much more God-centered, less mundane or wishy-washy now, in my opinion.

The thread has correctly identified the “Extraordinary Form” which would be said in Latin, but according to the Pre Vatican II format. Of course, the eastern Catholic Churches have their own liturgical rites.
Ordinary Form/Novus Order is nothing more than Potato/Potato IMO. Same with Tridentine/Extrodinary Form. Yes the OF/EF is the more recent naming, but they’re clearly referring to the same thing with regard to the Roman Rite (at least when talking about use inside the Catholic Church and/or groups in union with Rome).
 
Maybe I am missing something in what you said…
No, you’re definitely not missing something in what I said. You’ve correctly pointed out that I had a senior moment in that post! :o In any case, my point was that the Sanctus Bells (Goodness, how could I forget that they’re rung during the part of the Mass for which they’re named!) are essentially the only external cues one has in the Missa Lecta to gauge where you’re at unless you’re close enough to really pay attention to what the priest is doing or saying.
 
No, you’re definitely not missing something in what I said. You’ve correctly pointed out that I had a senior moment in that post! :o In any case, my point was that the Sanctus Bells (Goodness, how could I forget that they’re rung during the part of the Mass for which they’re named!) are essentially the only external cues one has in the Missa Lecta to gauge where you’re at unless you’re close enough to really pay attention to what the priest is doing or saying.
The only other cue, at least during the Canon, would be the “Nobis quoque peccatoribus”, which is said in a slightly elevated tone.
 
OP, were you able to go to Mass?

I’m sure we’d all love an update on what you thought of it.
 
OP, were you able to go to Mass?

I’m sure we’d all love an update on what you thought of it.
I was, I posted an update a ways back. Basically I found it to be interesting, but honestly harder to follow than I expected and I did end up a little lost. For me coming from a Novus Ordo and then Episcopal Rite II background, the Missa Lecta form of the Tridentine Rite was somewhat more “spectator” experience for lack of a better term. It felt less like I was participating in the mass/worship than it did that I was observing the priest worship. As mentioned earlier even the gospel was in Latin.

That said it was a beautiful experience and I don’t regret it. And as I mentioned, I was able to pick out a few things from the latin I could hear that I understood which is mainly what helped me figure out some of what was going on. I will be interested to compare/contrast the Missa Lecta with the Missa Cantata or the High Mass as well as to the Byzantine Rite.
 
I will be interested to compare/contrast the Missa Lecta with the Missa Cantata or the High Mass as well as to the Byzantine Rite.
There is one peculiarity unique to the High Mass that may throw you for a loop:
It gets even more diversified at a Missa Cantata or Missa Solemnis. Since the choir is not in sync with the part of the Mass the priest is currently at you have about half of the laity making gestured responses to the priest (usually those close enough to actually see/hear what he’s doing/saying) while the other half gesture in response to the choir. Some hedge their bets and respond to both!
I really wish someone had warned me about this before my first Missa Cantata (second E.F. Mass ever). I was preparing myself for that genuflection during the Creed at “Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine et Homo factus est.” which never came since Father (and the entire church for that matter) genuflected while the choir sang “Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine”. Father finished the entire creed and sat down before the choir ever got to “Et incarnatus est…” I actually mused to myself "Gee, the E.F. must be so confusing that even priests get lost from time to time. 😛
 
I was, I posted an update a ways back. Basically I found it to be interesting, but honestly harder to follow than I expected and I did end up a little lost. For me coming from a Novus Ordo and then Episcopal Rite II background, the Missa Lecta form of the Tridentine Rite was somewhat more “spectator” experience for lack of a better term. It felt less like I was participating in the mass/worship than it did that I was observing the priest worship. As mentioned earlier even the gospel was in Latin.

That said it was a beautiful experience and I don’t regret it. And as I mentioned, I was able to pick out a few things from the latin I could hear that I understood which is mainly what helped me figure out some of what was going on. I will be interested to compare/contrast the Missa Lecta with the Missa Cantata or the High Mass as well as to the Byzantine Rite.
Sorry, I completely overlooked your original update. I’m glad you were able to go.
 
I really wish someone had warned me about this before my first Missa Cantata (second E.F. Mass ever). I was preparing myself for that genuflection during the Creed at “Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine et Homo factus est.” which never came since Father (and the entire church for that matter) genuflected while the choir sang “Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine”. Father finished the entire creed and sat down before the choir ever got to “Et incarnatus est…” I actually mused to myself "Gee, the E.F. must be so confusing that even priests get lost from time to time. 😛
Since the priest is reciting the Credo in a low voice while the choir is singing, he finishes well before the singing is over. As you noted, he genuflected at his “incarnatus est” while the choir and congregation were still at “lumen de lumine”. This is typical, as he is speaking the creed at a much quicker rate than it is being sung. Where you experience differs from my typical experience at the TLM is what happened next. In all my experiences, the priest, after finishing his Credo, descends the steps (this usually occurs right around the time the choir is singing “per quem omnia facta sunt”) and, facing the altar, genuflects again as the choir at last sings the “incarnatus est”. Only after this does he return to his chair. Typically, the congregation only makes this one genuflection. The only time when I have seen it happen where there majority of the congregation genuflected with the priest’s Credo instead of the choir’s was at a Solemn High Mass with an unfamiliar polyphonic Credo.
 
There is one peculiarity unique to the High Mass that may throw you for a loop:

I really wish someone had warned me about this before my first Missa Cantata (second E.F. Mass ever). I was preparing myself for that genuflection during the Creed at “Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine et Homo factus est.” which never came since Father (and the entire church for that matter) genuflected while the choir sang “Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine”. Father finished the entire creed and sat down before the choir ever got to “Et incarnatus est…” I actually mused to myself "Gee, the E.F. must be so confusing that even priests get lost from time to time. 😛
This is odd. Normally when the priest reaches the “et incarnatus” during his own recital, only he, the ministers and servers genuflect while the rest of the congregation remains standing, genuflecting only when the choir reaches its own “et incarnatus”.
 
This is odd. Normally when the priest reaches the “et incarnatus” during his own recital, only he, the ministers and servers genuflect while the rest of the congregation remains standing, genuflecting only when the choir reaches its own “et incarnatus”.
Are you questioning why the priest sits down while letting the choir finish their singing?

It does happen often during a High Mass at the Gloria and the Credo. At a Low Mass (Missa lecta) I have yet to see the priest sit down at all.
 
Are you questioning why the priest sits down while letting the choir finish their singing?

It does happen often during a High Mass at the Gloria and the Credo. At a Low Mass (Missa lecta) I have yet to see the priest sit down at all.
No. That happens all the time.

I was commenting on the experience of Brandon Cal. The entire church genuflected with the priest, which is not common practice in my EF.
 
The first time I went to an EF Mass, I dressed up in modest clothing and veiled. I sat near the back, and then followed the postures of the others in the congregation (sit, stand or kneel). I did bring a missal to follow along but I would recommend not to do so the first few times & observe along with following the postures of others around you then bring a missal or use a provided one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top