Attending first LM this afternoon. What do I need to know?

[Junebug999]

Hi there. I’m attending my first Latin Mass this afternoon at Saint Anthony of Padua in Fresno, California. After the LM, we are going to a place to here a presentation about information about the LM. So, I’m going today, and I’m taking a lace mantilla. I purchased this at an estate sale months ago from a devout Catholic who attended my parish for a bajillion years.

I’m not able to kneel because of a bad knee (wouldn’t be able to get up either). Soooooooo what do I do about that. Also have always taken in my hand…what is the rubrics? I need to know. ( I know I need to take a deep breath. haha).

Okay…as so many of you did so well back when I was in RCIA and had questions…instruct me…I’ll be leaving for MAss about 2:30. It starts at 3:00, but I want to have a good seat AND want time for prayer and reflection…

So here I am a blank slate…instruct me…

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

If you can’t kneel let the priest know before hand or ask one of the ushers about it if possible. Different places have different measures in place to cater to folks who have that difficulty sometimes the priest will come to you other places just tell you to present yourself at the rail standing so it depends on how things are done at that specific parish.

To receive on the tongue just open your mouth and place your tongue on your lower lip just inside the mouth, you don’t need to say Amen before receiving either so you can do this while the priest is speaking.

As to everything else I would say just go and take in the experience maybe sit near the back so you can better observe what everyone else is doing, once you get home then come and let us know how it went and ask your questions, your bound to have questions lol

Oh and its often easier to follow the mass based on the priests actions rather than his words at the TLM I always found, sometimes you cant even hear what the priest is saying but you an always tell where he is at based on what he is actually doing.

 

[Lycorth]

Deo gratias - I just attended my first TLM yesterday.

Get there with enough time to familiarize yourself with the missal. I wish I had done this yesterday; I ended up fumbling around a lot and eventually giving up so I could simply focus on the goings-on at the altar. I reasoned that if our ancient ancestors followed along just fine without missals, this one time I could really pray as they did

If you don’t get enough time to study the missal before Mass, you might just be better off not taking one and “going Medieval” (ie, just focusing on the altar and taking everything in). For your first TLM, it might appear a little daunting if you’re trying to follow along and find the right page in your missal.

About your knee - I don’t know what to say, but having knee and back problems for over half my life, I can sympathize in my own way. Can you just kneel on one knee for Communion, awkward as that position may be? In the pews, you can “cheat kneel” as I call it - sit on the edge of the pew and dip your legs down as if you’re kneeling, but you’re really just sitting. I taught that to my wife when she was pregnant and had a hard time properly kneeling during Mass (and being a new convert, besides).

Hope you get this in time

 

[Junebug999]

It was wonderful – I loved it. I understood a lot of it because of understanding the NO plus having done some reading. My knees did cooperate with the kneel because I didn’t know how to stand, but that’s okay, just pain – look how much Our Lord endured…and receiving on the tongue went okay, I know how to do that now. Also, could not find the lace mantilla, and the pashmina I wore kept slipping, so I will buy a black scarf that I pin to my head (with a thumbtack if I have to – haha). I also will begin wearing scarf to NO masses also.

There was a conference after the LM that went over everything in detail (it was fast, but it was good). It was given by Matthew Arnold of St. Joseph Communications. He did a great job, but he did need more time, because he had to fly through the material. I’m going to use the notes I took as a jumping off place for more research on my own.

And there was also a presentation about the centuries old prophecies about the the current Church situation by Our Lady of Good Success. That was interesting too. Lots of things to google and learn about.

Thanks for your suggestions and support. OH, also, I bought a red LM Latin/English missal so I could read it at home and learn more.

Thanks a bunch. God Bless You!

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

Yes indeed it is wonderful, congratulations and God bless you