how similar is a Latin OF Ad Orientem Mass compared to a High EF Mass?
to what extent are they similar in appeareance and procedure?
Can they be confused or is it clear cut?
This is the Order of Mass for the Ordinary Form:
catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm
This Order of Mass is followed at every mass. Basically, nothing changes in the Order of Mass just because the mass is celebrated in Latin, and
ad orientem. The only optional thing I can think of that could be inserted is asperges, which would occur before mass starts, and also incense. This would be essential to compare the OF to the EF High Mass, because asperges occurs in and incense is obligatory in every EF High Mass.
Within this Wikipedia article is the Order of Mass for the Extraordinary Form:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solemn_Mass
If you view these two webpages, you can see there are various differences. What binds the EF and OF together in form, at a basic level, are these things: the Kyrie Eleison, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, the Agnus Dei, and the Eucharist.
Other things which would have to be modified for an OF mass to more clearly resemble an EF mass would be the altar arrangement (IE, candles), vestments (style and color), use of altar boys only (which is the decision of the priest, ultimately), and use of a communion rail and communion on the tongue (which can be mandated by the priest, if seen as pastorally appropriate). Obviously, the music would probably be much different, also. However, one area where the priest has no say is the rubrics. There are lots and lots of tiny, detailed rubrics the priest has to follow in the EF; these rubrics are not prescribed in the OF, and so for the priest to do them would be adding stuff, which is not allowed.
So, the OF can be done in such a way as to somewhat resemble the EF on a superficial level, but if you take into account the rubrical differences and the differences in the Orders of Mass, the two forms can be distinguished apart very quickly. First thing I’d look for if I wasn’t sure are the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar.
