FINALLY got to attend my first TLM

[Lycorth]

Six times was the charm; finally was able to be able to plan to go, actually be able to leave, find the church, and actually attend the Mass (for Attempt #5, the priest was called away on an emergency, so Mass was canceled).

Unsurprisingly, it was worth the wait

I went to Confession before Mass; I never realized how much I appreciated Confession immediately before Mass until I moved from my home parish. That alone was a holy and moving event; the priest was a great confessor and gave excellent spiritual instruction. Being absolved in Latin was a powerful precursor to the rest of the morning.

It was a Low Mass; the priest was a little difficult to hear at times and he spoke a bit quickly, though once I caught up I was fine. I made the mistake of saying my Novena before Mass, which cut into the time I wanted to use to familiarize with the missal; I fumbled around a good deal to find the correct pages and eventually gave up so that I could simply focus on what was going on. Our ancestors, I reasoned, didn’t have missals, so I was truly worshiping as they did

Even though the priest spoke quickly, hearing the Latin and knowing the solid theology behind the words that were used were like spiritual nuclear warheads. I was filled with a sense of reverence and awe that only increased as the Mass went on. Only the most special Masses said in my very conservative NO church back home rivaled the holiness I felt this morning. Frankly, my words are not fine enough to truly articulate the experience, the chance to finally worship as my parents and grandparents and ancestors did for centuries. Needless to say, I look forward to being able to go again, and hopefully for Solemn Mass if possible.

Even though the church has precious little funds to allocate for even necessities, even though the church itself looks somewhat modernistic and doesn’t appear to be very old at all (I don’t know when the Institute of Christ the King began celebrating TLMs there, but it can’t have been overly long), even though it was a simple Low Mass, it was perhaps the holiest experience I’ve had since childhood - at the least. The reverence I have always had for the Eucharist was deepened and broadened in a way I still feel strongly even as I type; it is true what folks say when they attend their first TLM and talk about having their Eucharistic reverence magnified. It truly felt as if the Eucharist was absolutely central to the Mass, instead of being still the most important part but obscured by singing and hymns and everything else. It was a real joy watching the priest make the sign of the Cross with each Host as he gave Communion, recalling the days when I served on my home church’s altar and the old priests still made that reverent little gesture even though it wasn’t required anymore. And to see the acolyte using a paten; I can still feel the heft of the one I used back home…

Little wonder this is called the Mass of All Time and little wonder this was the way of worship when the Church was strong and vital. One truly felt as if one were there *solely *to glorify the Lord and that the Lord was being worshiped in absolute spirit and truth. I thank God for this, for permitting me to attend that Mass today. I truly pray that more Catholics choose the TLM and that this Mass becomes the standard again for the Church.

http://www.spschultz.com/latin-mass.jpg

**Deo gratias!
**

 

[DavidLukenbill]

We have a TLM fairly close by, under the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, and go occasionally.

We just attended a High Mass last Sunday. It had been several months since we had attended and the reaction was like yours, truly blessed to be there, welling up as the Latin chants rose, truly something all Catholics who have not experienced, should.

At our regular parish, the priest brings many elements of the Old Mass into his delivery of the New Mass, chanting parts of it, bells are used, and often more than one priest.

As fairly recent converts, since 2003, my wife and I feel very fortunate to have access to the beauty of the Mass in both forms.

 

[kozlosap]

Congrats on finally making it! I am going to my first TLM next weekend. I was going to go tomorrow, but I forgot to buy something to wear on my head and the only thing I have is my Tilley hat I wear on cruises and Disney World I think I will take your advise about forgetting the missal and just take in the experience for this first time. When I was in Gdansk last summer I should have bought myself a mantilla!

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

Congratulations, I have only been to about 4 in my whole life but that’s not by choice they are truly awe inspiring I would go every day if I could.

 

[johns58w]

LYCORTH

In Jan. 2009 I too attended my first TLM in Sarasota, FL at St. Martha parish (FSSP Order). There is a new parish in Sarasota, FL called Christ the King that has only TLM Masses. The experience to much for me to write. I now participate Novus Ordo Masses with more respect and reverence. I encourage any Catholic to experience TLM at least once in thier lifetime. I would love to attend TLM again inthe future.

 

[Lycorth]

At our regular parish, the priest brings many elements of the Old Mass into his delivery of the New Mass, chanting parts of it, bells are used, and often more than one priest.

Amen. I never tire of recalling how the priests at my home parish did that as well. The “conservatives” truly are the heart of the Church.

Congrats on finally making it! I am going to my first TLM next weekend. I was going to go tomorrow, but I forgot to buy something to wear on my head and the only thing I have is my Tilley hat I wear on cruises and Disney World I think I will take your advise about forgetting the missal and just take in the experience for this first time. When I was in Gdansk last summer I should have bought myself a mantilla!

Got to go to Poland? Lucky

At the church (rather, oratory) that I went to today, there were chapel veils in a basket inside the front doors and a sign that asked the ladies to kindly return them after Mass. A pity you don’t know beforehand if the church you are going to attend has them as well; it’s probably after hours but worth a call

Congratulations, I have only been to about 4 in my whole life but that’s not by choice they are truly awe inspiring I would go every day if I could.

Took the words right outta my mouth; I’d be there everyday as well if it were possible. I’m not ruling out potentially seeing if they could use another acolyte someday

JOHNS58W
In Jan. 2009 I too attended my first TLM in Sarasota, FL at St. Martha parish (FSSP Order). There is a new parish in Sarasota, FL called Christ the King that has only TLM Masses. The experience to much for me to write. I now participate Novus Ordo Masses with more respect and reverence. I encourage any Catholic to experience TLM at least once in thier lifetime. I would love to attend TLM again inthe future.

I feel confident that I will attend our parish’s NO Masses now with even more reverence and an even greater understanding of my responsibility to bring traditional discipline into the modern Church. I know what you mean

 

[Victorious]

Congratulations. I love the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and would go every day if I could.

The nearest one to me is only 50 miles away and I am almost the only person that attends. Here are all these people who have right in their own back yard a treasure that I have to drive 50 miles to get, and they can’t be bothered.

 

[MarkThompson]

The nearest one to me is only 50 miles away and I am almost the only person that attends. Here are all these people who have right in their own back yard a treasure that I have to drive 50 miles to get, and they can’t be bothered.

On the other hand, an astounding miracle and the unbloody re-presentation of the Sacrifice at Calvary takes place at each and every one of the Masses you drive past on your little excursion, yet you don’t stop or seem to care. Other people “can’t be bothered” to go to the Mass you prefer; I guess you “turn up your nose” at the Mass they prefer. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, really.

 

[Victorious]

On the other hand, an astounding miracle and the unbloody re-presentation of the Sacrifice at Calvary takes place at each and every one of the Masses you drive past on your little excursion, yet you don’t stop or seem to care. Other people “can’t be bothered” to go to the Mass you prefer; I guess you “turn up your nose” at the Mass they prefer. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, really.

Wow. I stand aside in awe at the apostles of Tolerance and Non-Judgmentalism.

 

[CWBetts]

I have attended several Latin Masses. At my college, it is offered once a month (with the Latin NO Mass on Saturday mornings there isn’t a TLM on Sunday). My view is that it is a wonderful thing to behold, but it is my own preference to attend the Ordinary Form. (Preferably one with traditional hymns)

 

[utah_rose]

Congratulations. I love the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and would go every day if I could.

The nearest one to me is only 50 miles away and I am almost the only person that attends. Here are all these people who have right in their own back yard a treasure that I have to drive 50 miles to get, and they can’t be bothered.

We are lucky that we have a parish nearby that has the Latin (low) Mass each Sunday presided by a Polish priest. They have mantillas for the ladies in the back of the church to wear and also provide Missals (Although we purchased the 1962 Missals just for this purpose).

We attend about once a month. Our parish has two priests. When we expressed an interest in the Latin Rite, neither of these were interested or would learn Latin.

However, we also have Spanish Masses in our Church and our Pastor speaks Spanish.

It’s a shame he won’t learn Latin, as I think if we did have a Latin Mass it would bring the english and Spanish parishioners together more.

Our Bishop of our Diocese, from what I understand, is not enthusiastic about the Latin Mass either. In fact, our Catholic paper won’t even advertise it.

Something is wrong with this picture. I do like both Masses, but I feel the Tridentine is more reverential. Furthermore, at this Mass there is a Holy Hour and Confession before it.

It feels like I’m going back to my childhood when reverence was the rule. Following along isn’t difficult, once you get used to it either.

 

[Onegin]

I’m glad that your first TLM was so favourable, Lycorth. I love to hear stories like this because I can also remember what it was like when I first attended.

Don’t worry if there is an “adjustment period” either. Even after I started attending the TLM exclusively (alas, I cannot now due to location), there was about a 3-4 month time that it took to really familiarise myself with the Missal so it didn’t feel like I was playing catch-up.

What’s really nice is that once you start to recognise the “cues” from the Priest, you’ll know precisely where you are in the Mass and can read along in the missal more closely. There are some beautiful prayers and even sitting alone at home and reading the Mass of the Catechumens can be a beautiful experience and it will remind you of the parts you want to remember when you attend again (which hopefully you will have the opportunity to do!).

Personally, I was not very enthused when I attended my first TLM, largely because it was at the coaxing of friends and not of my own volition. However, over time and as I began to truly understand the theology of what is taking place and the absolute beauty of the Mass itself, I began to become more emotionally attached. I say “emotional” in the sense that this sensation washed over me, and once it hit me I began to realise just how intensely powerful this Mass is and, likewise, how indignant I felt that I had not been told about it sooner! To me, it almost felt as if - for a good portion of my life, I had been deprived of a great treasure, the best-kept “secret” in Catholicism (this was pre-Summorum Pontificum, you understand).

Today I still feel the same emotion about the Mass, but it is now a love and a desire to share it with others. At the risk of quoting the controversial Archbishop Lefebvre, everything about tradition and the Catholic Mass is oriented towards the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. The good, Catholic Priest, he said, is absolutely 100% dedicated to the salvation of your soul. In fact, he is entrusted with it, and it is his responsibility to do his best for you so that you can get to heaven. How wonderful it is to have good Priests, then, that truly understand that they are more than just a “presider” or a “celebrant.” They are shephards of our souls - the only ones who can give us the Mass. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the heart of the Church and the purpose of the Priesthood.

I hope that you will be able to have the opportunity to attend many more Masses.

Also good photo choice, that one is a classic.

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

On the other hand, an astounding miracle and the unbloody re-presentation of the Sacrifice at Calvary takes place at each and every one of the Masses you drive past on your little excursion, yet you don’t stop or seem to care. Other people “can’t be bothered” to go to the Mass you prefer; I guess you “turn up your nose” at the Mass they prefer. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, really.

Its the intolerant people like you who make us feel unwelcome in our own parishes that drive people away in the first place. Does my kneeling and receiving on the tongue offend you? Are you one of the horrible people that stares at me with hate when I receive in this way by any chance? That confronts me after Mass and accuses me of thinking I am better than everyone because I receive in this way?

First cast out the beam in your own eye and the evil in your own parish.

 

[CWBetts]

Let the Traditionalist self-righteousness and disdain for the mainstream commence.

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

Let the Traditionalist self-righteousness and disdain for the mainstream commence.

It is you who are attacking us for loving the extraordinary form, what do you think of the eastern rite Catholics who also do not come to worship at your parishes are they also guilty of been self righteous and disdainful of the “mainstream”? Or is it just us evil traditionalists?

 

[MarkThompson]

Its the intolerant people like you who make us feel unwelcome in our own parishes that drive people away in the first place. Does my kneeling and receiving on the tongue offend you? Are you one of the horrible people that stares at me with hate when I receive in this way by any chance? That confronts me after Mass and accuses me of thinking I am better than everyone because I receive in this way?

First cast out the beam in your own eye and the evil in your own parish.

What an uncalled-for collection of personal attacks. On Sunday, no less. Where on earth did you come up with these notions? Oh, and if you’ve been finding yourself unwelcome in places and disliked by others, I can think of several very obvious reasons why that might be. You might want to reflect on it a little longer before posting another equivalent screed.

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

What an uncalled-for collection of personal attacks. On Sunday, no less. Where on earth did you come up with these notions? Oh, and if you’ve been finding yourself unwelcome in places and disliked by others, I can think of several very obvious reasons why that might be. You might want to reflect on it a little longer before posting another equivalent screed.

You are the one who picked a fight here, you have problem with those of us who prefer the extraordinary form, all we want is to be able to worship in the form of our choice and for that you accuse us of arrogance (“turning your nose up”) and turn a happy thread into a fight, you cant even allow us one thread on which to celebrate our Catholic Faith and our form of Mass without attacking us, take a good look at yourself before you begin to accusing others, you may find the faults you accuse them off are even greater in yourself.

If you don’t like us stay out of our part of the forum.

 

[MarkThompson]

You are the one who picked a fight here, you have problem with those of us who prefer the extraordinary form, all we want is to be able to worship in the form of our choice and for that you accuse us of arrogance and turn a happy thread into a fight, you cant even allow us to celebrate our Catholic Faith and our form of Mass without attacking us, take a good look at yourself before you begin to accusing others, you may find the faults you accuse them off are even greater in yourself.

You might have missed a few posts or something. First, someone posted about how the EF that they drive 50 miles to is virtually deserted, then said, “Here are all these people who have right in their own back yard a treasure that I have to drive 50 miles to get, and they can’t be bothered.” Oh yeah? Maybe they can be bothered, but they just don’t like like it. My entire point is that it makes no more sense to accuse these folks of being lazy, ingrates for not preferring this poster’s Mass than it would for them to accuse him of being a stuck-up snob for not preferring their Masses. I regret that you’ve read into my post an actual desire to make those accusations, rather than show how senseless and unjustified they are.

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

You might have missed a few posts or something. First, someone posted about how the EF that they drive 50 miles to is virtually deserted, then said, “Here are all these people who have right in their own back yard a treasure that I have to drive 50 miles to get, and they can’t be bothered.” Oh yeah? Maybe they can be bothered, but they just don’t like like it. My entire point is that it makes no more sense to accuse these folks of being lazy, ingrates for not preferring this poster’s Mass than it would for them to accuse him of being a stuck-up snob for not preferring their Masses. I regret that you’ve read into my post an actual desire to make those accusations, rather than show how senseless and unjustified they are.

Do you regret storming in here calling us all snobs because of the form of mass we love though Mark?

 

[MarkThompson]

Do you regret storming in here calling us all snobs because of the form of mass we love though Mark?

Reread, my friend.