First Latin Mass Question

[catholic_gal]

Hello everyone,

I am going to my first traditional, Latin Mass on Sunday, and am wondering if you could give me any pointers (is that the right word?) I was born in 1979, so all I’ve ever known is the Novus Ordo Mass. Something within me, however, is moving me back towards the tradition of the Church.

I’m actually a little nervous (I don’t even know PIG Latin, much less Latin), but also excited. What are the main differences between the traditional vs. modern Mass (speaking from a congregation point-of-view)? Obviously, the dress must be respectful, but what about the gestures? How does one receive the Eucharist differently? (I always receive on the tongue, but how else is it different?)

Also, is there a difference in receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Latin rite?

Any insight for this Gen X’er into the beautiful heritage of our faith would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Tara

 

[ProVobis]

How does one receive the Eucharist differently? (I always receive on the tongue, but how else is it different?)

If you choose to receive, it will most likely be at a communion rail or they will provide kneelers. The communion formula is different. The priest will say “Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen.” (May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting. Amen.) You need not respond “Amen.”

Also, is there a difference in receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Latin rite?

Nothing different except the absolution will be in Latin. Just as valid.

 

[dans0622]

…
I’m actually a little nervous (I don’t even know PIG Latin, much less Latin), … what about the gestures? …

Hello,

Look for a missal of some sort as you enter–something should be there for use during Mass. It will at least have a translation of the ordinary parts of the Mass (the parts that are the same every week). Be aware, though, that you may not hear many prayers of the priest so you might have a hard time “following along.”

This Sunday will be the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. You might be able to find the readings and proper prayers somewhere online, so that you can do a bit of preparation. Readings are usually repeated in English before the homily.

As for gestures: do what the other people do. If they aren’t all doing the same thing, do whatever you want to do (i.e., kneel instead of stand, sit instead of kneel, etc.).

Dan

 

[johnnyc176]

Hello everyone,

I am going to my first traditional, Latin Mass on Sunday, and am wondering if you could give me any pointers (is that the right word?) I was born in 1979, so all I’ve ever known is the Novus Ordo Mass. Something within me, however, is moving me back towards the tradition of the Church.

I’m actually a little nervous (I don’t even know PIG Latin, much less Latin), but also excited. What are the main differences between the traditional vs. modern Mass (speaking from a congregation point-of-view)? Obviously, the dress must be respectful, but what about the gestures? How does one receive the Eucharist differently? (I always receive on the tongue, but how else is it different?)

Also, is there a difference in receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Latin rite?

Any insight for this Gen X’er into the beautiful heritage of our faith would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Tara

If you have a Catholic bookstore nearby you may be able to get this book before Sunday. If not get it for future reference.

Treasure and Tradition by Lisa Bergman…

newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/11/review-of-treasure-and-tradition.html#.VbD2RbNVhBc

 

[Usige]

One of the other things that catch some off guard is that the responses are done by the altar servers or in some cases the choir. Some parishes will have the parishioners say the responses thereby making it a dialog mass. That’s not common in my neck of the woods. Even if you don’t say the responses out loud, some will say them in a very low voice or simply repeat them in their head. One other things I’ve heard some mention is that the laity don’t offer each other the sign of peace. Finally, if it’s a low mass it will be spoken without chant or music.

As for confession it’s basically the same, As ProVobis mentioned the absolution will be in Latin, but the key thing you are listening for is “te absolvo”. Some priests will also start the absolution at the same time you are saying an act of contrition. This caught me a little off guard. I also have personally never seen provisions for face-to-face confession in FSSP parishes; it is always behind the screen. Even when doing a scheduled confession in the pastor’s office he has a kneeler with a screen at the end of the desk for this purpose.

You can try to follow along in a missal, but many find it difficult the first couple times. The FSSP parish I occasionally attend has small red books at the door that are a little easier to follow. They don’t have any of the changeable parts of the Mass, but do include pictures to help you know where in the Mass that section is. The first time I went I simply read through an order of the mass and then found the readings online. Once I went to mass I sat in back and followed the lead of those around me.

 

[JakeWI]

The couple times I went to a EF Mass, I had a tough time following along… but I figured out the general part of the Mass pretty easily. Both times, it was hard hearing the Priest… but I saw what was happening, when the bells were rung, and followed when everyone else would kneel or do sign of the cross. I guess I have been fortunate to have been exposed to the Agnus Dei in Latin frequently at my own Parish, as well as many Catholic hymns in Latin… so it has helped make things easier to figure out at an all Latin Mass.

Dress, of course, is respectful. I saw a lot of females wearing veils (I actually got my wife one for her confirmation to the Catholic church). If you feel the want or need to get one, I bought it at a Catholic gift store at a shrine. They were more specifically called “mantillas”. Relatively inexpensive too.

Communion was at the rails, received on the tongue. It is actually quite a natural feeling for me when I receive this way… I can’t really explain it.

Reconciliation… I can’t really explain that… as I have always received it locally during the week or Saturday morning prior to Sunday Mass.

Either way, I will be praying for you. It is a true blessing to attend, and to be able to attend, a Mass like that. God Bless!

 

[porthos11]

If the Mass is High or Sung, there will be simultaneous things also going on.

During the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, the priest and servers will have their dialog while the choir is intoning the Introit. The Confiteor takes place here, but you won’t hear it.

At key parts of the Ordinary—the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei—the priest recites the texts quietly rather than sing along with the choir. When he’s done, he returns to his chair and waits out the sung version by the choir. Typically, the congregation sits when this happens (as opposed to standing throughout at the Ordinary Form).

The Sign of the Cross is made by the priest and servers at multiple places and it has become customary for the congregation to follow along. Notably, at the last line of the Gloria and Credo, and the “Benedictus qui venit” during the Sanctus (which is no longer done at the Ordinary Form). There are also signs of the Cross at the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, and the congregation usually follows along because one of them is at the Absolution (“Indulgentiam, absolutionem…”)

At a sung Credo, a full kneel is made by the congregation at the “et incarnatus est”

There is no “sign of peace” among the congregation.

Postures: Assuming this is a High or Sung Mass, postures are typically as follows (however, there may be local variation, so observe the congregation).

Stand: at the Asperges Me (the Asperges is only on Sundays)
Kneel: for the prayers at the foot of the altar.
Stand: when the priest ascends the altar (about the same time the Kyrie begins)
Stand: for the Gloria. Sit: when the priest sits.
Stand: When the priest stands to return to the altar. For the Collect.
Sit: for the Lesson/Epistle, Gradual and Alleluia/Tract
Stand: for the Gospel. Usually “Dominus vobiscum” is the cue.
Sit: for the homily/sermon.
Stand: for the Credo. Kneel/genuflect: “et incarnatus est…et homo factus est.”
Stand: until the priest returns to his chair. Sit: as the priest sits (if the Mass is Solemn High, sit when both the Deacon and Subdeacon both sit as well).
Stand: when the priest returns to the altar and the Credo finishes and the priest greets “Dominus Vobiscum”
Sit: for the offertory.
Stand: for the incensation of the congregation through the Preface.
Kneel: for the Sanctus, Canon, Consecration through the Amen (contrast the OF, where we stand for the Sanctus).
Stand: for the Lord’s Prayer.
Kneel: for the Agnus Dei (contrast with the OF where we stand). Beating the breast is customary.
Kneel: for the Prayers before Communion and the Domine non sum dignus. It is customary to beat the breast.
Kneel for Communion. Communion is received only on the tongue, and under only one form.
Kneeling is customarily maintained for as long as the Tabernacle is open.
Stand: for the postcommunion prayer and the Ite missa est.
Kneel: for the priest’s blessing.
Stand: for the Last Gospel. The customary small crosses on the forehead, lips and heart is made.
Genuflect: at “et verbum caro factum est”
Stand: when the Last Gospel ends and the ministers process out.

 

[Thomas_Casey]

Question answered