First Mass in person

[kfinks]

I am not Catholic, so please forgive my unfamiliarity with terms and actions. These are honest and sincere questions regarding what I saw and experienced.

I have watched the daily Mass on EWTN most mornings the last several weeks. Last Saturday I attended my first Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The priest presiding at the mass was one from the chapel at EWTN so I expected it to be very close if not identical.

Several things were different, and I am sure there are good reasons, I just don’t no what they are. I do know that it was the Memorial of the beheading of John the Baptist.

1. In general, everything seemed much more formal. (For example, the priest came in wearing a short hat with a fuzzy ball on top)
2. The priest had someone on each side during the incensing, reading the gospel, lifting up the host and the wine,etc.
3. The priest faced the altar.
4. Most was in Latin.
5. We did not hear what was said when the priest was facing the altar.
6. There was no “I confess…”
7. There were no intercessions (may not be the correct term)

Can someone provide a quick explanation of why it was so different?

It was truly beautiful even if I didn’t understand everything that was happening. The priest elevating the host, and the nuns singing as the sun broke through the stained glass above the altar was incredible.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

What you experienced is what is now called the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (sometimes called the traditional Latin Mass or the Tridentine Mass). This is the form of Mass that was used universally in the Roman Catholic Church for hundreds of years. Latin is the official language of the Church, and until recently the Mass was celebrated in Latin worldwide.

About forty years ago, the liturgical reforms of Vatican II ushered in a new form of the Mass (now called the Ordinary Form of the Mass) with the option of celebrating in the vernacular (the language of the people). That is what you are accustomed to seeing.

Two years ago (July 7, 2007) Pope Benedict issued the Apostolic Letter “Summorum Pontificum” ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/b16SummorumPontificum.htm allowing for more widespread use of the tradiditional Latin Mass for those of the faithful who prefer it.

EWTN occasionally televises a traditional Latin Mass such as the one you attended.

By the way, there was an “I confess,” but it was said in Latin (“Confiteor Deo omnipotenti …”). In fact, it would have been said twice, once by the priest and once by the altar servers (and again by the altar servers before receiving Communion). You may not have noticed it, because the choir was probably singing the Introit (entrance psalm) at that time. You will find that in the traditional Latin Mass the priest and the choir/congregation each have their own “parts” to pray, and sometimes they occur simultaneously.

I’m glad you enjoyed it and appreciated the beauty of this treasure of the Catholic Church. I hope you will attend Mass often!

 

[thunderballs75]

Woah, you went to a Latin Mass. That’s kind of weird. I figured it’d be nearly impossible for somebody to stumble upon a Latin Mass by accident.

Anyways, I recommend this form of the Mass over the other version, but either is valid. Go to www.sanctamissa.org for more information. Also, you can learn the words at fisheaters.com/TLMinstructions.html .

God bless.

 

[datingtrappists]

It sounds like you’ve had a wonderful experience attending the Extraordinary Form of the Holy Sacrifice of Mass (or to be know hitherto in this post as EF). This is what most people refer to as “before Vatican II” Mass. After Vatican II, some changes were made that included the Mass being prayed in the vernacular, ad orientem (to the East… or facing the altar) was changed to versus populam (against the people), some of the softly said prayers being said in a more audible voice, etc… With that last change being pointed out, the Confiteor was most likely said, by both the priest and one of the servers (the server says it for the rest of the congregation, though for those who are familiar with the EF will pray along with the server) in a soft voice. Most of the Eucharist Prayer (or Roman Canon) is also said in a very soft voice by the priest. The people assisting at Mass know where he is by his body language (as there are specifically prescribed movements and postures (such as bowing and holding his hands together or standing straight and holding hands apart, or genunflecting) for particular parts of the prayer).

As far as the “short hat with a fuzzy ball on top”, that is called a Biretta (no, not the kind that packs heat ). Also, was there a part at the first of the Mass (techically it’s before Mass starts) where the priest sprinkled everyone with water, and afterwards he changed from a cape (called a Cope) to a “fiddle back” vestment (the Chausable)? If that’s the case, then this was definately an EF. I know that the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament has been doing some EF, and has been televising some as well. Again, I’m very glad that you got to experience the Mass in it’s full and historic form! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Also, this linked website was a great help as I was learning more about the EF.

 

[japhy]

It was truly beautiful even if I didn’t understand everything that was happening.

Thank you for recognizing the true beauty of the Mass, despite not understanding everything. This comment of yours alone is something a lot of people today aren’t able to say.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Try the Byzantine Divine LIturgy!

You can have a beautiful, rich experience, AND in English!

 

[kfinks]

Thank to all for your responses…

One other quick question regarding something I saw:

A couple of people did not receive the host, but the priest placed his hand on their heads. Blessing, maybe? If so, what would be the reason?

 

[sancte_joseph]

Thank to all for your responses…

One other quick question regarding something I saw:

A couple of people did not receive the host, but the priest placed his hand on their heads. Blessing, maybe? If so, what would be the reason?

Maybe they were not able to receive communion because they’re still not in the church… or they were in a state of mortal sin and hadn’t confessed yet.