First Mass in the Extraordinary Form... What is the difference?

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fish90

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I am planning on going to a mass in the extraordinary form. I have never been to one before; should I even attend since I am so ignorant and if I can what is the difference between the Novus Ordo and the Tridentine Mass?

Thanks
 
Read, “Sacred Then, Sacred Now” by Thomas Woods. It is a short great read and your first experience would be heightened by it.
 
Well it depends:

I’m going to assume you will be at a Low Mass or a Missa Cantana (sung mass) as these are the most common.

One thing you will first notice is that the Altar Boys/Men (women do not serve at the altar) will be wearing Cassocks and Surplices. The Priest will be wearing an elaborate Chasuble over his Alb and wearing a Biretta as he walks in. You will also note that the Priest will only speak loud enough for the Altar Servers to hear him. This is because they need to know when to perform their functions, in reality only God needs to hear the prayers. Also the Priest will face towards God (versus Deum) as opposed to facing the people as he does in the N.O.

The Mass does not begin like in the N.O. The Priest and Altar Servers will say several prayers at the Foot of the Altar. The Sign of the Cross followed by Psalm 42 (Psalm 43 in Protestant Bibles) the Judica Me. Then he will recite the Confiteor begging God for forgiveness and the Altar servers will recite it after the Priest. He will then enter the Altar.

There is a rich symbolism here, think of the Altar almost as Heaven on earth, the Priest and his servers acknowledge that they are not worthy, but on the word of God he enters this paradise that the may offer the same unbloodied Sacrifice as Christ did on Calvary.

Then the Kyrie will be said alternatively by the Priest and Servers. Nine times, three times to each of the Three Divine Persons. The Gloria is then said or sung by the Priest. Then the Priest will say a prayer called the Collect which varies each Sunday. Then he will read the Epistle.

Before the Gospel a prayer called the Gradual is said, the Priest will signal the people to stand at the beginning of the Gospel.

Following this the Priest will face the people and read the Epistle and Gospel in English (or the majority language of the people) followed by a short Homily.

After this comes the Mass of the Faithful which begins with the Creed followed by the Offertory followed by a variable prayer called the Secret.

Next follows the Canon of the Mass, this part of the Mass goes straight back to the Apostles themselves and has the words of Christ as it is in the Gospels. He will say these prayers VERY softly, practically inaudible. You are invited to participate by joining your prayers with his either by following along in the Missal. Some people may pray the Rosary during this part, it will be quiet enough to hear a pin drop and you will be able to reflect and pray.

After the Canon comes the Lords Prayer, at this point the Priest has already said the words of Consecration so Christ is truly present on the Altar at this point. The Agnus Dei and Domine non sum Dignis will be recited and the Priest will receive Communion under both kinds. The People then recite these prayers and they will receive only under the appearance of bread, while kneeling, and only on the tongue.

Afterwards is a blessing, followed by the reading of the Last Gospel. It is traditional after a Low Mass to recite a series of Prayers known as the Leonine prayers. These are the Hail Mary (3x) the Hail, Holy Queen, the Prayer to St. Michael, and a petition to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Following this the Priest will leave and usually will go with his Altar Servers to a private room and recite the Canticle of the Three Children. Some people will leave after the Mass while others will stay for a couple of minutes and reflect on the mysteries just celebrated.

Enjoy it! It’s the most beautiful action this side of Heaven!

Laus Deo
 
And I forgot to mention, if you get lost as to when you sit, stand, or kneel, just follow the Altar Servers! (Though there are a couple of points where this differs, most notably the beginning of the Mass, it is a good rule to follow). Also they may have a booklet for new visitors.
 
Am I supposed to remain silent since I am not too knowledgeable of Latin?

Would the parish allow communion in the hand due to the swine flu?

Can I receive communion in one kind?

Would be better off not going up to Communion?

Do you have to go to the High Mass in order to fulfill the Sunday obligation?

Have any other “inside” tips?

Thank you for your replies
 
fish90 said:
Am I supposed to remain silent since I am not too knowledgeable of Latin?

Would the parish allow communion in the hand due to the swine flu?

Can I receive communion in one kind?

Would be better off not going up to Communion?

Do you have to go to the High Mass in order to fulfill the Sunday obligation?

Have any other “inside” tips?

Thank you for your replies
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Whether you have a knowledge of Latin or not does not make a difference. The people are largely silent, the one thing they will say is the Domine non sum dignis, which you do not have to say. Your participation is largely silent, offering your prayers with the prayers of the Priest, who is in turn offering them to God. The EF Mass is based on action, whereas the NO Mass is based on words.

The Parish, indeed even the Vatican, cannot allow CITH (Communion in the hand) in the Extraordinary Form as the Rubrics are celebrated as according to 1962, and CITH did not yet exist. You can only receive on the tongue in the EF.

Not only can you receive under one kind, you are only allowed to receive under one kind. Again as the Rubrics are from 1962, Communion under both kinds did not yet exist for the laity (though I am told during a Nuptial Mass the Bride and Groom were allowed to receive under both kinds, don’t quote me on this though). Know though that Christ is fully present under both species, so by only receiving the Host you are not denied any spiritual benefit necessary for salvation.

Going up for Communion is a very personal decision, the risk of Disease transmission is low (though it does exist). As far as the Spiritual aspects go, so long as you have fasted for one hour (though many who go the EF as a pious custom will wait 3 hours as it was under Pius XII, rarely an even smaller number will follow the old 12 hour rule, though this was under the assumption they were attending Mass in the morning.) and are free from Mortal Sin, it is your choice to receive Communion or not. Note however that there is only one Code of Canon Law so the elderly and those who cannot fast for a valid medical reason are exempt from the one hour rule. As a side note daily Communion was relatively rare in the West until Pius X c. 1900, there are times during weekday masses celebrated at the College I attend where I will not receive Communion. Especially as I like to make a good Confession right before Mass. Similarly it was not uncommon before Vatican II to have a Priest hear Confessions until the beginning of the Canon.

A Low Mass, Missa Cantana, High Mass, Ordinary Form Mass, or Eastern Catholic divine liturgy fulfill the Sunday Obligation. If you attend the Low Mass you have met the obligation.

Who is holding the Mass, is it the Diocese or the FSSP? I recommend staying away from the SSPX as they are currently Canonically irregular and hold no jurisdiction recognized by the Holy See.

Laus Deo
 
The priest won’t necessarily wear a biretta; the FSSP priest nearby here doesn’t except for the very rare Solemn High Mass.

You don’t have to know the whole Mass in advance, just go! I mainly attend the OF but I like to go to the EF about once a month. The first time I went I felt a little lost, but that’s okay. There were two things that most caught me off guard:
  1. There are several parts of the Mass that you can’t hear at all because the priest says them quietly - most notably, the entire Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer).
  2. There’s a lot more sit/stand/kneel throughout the Mass.
Watch others around you to know when to sit/stand/kneel. Follow along in a Missal if available but don’t worry if you get a little lost, and sing/say parts where you feel comfortable. Practice “Et cum spiritu tuo” if you like (it generally comes after “Dominus vobiscum.”) Receive Communion (on the tongue, don’t say “amen”) if you are a Catholic in a state of grace and wish to do so.
Watch for the consecration - the priest will elevate the Host, then the chalice, and the bells will ring three times each time.
 
DorianGregorian said:
Whether you have a knowledge of Latin or not does not make a difference. The people are largely silent, the one thing they will say is the Domine non sum dignis, which you do not have to say. Your participation is largely silent, offering your prayers with the prayers of the Priest, who is in turn offering them to God. The EF Mass is based on action, whereas the NO Mass is based on words.

The Parish, indeed even the Vatican, cannot allow CITH (Communion in the hand) in the Extraordinary Form as the Rubrics are celebrated as according to 1962, and CITH did not yet exist. You can only receive on the tongue in the EF.

Not only can you receive under one kind, you are only allowed to receive under one kind. Again as the Rubrics are from 1962, Communion under both kinds did not yet exist for the laity (though I am told during a Nuptial Mass the Bride and Groom were allowed to receive under both kinds, don’t quote me on this though). Know though that Christ is fully present under both species, so by only receiving the Host you are not denied any spiritual benefit necessary for salvation.

Going up for Communion is a very personal decision, the risk of Disease transmission is low (though it does exist). As far as the Spiritual aspects go, so long as you have fasted for one hour (though many who go the EF as a pious custom will wait 3 hours as it was under Pius XII, rarely an even smaller number will follow the old 12 hour rule, though this was under the assumption they were attending Mass in the morning.) and are free from Mortal Sin, it is your choice to receive Communion or not. Note however that there is only one Code of Canon Law so the elderly and those who cannot fast for a valid medical reason are exempt from the one hour rule. As a side note daily Communion was relatively rare in the West until Pius X c. 1900, there are times during weekday masses celebrated at the College I attend where I will not receive Communion. Especially as I like to make a good Confession right before Mass. Similarly it was not uncommon before Vatican II to have a Priest hear Confessions until the beginning of the Canon.

A Low Mass, Missa Cantana, High Mass, Ordinary Form Mass, or Eastern Catholic divine liturgy fulfill the Sunday Obligation. If you attend the Low Mass you have met the obligation.

Who is holding the Mass, is it the Diocese or the FSSP? I recommend staying away from the SSPX as they are currently Canonically irregular and hold no jurisdiction recognized by the Holy See.

Laus Deo
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I believe the Church is a diocesan church. The bulletin reads “Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest” if that helps. Like I said I am very ignorant of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Thanks
 
And don’t say ‘amen’ before receiving communion.
 
fish90 said:
I believe the Church is a diocesan church. The bulletin reads “Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest” if that helps. Like I said I am very ignorant of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Thanks
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I’m pretty sure the Institute is in good standing with the Pope and Magisterium, so you should be good to go there! And I’ve never been to an Institute Mass or chapel but if it’s anything like the photos I’ve seen, it could be truly beautiful.

institute-christ-king.org/home/
 
fish90 said:
I believe the Church is a diocesan church. The bulletin reads “Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest” if that helps. Like I said I am very ignorant of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Thanks
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They’re almost certainly the Religious Order of the same name. They’re a Religious Order in Communion with the Pope dedicated to the Latin Mass.

Don’t worry about being ignorant, we’re in a time where people are re-learning the beauty of the mass. Maybe get there a little early and ask (outside the Church itsself) an usher or someone who works for the Church your questions. They’ll make you feel welcome.
 
DorianGregorian said:
The Mass does not begin like in the N.O. The Priest and Altar Servers will say several prayers at the Foot of the Altar. The Sign of the Cross followed by Psalm 42 (Psalm 43 in Protestant Bibles) the Judica Me. Then he will recite the Confiteor begging God for forgiveness and the Altar servers will recite it after the Priest. He will then enter the Altar.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I really hoe you go to the TLM. I went to my first a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to return (committments at my parish have prevented me from returning sooner). I can only echo what others have said here: don’t get too caught up with trying to follow along in a missal and just enjoy it. Now that I’ve experienced the TLM and looked through my missal, I think I will be able to follow along next time.
 
Hello,

I went to the Traditional Latin Mass today. I found it a little nerve wracking because I usually go to the Novus Ordo. I had no idea how to receive the Eucharist so I stayed kneeling because I did not want to screw up. A very nice lady let me use her extra missal as well. Also, I was very surprised to see so many young people. The married people seemed to be at most thirty. I have a couple of questions if someone would please answer.

How do you receive Communion?

Where do I get a good missal?

How do I follow along since I do not know Latin?

Thanks
 
fish90 said:
Hello,

I went to the Traditional Latin Mass today. I found it a little nerve wracking because I usually go to the Novus Ordo. I had no idea how to receive the Eucharist so I stayed kneeling because I did not want to screw up. A very nice lady let me use her extra missal as well. Also, I was very surprised to see so many young people. The married people seemed to be at most thirty. I have a couple of questions if someone would please answer.

How do you receive Communion?

Where do I get a good missal?

How do I follow along since I do not know Latin?

Thanks
Click to expand...
To receive, generally you would go to the altar rail with everyone else and kneel, and receive on the tongue. Don’t say “Amen” to the priest before receiving.

I’m not sure where to get a good missal (someone here will know) because where I go has missals that they pass out. But to follow along, Latin is on one side and English on the other. Watch for the priest’s actions - they should be indicated in the missal - and listen for the parts said out loud, especially the choir parts (if Sung or High Mass) like the Kyrie and Credo.
 
fish90 said:
Hello,

I went to the Traditional Latin Mass today. I found it a little nerve wracking because I usually go to the Novus Ordo. I had no idea how to receive the Eucharist so I stayed kneeling because I did not want to screw up. A very nice lady let me use her extra missal as well. Also, I was very surprised to see so many young people. The married people seemed to be at most thirty. I have a couple of questions if someone would please answer.

How do you receive Communion?

Where do I get a good missal?

How do I follow along since I do not know Latin?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Reception is done kneeling and on the tongue. It is done under one species only except in certain specific circumstances.

Good missals are readily available on line through E-bay used and from several modern publishers as well. The Baronius Press issue is good but not the only one available. The Missal used in the Extraordinary form is the 1962 edition. As an aside most Extraordinary Form Masses will have a number of Missals available for the congregation. They are abbreviated Missals and are intended for those with little of no exposure to the Extraordinary Form. They are simple and easy to use.

Following along is easy as the Missal will have the vernacular printed on the opposite page from the Latin, usually on the right hand side… Remember though, it is not as important that you keep up as it is in the Ordinary Form. The important thing is that you pray the Mass with the Priest. You can use the vernacular. Most people do as a matter of fact. While there is a greater rigidity in the Extraordinary Form for the Priest and Servers there is much more latitude given to the laity. They do not have to be in lockstep as is the practice in most places these days in the Ordinary Form.

I would recommend that you read over the rubrics of the Mass and familiarize yourself with what the Priest does at certain times as many of his movements, vocaliztions, positions at the Altar and gestures can and and are used as cues as to where he is in the Mass if you do get lost. I know it can look intimidating but it is all very easy and natural once you learn that the Extraordinary Form is focused on one thing.

The worship of God. 👍

It isn’t concerned with cultural assimilation, inclusion of each and every possible option, political correctness, diversity or every one having a rollicking good time… Sad to say, in many Ordinary Form Masses the focus turns towards the congregation in all of its glory instead of remaining focused on God.:eek: And yes I know that is not the intent, at least it is not supposed to be in the intent, but it does happen. Often.:tsktsk:

I truly believe that is one of the primary reason the Extraordinary Form has so many complex aspects and is so rigidly enforced. It forces those involved to remain focused on what they are doing, instead of having room to wander off in uncharted waters.

And humans being what we are, will wander off if given the opportunity. That has been proven over and over again throughout history…
 
So is this a Latin mass? What other names does it go by? I attended one if these masses last year and didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t even know what to call it.
 
JIB said:
So is this a Latin mass? What other names does it go by? I attended one if these masses last year and didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t even know what to call it.
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It is known as the Extraordinary Form, the usus antiquior, the Tridentine Mass, the Traditinal Latin Mass, and other names. Technically, avoid calling it “Latin Mass,” because the newer form, the Mass that is most common, should always contain at leas some Latin.
 
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