First time at a TLM

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So today I went for High Mass at a TLM. While I very much found it humbling, I was surprised that the congregation doesn’t say a single word during it (that is, there are no congregational responses). The choir did all the singing by themselves and made all the responses to the priest.

Is this normal? In a way I was kind of saddened by this (but not enough that would make me stop going there!! 😉 )
 
northstar3 said:
So today I went for High Mass at a TLM. While I very much found it humbling, I was surprised that the congregation doesn’t say a single word during it (that is, there are no congregational responses). The choir did all the singing by themselves and made all the responses to the priest.

Is this normal? In a way I was kind of saddened by this (but not enough that would make me stop going there!! 😉 )
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The norm is that it is priest, servers, and choir in dialogue. In some areas, the parish joined the choir in responding.

Considered by some to be an institutionalized abuse, by others merely a problem, and by others still, a strength.
 
northstar3 said:
So today I went for High Mass at a TLM. While I very much found it humbling, I was surprised that the congregation doesn’t say a single word during it (that is, there are no congregational responses). The choir did all the singing by themselves and made all the responses to the priest.

Is this normal? In a way I was kind of saddened by this (but not enough that would make me stop going there!! 😉 )
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The people never responded with “et cum spiritu tuo”? Everybody says that at our LM, as well as “sed libera nos a malo” at the end of the Pater Noster. We also do the Asperges me, and some people join the choir on the Gloria and Credo.
 
Aramis gave a good response.
Our chaplain likes to have a missa cantata. It is the cantor (we are trying to get a choir started), servers and priest. From the way he has been talking, Fr. may want to eventually get the congregation more involved. But congregational involvement does seem to be a more recent event in the history of the TLM.
 
At our Chapel there are a few of us who do make all the responses, kind of audibly, but not out loud, if that makes any sense.

I also follow along with all the Priest’s prayers, silently of course, in English. It is amazing to me how beautiful these prayers are. There is a book written by an long passed-into-eternal-life Benedictine Priest by the name of Dom Gaspar Lefebvre (from what I can tell, not a relative of the Arbishop Lefebvre, but even so, the book was published in 1937, so there should be no scandal that I have posted about the book) called “How to Understand the Mass” (Catholic Authors Press)which gives a short history of the each part of the Mass, and a great explanation of the prayers.

This book along with Archbishop Sheen’s “Calvary and the Mass” are wonderful explanations of the Mass of the Ages.
 
Pam_Folbrecht said:
The people never responded with “et cum spiritu tuo”? Everybody says that at our LM, as well as “sed libera nos a malo” at the end of the Pater Noster. We also do the Asperges me, and some people join the choir on the Gloria and Credo.
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It was never required of them to do so in the rubrics.
 
When I go to the LM, I always say the responses. I say them quietly, and I sing along with the choir as well.
 
It depends on what the priest wants. It is a good idea to ask him. Often it throws the servers off. Our priest prefers that only the servers give the responses.
 
Thanks for the replies. I’ll try and locate a Missal and follow along next time, perhaps that would be best as I could silently pray along as well then!
 
OK, one more thing I forgot to add (Sorry!).

I noticed that there are 2 confessionals where I went. The celebrating priest was in one, and another priest in the other. However, the other priest stayed in his even after Mass started and people were continuing to go in throughout Mass up until just before Communion.

Is this a common practice as well? Thanks.
 
northstar3 said:
OK, one more thing I forgot to add (Sorry!).

I noticed that there are 2 confessionals where I went. The celebrating priest was in one, and another priest in the other. However, the other priest stayed in his even after Mass started and people were continuing to go in throughout Mass up until just before Communion.

Is this a common practice as well? Thanks.
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Yes.
 
northstar3 said:
OK, one more thing I forgot to add (Sorry!).

I noticed that there are 2 confessionals where I went. The celebrating priest was in one, and another priest in the other. However, the other priest stayed in his even after Mass started and people were continuing to go in throughout Mass up until just before Communion.

Is this a common practice as well? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I have NEVER experienced this practice, but it could be because in my area there is only 1 Priest who Celebrates the Sacred Mass according to the Missal of 1962.

It does not seem right to me that any other action should take place in the Church when the Sacred Liturgy is being celebrated.

Am I incorrect, brothers and sisters? This is an invitation to catechize me!
 
it’s not uncommon, but not entirely normative, either.

It is only supposed to be done if the confession lines are too long; if it is consistent, confession times are supposed to be extended further before mass.
 
northstar3 said:
OK, one more thing I forgot to add (Sorry!).

I noticed that there are 2 confessionals where I went. The celebrating priest was in one, and another priest in the other. However, the other priest stayed in his even after Mass started and people were continuing to go in throughout Mass up until just before Communion.

Is this a common practice as well? Thanks.
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It is an acceptable practice. We allow it when there is an extra priest and the people want it. Our church building is undergoing renovation, so we rent time in between two other Masses at another church. There is no time before and very little after for confessions. The line is always very long. I don’t find it distracting at all since the people in line are very respectful (kneeling at the appropriate times, etc.) and quiet. I really don’t even notice it.
 
northstar3 said:
So today I went for High Mass at a TLM. While I very much found it humbling, I was surprised that the congregation doesn’t say a single word during it (that is, there are no congregational responses). The choir did all the singing by themselves and made all the responses to the priest.

Is this normal? In a way I was kind of saddened by this (but not enough that would make me stop going there!! 😉 )
Click to expand...
Don’t be sad, it is quite normal and fitting. Just use your Missal and silently follow the words in English. Try to remember that this Traditional Mass was said for hundreds of years before the Novus Ordo (only the last 40 or so years) and note how much more there is to it. The congregation is there to witness the Sacrifice of the Mass by the Priest, who you will note, is turned towards the Tabernacle of Cross giving his undivided attention to our Lord.
 
northstar3 said:
So today I went for High Mass at a TLM. While I very much found it humbling, I was surprised that the congregation doesn’t say a single word during it (that is, there are no congregational responses). The choir did all the singing by themselves and made all the responses to the priest.

Is this normal? In a way I was kind of saddened by this (but not enough that would make me stop going there!! 😉 )

**
That is the Mass of my childhood. I know the entire Latin Mass. I was a choir boy for several years and sang the songs. The only place that I remember the congregational responding is when the priest said: Pax Dómini sit semper vobís cum. (The peace of the Lord be always with you.) The congregation responded : Et cum spíritu tuo. (And with thy spirit).

Northstar, Due to my 27 years of Military service, I have been to many Masses, in about 11 countries, and heard Mass said in many languages, with small differences based on culture and traditions ( I love the Mass in Lakota with the Native American influences) I have heard the Mass with all kind of music and instruments.
*What I find most humbling ***is being in the presence of My God; To be able to eat His Flesh and Drink His blood, as He commanded me to. Nothing else is important. NOTHING!
Throw away the music, the language, whatever the RCC feels isn’t necesssary. The only thing that really matters is the reception of the sacrament of the Euchurist in a worship service that His" real church" determines is the way to worship. Small “t” traditions matter not! The real presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the only really important Tradition. If He isn’t there “in the Euchurist”, you might as well go to a protestant prayer service or a good movie!

Do you know if this is a Tridentine Latin Rite Church mass you attended? If so, they are not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Members of the group, are among thousands of disaffected Catholics worldwide who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s after the Vatican adopted reforms to broaden the church’s impact and appeal to the local populations.

The defectors thought the so-called Vatican II reforms destroyed the “true faith.” They started their own movements to keep the traditions alive. They are not in communication with the RCC and we should not attend their Masses.

Northstar, do not be quick to change! Talk with your local priest to insure that the Mass you attended is a “real” mass! The devil runs around loss like a lion attempting to devourer everyone!

God Bless
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Thanks for the reply, I do know what you are saying. And yes, this church is indeed a “real” catholic church. It is in the custody of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

Thank you again.
 
maurin said:
I have NEVER experienced this practice, but it could be because in my area there is only 1 Priest who Celebrates the Sacred Mass according to the Missal of 1962.

It does not seem right to me that any other action should take place in the Church when the Sacred Liturgy is being celebrated.

Am I incorrect, brothers and sisters? This is an invitation to catechize me!
Click to expand...
**
YOU ARE CORRECT! :highprayer: There should never be anything else going on when the Sacred Liturgy is occurring! The “other” priest might concelebrate with the other priest, but should never take away from the Mass. And yes it would!

:amen: **
 
northstar3 said:
Thanks for the reply, I do know what you are saying. And yes, this church is indeed a “real” catholic church. It is in the custody of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

Thank you again.
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**
God Bless! :signofcross:
Yup! They be real Catholics! I sometimes attend a TLM here in San Antonio, also a German High Mass (The Church and language of my ancestors) But as I said Jesus is the important one, No one or thing! 👍 **
 
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