First time going to EF Mass

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So I recently found out there is a Latin EF Mass in the next city, and I decided I want to attend. I was going to go to a daily Mass, because of the time (in about 3 hours, when I get off work) or I could wait and go this Sunday.

Um, besides it being in Latin (and not being able to find anything that explains the order of the EF Mass to me) and not knowing what is going on, what else should I expect? Actually, I have a feeling I will know what is going on, by seeing/doing it, but I will still be totally lost.

So, is there anything I should know?
 
misspriss said:
So I recently found out there is a Latin EF Mass in the next city, and I decided I want to attend. I was going to go to a daily Mass, because of the time (in about 3 hours, when I get off work) or I could wait and go this Sunday.

Um, besides it being in Latin (and not being able to find anything that explains the order of the EF Mass to me) and not knowing what is going on, what else should I expect? Actually, I have a feeling I will know what is going on, by seeing/doing it, but I will still be totally lost.

So, is there anything I should know?
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They will have English/Latin missals available, if you don’t see them you could ask someone.
 
misspriss said:
So I recently found out there is a Latin EF Mass in the next city, and I decided I want to attend. I was going to go to a daily Mass, because of the time (in about 3 hours, when I get off work) or I could wait and go this Sunday.

Um, besides it being in Latin (and not being able to find anything that explains the order of the EF Mass to me) and not knowing what is going on, what else should I expect? Actually, I have a feeling I will know what is going on, by seeing/doing it, but I will still be totally lost.

So, is there anything I should know?
Click to expand...
try this website…

sanctamissa.org/en/
 
When I went to an EF mass last sunday (for the first time) and I was kneeling in prayer before the mass begun, one of the greeters left me a missal of the latin mass. On one page there is the latin and other is the english (in the missal that was at my parish)
.
However, I found it easier to just focus on being in a prayerful mindset and kneeling when I was meant to kneel. When you hear the bells, that is when the consecration is happening.
I found it easier to just worry about being in a prayerful mindset and let the priest do his job - as you won’t see much as he will have his back to you (unlike OF where they are facing you).

I have to say, I found EF to be incredibly evocative for prayer and adoration, rather than worrying about when I’m supposed to say ‘stuff’ like in OF.
 
misspriss said:
So I recently found out there is a Latin EF Mass in the next city, and I decided I want to attend. I was going to go to a daily Mass, because of the time (in about 3 hours, when I get off work) or I could wait and go this Sunday.

Um, besides it being in Latin (and not being able to find anything that explains the order of the EF Mass to me) and not knowing what is going on, what else should I expect? Actually, I have a feeling I will know what is going on, by seeing/doing it, but I will still be totally lost.

So, is there anything I should know?
Click to expand...
If you have the opportunity, wait and go to a Sunday High (Sung) Mass. If you are new to the Latin Mass, those tend to be quite beautiful and aren’t quite as confusing as a Low Mass. The first few Latin masses, I went to, I was lost even with the missal. But with the smells and bells of the High Mass, not to mention the beauty of the liturgy, I felt at peace even though I did not quite understand the order of things.
 
Do you know if it is going to be a Low Mass, High Mass (Missa cantata), or Solemn Mass?
 
My advice? Avoid trying to follow along in a missal right now. Just absorb it all and pray. If it’s Sunday Mass the Epistle and Gospel will likely be read again in the vernacular before the homily. If it’s anything but a Low Mass some responses will be sung by the choir and laity. You don’t have to worry about that though.

Here’s a simple guide for you.

When the priest and servers (or deacon and sub-deacon and MC if it’s a Solemn High Mass) reach the bottom of the steps, they’ll start the Mass. At this point it’s all about confessing your unworthiness, your sins, etc. The Penitential part. From when the priest goes up to the altar to the Gospel this is the time when God is speaking to us through Scripture, etc. The liturgy of the Word, essentially. From the Creed to the Pater Noster, the Holy Sacrifice. Adoration, Thanksgiving, Reparation for our sins and asking for all that is necessary for ourselves and His Church. After the three bells at the Sanctus there’s another lone bell at the Hanc Igitur. This is the sign to re-double your attention for the consecration. And from the Pater Noster to the Last Gospel is the priest’s and people’s communion.

Follow that general outline and you’ll get along fine.

By the way, unless it’s Low Mass, you probably wont hear the prayers at the foot of the altar. I think technically the celebrant is meant to wait until the choir is finished singing the Introit before beginning but the practice I’ve always witnessed is to start even if the choir is still singing. So when they get there, just start making acts of contrition, the Confiteor, etc. Keep your eyes peeled for the opening sign of the cross.
 
I also recommend going to a sung mass of one sort or another, not a Low Mass for the first time. It will be enough of a culture shock as it is with a Missa Cantata or Solemn Mass. I would assume a Sunday mass would be less likely to be a Low Mass than a weekday one.

Some people love the Low Mass. It can be a very prayerful experience. But for a first time experience of the “historical” form of the Roman Rite I’d think you’d want a more “complete” version. For this the Solemn Mass (Solemn High Mass) would be best in theory, if you can find it.
misspriss said:
Actually, I have a feeling I will know what is going on, by seeing/doing it, but I will still be totally lost.
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Yes, this was my experience the first time I went.
 
The only think of is that you will be expected to kneel to receive Communion and receive on the tongue (I’ve seen someone stand for many puzzling seconds before getting it).

Other than that, you’re in for a treat.
 
I love Low Mass. But the Solemn High Mass (priest, deacon, sub-deacon and army of altar boys) is the fullest expression of the traditional liturgy. My culture shock was actually transitioning from Low Mass to High Mass. But that’s because I was exposed via serving. When I actually had a chance to sit back in the pews and see it…

Then I could actually see what people meant when they said it’s the most beautiful thing this side of heaven.
 
A weekday Mass will most likely (99.9% unless it’s a Holy Day or perhaps a funeral) be a Low Mass. A Sunday Mass may be Low Mass but may also be “High” Mass (either Missa Cantata or Missa Solemnis). Many communities alternate between Low and High (which generally means Missa Cantata since Solemn Mass is a bit of a rarity in most places). In any case, it depends on the particular locale.
 
HonoraDominum said:
If you have the opportunity, wait and go to a Sunday High (Sung) Mass. If you are new to the Latin Mass, those tend to be quite beautiful and aren’t quite as confusing as a Low Mass. The first few Latin masses, I went to, I was lost even with the missal. But with the smells and bells of the High Mass, not to mention the beauty of the liturgy, I felt at peace even though I did not quite understand the order of things.
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👍
 
Be ready for a definite shock. I’ve only been to one, and I think that the shock overwhelmed me because I wasn’t used to it. I had only been to the normal mass at my parish and was still in the RCIA when I went. (I’ve also heard the Low Mass I attended was very sloppy in form and wasn’t even approved, but that’s another story.)

To be honest, I felt as if the mass was less interactive for the people and much more about the priest and his duty. As if all we were there for was to receive communion and pray. (I’m not bashing the EF mass, I think if it was done right and I had the right frame of mind it would be very beautiful.) It’s definitely not what I was used to though.
 
Laudate_Dominum said:
That is why you’re there. At any Mass. To communicate and pray or to pray and communicate spiritually.
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You are there to participate in the sacrifice, to join YOUR sacrifice with the sacrifice on the alter. To me there is much more to a mass than sitting in a pew by yourself, ignoring what is going around only to lift your eyes when the bell rings. I can say a rosary at home, or I can go to adoration and do it there. The mass is so much more than that! It’s a time where the entire community should be joined together IN communion. I don’t see that happening when everyone is sitting as far from each other as they can so they can be alone for their private prayer time.
 
bmullins said:
You are there to participate in the sacrifice, to join YOUR sacrifice with the sacrifice on the alter.
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Indeed. Praying.

You can unite yourself to the Holy Sacrifice, which is prayer, perfectly well kneeling in a pew on your own. I agree that preferably one shouldn’t pray the rosary during Mass. There are other ways of prayer to unite yourself with the Holy Sacrifice. But saying the rosary its self during Mass is not a sin and is acceptable if it’s the best you can do. Your simple presence at Mass assures you are participating in the public prayer of the Church.

In fact only one person at our regular TLM on Sundays says the rosary during Mass. A middle-aged man. The rest are, I would hope, praying and uniting themselves with the priest, individually, in their pews, united in communal worship via the liturgy.
 
I hope you have a prayerful experience and a good one when attending. When I first started attending EF Masses, I sat near the back, and just followed what others in the congregation did: stand, sit, or kneel which is something I recommend. I still sit in the middle of the congregation now, but not brave enough to be in the front row pew. I do find myself much dressing better for the EF which has trickled down to my OF Mass attendance also.
 
bmullins said:
The mass is so much more than that! It’s a time where the entire community should be joined together IN communion. I don’t see that happening when everyone is sitting as far from each other as they can so they can be alone for their private prayer time.
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What would you recommend be changed in the way folks are seated or interact during mass.

Now mind you, I happen to be a big proponent of community and fellowship outside of the mass.

I’m curious as to how you envision Catholics being more in communion during the mass.
 
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