First time going to EF Mass

[YoungTradCath]

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.

Was this Mass a Low Mass? Try a Solemn Mass or Missa Cantata, in which case you will be able to make responses in song.

 

[couponfit]

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?

There’s at least one Latin parish in each diocese, and usually a number of parishes will have a dedicated ef mass at least weekly. So u won’t have to drive far. There’s a number of YouTube videos showing an ef mass and how to attend online.

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

There’s at least one Latin parish in each diocese,

That seems like a bit of an exaggeration. Many people are still lucky to find one parish with a regular traditional liturgy in their diocese. I know of only two Sunday Masses (excluding the SSPX) in my entire country… none of which are in my diocese.

 

[TimothyH]

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.

There are few things better to do than say the rosary.

The Holy Spirit was present at the annunciation, overshadowed Mary, and Christ became incarnate in Mary’s womb. It was Mary who made Christ present in the world.

At Mass, the same Holy Spirit is called down at the epiclisis by the priest and Christ is made present for us on the altar. The Body and Blood which are present on the altar are the same body and blood which Mary made present 200 years ago. Mary, who made Christ present for us in the flesh 2000 years ago, is right there as Christ is made present sacramentally on the altar.

Mary is inseperable from her Son. If the Mass is a representation to God the Father of Christ’s sacrifice, then Mary is right there, the Co-redemtrix, at the foot of the Cross, interceding for us.

***Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. ***

That’s the whole idea behind the Mass. There is no greater prayer to say at Mass than the rosary of Our Lady.

-Tim-

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

There are few things better to do than say the rosary.

There is no greater prayer to say at Mass than the rosary of Our Lady.

Hey I love the rosary. Everyone should pray it. But there are other ways to unite with the Holy Sacrifice. Look up Dom Gueranger’s work The Holy Mass. The Baronius Press edition includes the Order of the Mass in the back. Taking the Offertory as an example Dom Gueranger includes a prayer for the assistant at Mass to unite his prayer directly with that of the priest.

I’m not putting down the rosary being said at Mass. The only reason I don’t is because I serve and even when I’m not I just couldn’t focus on the rosary at that moment.

 

[misspriss]

Okay, so I didn’t go to the daily Mass today, I will wait until Sunday. I don’t know if I want to go Sunday or not, because I don’t want to miss my usual OF Mass. I love it. I am just really excited to see the EF also.

Yeah they have Latin Mass I think every day, or almost every day. “…All Masses offered by this community are celebrated in Latin (the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite).” Mass is held every day, twice on Sunday. The Priest is FSSP.

Anyway, I don’t think it will be a problem, what is the worst that can happen? I fumble and get a little embarrassed?

 

[newangela]

Hello,
I posted last week about attending my first TLM, and I did it! It was a low mass, and I loved it, was confused by it, and am being drawn to go back again.
I have only been Catholic for 2 years, and have attending the OF exclusively. I am having a hard time expressing exactly what my questions are at this point…I am hungry for more information…I want to know more about the ins and outs of the mass, I want to know how to begin to learn Latin prayers, I want to know more about how we went from the EF to the OF. I know this is very vague Can you recommend any books that might be of help? Websites?
I am going through this journey with my two little ones ( 3 and 5) in tow, and am trying to explain to them what is going on too…and I am very much in a learning place myself.
But, the Holy Spirit leads, and I follow Any advice appreciated!
Angela

 

[moon1234]

Believe it or not you will probably not like what you find when you go looking for reasons how the OF came about. VII never mandated what we have now with the OF. What VII wanted was the propers (the readings that change each week) to be allowed (not mandated) to be in the vernacular. The people were to be instructed to learn the latin for the prayers particular to them (what the choir sings on Sunday).

As to learning about the Mass and it’s order I suggest either the Angelus Press Missal or the St. joseph daily missal. Both have detailed explanations about what is happening at each stage of Mass, their theological meaning, etc. even the Priests vestments and the sacred vessels are explained along with what they represent.

You will begin to wonder why any of this changed. I think that will be what will be most jarring for most people. The EF Mass is very beautiful when you understand what is happening and what each action of the Priest, no matter how small, means. The prayers at the foot of the altar for example are taken directly from the pleadings of King David in the old testament. He wanted to be made worthy to return to the temple after wandering on the desert. It is amazing to think that these prepratory prayers were eliminate in the NO.

Ahh well, enjoy your first Mass. I cried tears of Joy at mine, I still do sometimes.

 

[Rich_C]

Since you don’t already have a missal, I suggest reading the Mass texts today in a thoughtful frame of mind to help prepare, and then just letting yourself be caught up in the beauty of the liturgy tomorrow, so you can focus on praying, not flipping pages.

You can read tomorrow’s Mass (Third Sunday After Easter) here, I already set it up: divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl

 

[misspriss]

Well, I decided to attend my usual OF Mass today. Next weekend however, I am already planning to attend OF Mass at a different time, because DH has agreed to go with me. (This is huge). Anyway, I usually attend Mass while he is at work, but since he is coming with me, we will go to either the Vigil, or the Sunday evening Mass. I plan to attend the EF Mass in the morning, while he is at work, if all goes as planned.

 

[paperwight66]

There are few things better to do than say the rosary.
]

That’s the whole idea behind the Mass. There is no greater prayer to say at Mass than the rosary of Our Lady.

-Tim-

Unfortunately, no less a person than Pope Paul VI disgrees with you. See his letter ‘Marialis Cultus’.
Quote:
it is not difficult to understand that the Rosary is an exercise of piety that draws its motivating force from the liturgy and leads naturally back to it, if practiced in conformity with its original inspiration. It does not, however, become part of the liturgy. In fact, meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, by familiarizing the hearts and minds of the faithful with the mysteries of Christ, can be an excellent preparation for the celebration of those same mysteries in the liturgical action and can also become a continuing echo thereof. However, it is a mistake to recite the Rosary during the celebration of the liturgy, though unfortunately this practice still persists here and there. (end quote).

You’ll notice he says ‘unfortunately this practice still persists here and there’. So he is saying that it should not be done, wouldn’t you agree?