First timer

[Cruikshank_s]

I’ve seen a TLM on youtube before, and as far as it went, everything was sung, there was absolutely no english and as far as I could catch, there wasn’t a homily. Is that how every TLM is?? I mean don’t get me wrong, it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a very long time, but coming from a NO background, it resonated as more of a prayer experience. I really didn’t catch onto how it works, does everyone who goes understand it all?? because ya I know my our father, and some other basic latin prayers, but that’s it, I have no idea how one is supposed to understand sung latin versions of the readings. I really want to beef up on my knowledge of the TLM as I just found out I live near a church that regularly offers it, and as I’m finding myself lost among some shockingly unorthodox times, the beauty and reverence would be a blessing. I just can’t understand it yet, any tips on getting better acquainted with what it all means??

 

[reggieM]

One good idea might be to use different forms of prayer as you experience the Mass.

Mental prayer is probably the main way people participate. With that, you read (in a handmissal) or listen to (if you can hear it) some of the prayers of the Mass and then pray interiorly to God about the theme of the Mass.

Some TLM congregations have vocal prayer or even some congregational singing of the chant (one of ours does, the other doesn’t).

Usually there is a sermon at Mass, so you can reflect on that.

Basically, people read the Mass in the handmissal, either in the vernacular or in Latin. You can think about the sacrifice of Christ and how the priest is at the high altar, offering the Son to the Father, and we join our prayers and the offering of our lives in the Mass.

Some of the prayers are not different than the Novus Ordo except that they’re in Latin (the Gloria, the Creed, the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). The readings can be read twice – once in Latin and then in vernacular.

After a while it will all sink in and you’ll be a part of the rhythm of the liturgy.

 

[marchoi]

I’ve seen a TLM on youtube before, and as far as it went, everything was sung, there was absolutely no english and as far as I could catch, there wasn’t a homily.

In all the TLMs that I’ve been to, they re-read the readings in English and the homily was in English. Hopefully that is the case with the one near you.

I really want to beef up on my knowledge of the TLM as I just found out I live near a church that regularly offers it, and as I’m finding myself lost among some shockingly unorthodox times, the beauty and reverence would be a blessing. I just can’t understand it yet, any tips on getting better acquainted with what it all means??

By all means, if you can, get yourself a Latin-English missal (the red booklets). When you arrive for the TLM, they should have them, but having one beforehand helps a lot. Just read through the missal. The translations are right on the other side, so it should be pretty simple to match the Latin to the English.

Also, if you’re lucky, it’ll be a dialogue Mass, in which case it’s a lot easier to follow. But even if it’s not, after three or four Masses you’ll be able to follow along. Perhaps not at the same speed, but at least you’ll know what the priest is doing at the Altar. It really is a beautiful experience.

 

[I_Believe]

I’ve seen a TLM on youtube before, and as far as it went, everything was sung, there was absolutely no english and as far as I could catch, there wasn’t a homily. Is that how every TLM is?? I mean don’t get me wrong, it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a very long time, but coming from a NO background, it resonated as more of a prayer experience. I really didn’t catch onto how it works, does everyone who goes understand it all?? because ya I know my our father, and some other basic latin prayers, but that’s it, I have no idea how one is supposed to understand sung latin versions of the readings. I really want to beef up on my knowledge of the TLM as I just found out I live near a church that regularly offers it, and as I’m finding myself lost among some shockingly unorthodox times, the beauty and reverence would be a blessing. I just can’t understand it yet, any tips on getting better acquainted with what it all means??

Try this site. You can find tons of info…
sanctamissa.org/en/spirituality/treasures-of-the-mass.html

If you buy a Missal, you can check this site to confirm you have each day’s correct propers marked with the ribbons.
tridentine-mass.blogspot.com/ Helpful for weekdays.

Sunday propers are easier, and you’ll have less page turning.

St Martin of Tours (today is his feast day ) parish here in town, has the small red Missal booklets, and they insert a printout of the propers and readings for each Sunday.

Again, if you will be assisting weekday mass, you’ll need a Daily Missal.

 

[brotherhrolf]

I made my First Communion and was Confirmed before Vatican II. One received one’s “little” St. Joseph Missal for one’s First Communion and one’s “big” St. Joseph Missal upon being Confirmed. I can remember my mother kneeling next to me and I can see her finger pointing out the Latin and its English equivalent during various points in the Mass. I still have both missals.

Once I made my First Communion, I cannot remember not knowing what was going on during Mass. Between my mother and school (I am a product of thirteen years of Catholic education), I was pretty well instructed which runs contrary to the myth that we didn’t know what was going on back then.

The last TLM I attended was in the mid-70s but I watched one on EWTN a few weeks ago and I had no problem following along even after all these years. I believe the key to all of this is getting a missal. Many English words have their roots in Latin and you should have no problem recognizing them when you see them laid out side-by-side.