Getting a TLM started

[peter26]

So I was talking with my parish priest after Mass this morning and he told me about how he’d love to celebrate the TLM. He’s mentioned this a couple of times before and I was wondering about how to make this happen. Does anyone have any experience with starting a TLM? Anyone have a list of equipment you need? Most importantly, does anyone have any experience dealing with those handful of parishioners who will likely object because “we don’t do Latin anymore”? Father is pretty busy so the easier I can make arranging it for him, the more likely it is to happen. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[ProVobis]

Among other things, I’d contact the www.unavoce.org and take things from there. They may have other people in your area which can form the “stable group” which can utilize your interest in the TLM.

 

[corsair]

Yes, perhaps I can help with telling you what we did. Just PM me and I’ll let you know.

Above all you must be patient and persevere. (be VERY polite in your dealings with others).

 

[phil19034]

In regards to people who say “we don’t do latin anymore” explain it that is really no different than offering a mass in Spanish or French for non-English speakers.

The important thing is to make sure the Extraordinary Form is NOT replacing an Ordinary Form mass.

 

[tawny]

If you have an FSSP in your area; you can contact them. They are very helpful.

 

[R_H_Benson]

So I was talking with my parish priest after Mass this morning and he told me about how he’d love to celebrate the TLM. He’s mentioned this a couple of times before and I was wondering about how to make this happen. Does anyone have any experience with starting a TLM? Anyone have a list of equipment you need? Most importantly, does anyone have any experience dealing with those handful of parishioners who will likely object because “we don’t do Latin anymore”? Father is pretty busy so the easier I can make arranging it for him, the more likely it is to happen. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I started one at my parish.

1.) You already have the most essential role fulfilled: a willing priest

2.)Assuming that you are a male, take on the responsibility of learning how to serve low Mass if you don’t already know how. Their are many resources available online and in print. Start practicing ASAP. Even if your TLM doesn’t come to fruition, learning the Latin responses and movements of the altar server is invaluable.

3.) Make your intention to begin offering a Latin Mass at your parish known in the bulletin, and check with other nearby parishes for permission to put an “ad” or an insert in their bulletins as well. Getting the word out about your new TLM outside of the boundaries of your home parish will be essential for growth.

4.) Reach out to those who have expressed interest, and try to raise money for the associated costs. Your parish will more than likely already have all of the “bare necessities”. The only essential items that you will most likely need to purchase are altar cards and a 1962 Roman Missal (altar sized). Not necessary, but highly recommended in the spirit of tradition, you may want to invest in a cassock and surplice to wear while serving as opposed to the more commonly seen alb. Father may also want to have some maniples made to match his gothic vestments, or he could invest in a set of Roman style vestments and maybe even get himself a* biretta*.

5.) At this point, you should be all set for Low Mass.

6.) Continue to foster interest in your new TLM. Attempt to find other men or boys who are interested in serving the Mass. See if your music director would be interested in teaching/learning basic Gregorian chant as you work your way towards a Missa Cantata.

As for those who oppose you, perhaps let Father deal with them. You are entirely in your rights in wanting a TLM offered at your parish. You will be in my prayers!

 

[thistle]

So I was talking with my parish priest after Mass this morning and he told me about how he’d love to celebrate the TLM. He’s mentioned this a couple of times before and I was wondering about how to make this happen. Does anyone have any experience with starting a TLM? Anyone have a list of equipment you need? Most importantly, does anyone have any experience dealing with those handful of parishioners who will likely object because “we don’t do Latin anymore”? Father is pretty busy so the easier I can make arranging it for him, the more likely it is to happen. Thanks in advance for any advice.

One of the normal problems is solved as you have a priest willing to celebrate the TLM. I assume it means he is also already proficient in Latin and not simply going to memorise what he has to say. That is one of the conditions for a TLM.
You also need a stable group in the parish to want it. Unfortunately Pope Benedict XVI in his Motu Proprio did not define a “stable group” either in number of parishioners or percentage of parishioners. Maybe anyone who has got a TLM started can advise on this one.

 

[Kielbasi]

So I was talking with my parish priest after Mass this morning and he told me about how he’d love to celebrate the TLM. He’s mentioned this a couple of times before and I was wondering about how to make this happen. Does anyone have any experience with starting a TLM? Anyone have a list of equipment you need? Most importantly, does anyone have any experience dealing with those handful of parishioners who will likely object because “we don’t do Latin anymore”? Father is pretty busy so the easier I can make arranging it for him, the more likely it is to happen. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Getting enough people interested and involved seems to be the key point of difficulty you will face. Most people have never been to latin mass. Most people who are actively involved in parish life and ministries have a full plate of other activities.

Finding a qualified priest, buying the appropriate equipment, getting an appropriate time on Sunday to celebrate the mass- none of that is particularly hard. Getting a sufficient number of people to abandon their long time habits of attending 11 a.m. mass with their friends and relatives listening to Fr. Dan, and instead attending a different mass where they can’t serve as an EM or reader, it just very tough to get them to break with that.

Getting NEW people involved, I just don’t see that happening very many places, at least in positions of leadership.

 

[peter26]

Thank you to everyone for your advice and sharing your experiences. In many ways, we should be pretty well set as we already have a lot of the traditional “equipment” in the Ordinariate Group that could be used at a TLM e.g. black cassock and surplice for servers, more traditional vestments and chalice veils. We also have a priest who in addition to being willing and enthusiastic has a good command of Latin. I’m willing to learn how to serve and I’m hearing there is at least one other who would probably be keen. The timing of the Mass could be an issue that needs some thought, but we seem to have most of the resources we need.

 

[corsair]

Peter26,

The FSSP bookstore has a very good DVD on how to serve the Mass. We used it to help train our altar boys. You may want to contact the Institute of Christ the King as they have a church in England. Perhaps they could assist you with a low Mass as an introduction for some of your parishioners. Not sure what the FSSP’s status is over there in England. Sounds like you are “close to getting the job done”, as they say.

 

[otjm]

The timing of the Mass could be an issue that needs some thought, but we seem to have most of the resources we need.

I see you are in England, so take this with a grain of salt: Not all parishes in the US which have the EF, have it on Sunday. And in fact, not all of them have it every week. Speak with your pastor further to see what thoughts he might have; starting gradually may put you in a position of not having to have so many people backing the EF, and may be a way to gradually increase the number of times a month it is offered.

 

[Dulcie]

Did somebody say that you are in England? If so, you could contact the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales and ask them for help and advice. They exist to promulgate the EF. lms.org.uk/

 

[ffg]

Typically, is the TLM in addition to the current parish schedule, or does the schedule change?

I’m trying to figure out why people think that others would be ‘against’ the idea. Especially where there are multiple Mass time choices.

I figure this is an ‘in addition to the schedule’ situation, but maybe not?

Many thanks,

Mike

 

[Kielbasi]

I’m trying to figure out why people think that others would be ‘against’ the idea. Especially where there are multiple Mass time choices.

Mike

The only way that reasonable people could be against it, is if the proposed time slot for the Latin Mass was already occupied by the English Mass that those reasonable people are already attending.

 

[ffg]

The only way that reasonable people could be against it, is if the proposed time slot for the Latin Mass was already occupied by the English Mass that those reasonable people are already attending.

Thanks for the reply.

That’s what I was thinking. I wasn’t sure if when the TLM is new to a parish, if it was an additional Mass, or substitution.

Though we use Latin in all of our Masses, I do think they have an additional one or sub the noon Mass for a TLM. I’m not sure how often.

I want to say they did one at like 3pm once, but maybe that was for something else.

Thanks again!

Take care,

Mike

 

[peter26]

This would definitely be an additional Mass, it would not replace an existing Mass. The reason some people would be annoyed at it is there are a few quite vocal people at my parish who dislike anything traditional.

 

[ProVobis]

The only way that reasonable people could be against it, is if the proposed time slot for the Latin Mass was already occupied by the English Mass that those reasonable people are already attending.

Yes, but there are ways to get around that.

For example, one pastor set up an EF for 1pm. After a couple of months, he simply switched an earlier (9:30am) Spanish Mass with the EF and both Masses flourished.

The issue is more economic than superiority of form.

 

[ffg]

This would definitely be an additional Mass, it would not replace an existing Mass. The reason some people would be annoyed at it is there are a few quite vocal people at my parish who dislike anything traditional.

Additional. Why someone cares about that which they won’t be attending, mystery to me.

People come in all forms eh?

 

[phil19034]

This would definitely be an additional Mass, it would not replace an existing Mass. The reason some people would be annoyed at it is there are a few quite vocal people at my parish who dislike anything traditional.

People like this are usually afraid that bringing in the Latin Mass (or doing something more traditional) is a step to forcing the whole parish into it.

That’s why I would focus on benefits like it being good for non-native English speakers, and that’s it’s almost like a devotional, like the Rosary or whatever devotional you have at your parish.

Focus on adding diversity rather than it focusing on tradition.

Also, I highly recommend calling it “Extraordinary Form” vs. “Traditional Latin Mass.” I think for some, “Traditional Latin Mass” has a negative connotation. I believe that Pope Benedict XVI was wise in naming it the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

God Bless

 

[Kielbasi]

Also, I highly recommend calling it “Extraordinary Form” vs. “Traditional Latin Mass.” I think for some, “Traditional Latin Mass” has a negative connotation. I believe that Pope Benedict XVI was wise in naming it the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

God Bless

Well, that’s an idea to keep it under the radar of any lat(name removed by moderator)hobes out there.

But it seems just as likely to keep it under the radar of those who might be interested as well.