Going to First Latin Mass

[marci]

I’m going to my first Latin Mass this Sunday with my children. I have some questions about receiving the Eucharist, and head coverings.

Is the communion rail used? I’m nervous about my kids receiving, because this is not the way they were taught. They’ve never received on the tongue and I’m scared to death they are going to somehow drop the Host. Should we not receive at all this time so that we can observe how it is done?

Do my girls and I need to wear head covering?

What else in the Mass will be different that we need to be made aware of?

I’m a little nervous about the whole thing, so any advice would be appriciated.

Thanks.

 

[Mary1973]

Don’t be nervous! How old are your children? You could practice receiving on the tongue at home with some bread or crackers. Yes, you kneel and a paten is placed under your chin to guard against dropped hosts.

You might want to check with the church where you will be attending whether or not women are required to cover their heads. I was checking out an FSSP chapel near me and was surprised that they have a definite dress code for women. At the church I attend, some women cover and some do not.

I hope that you will be attending a High Mass because it is somewhat easier to follow than a Low Mass when you are new to the EF. Check out the other thread “Going to First Tridentine Mass” by Jersey Catholic in this forum. There is a lot of good advice.

God bless and let us know you reaction.

 

[marci]

Thanks Mary1973. I noticed the other thread after I posted. My kids are 11, 10, 10, and 8. I will practice with them using a cracker, but I think we will just watch this first time. I was worried about the communion rail because I don’t know the purcedure for taking one’s place at the rail. I am going to call the parish and ask a few questions. Thanks for your post. God Bless!

 

[bpbasilphx]

\I’m going to my first Latin Mass this Sunday with my children. I have some questions about receiving the Eucharist, and head coverings.\

**Do you mean the Extraordinary Form? Or the Ordinary Form celebrated in Latin.

There are more than one forms of Mass in Latin in the Church, you know.

As regards Communion, just go up to the rail, and kneel at your place.**

 

[giuseppeTO]

Thanks Mary1973. I noticed the other thread after I posted. My kids are 11, 10, 10, and 8. I will practice with them using a cracker, but I think we will just watch this first time. I was worried about the communion rail because I don’t know the purcedure for taking one’s place at the rail. I am going to call the parish and ask a few questions. Thanks for your post. God Bless!

Marci - I agree with the advice to stay calm. Many churches post a “dress code” that includes women wearing a chapel veil in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. But no one in a diocesan, FSSP, or SSPX chapel will kick you out or refuse you Communion if you do not wear one. But you may “stand out” as a visitor - not necessarily a bad thing. I suggest you sit in a pew near the front so that you can observe the Mass close-up and watch those receiving Communion. You can practice with your children as most churches practice with the First Communion classes, using a small cracker as a host. Its really very simple - have your children put heads back as if they were looking at the ceiling, close their eyes, open their mouths wide and stick out their tongues (like a baby bird being fed by its mother). When they feel the host on their tongue, reverently close their mouth, make the sign of the cross, and leave the rail. As far as taking one’s place at the rail, just watch what the folks do in front of you. Sometimes there is an usher helping out, sometimes there isn’t.

I would try not to be too intent on following the Mass in a Missal for your first visit. Just watch and involve yourself on a spiritual level. You’ll recognize where you are in the Mass well enough to not be completely at a loss.

God bless and enjoy the graces.

 

[corsair]

If there is an Altar rail cloth slip your hands under the cloth. The priest will say the Latin words " Corps Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen." Notice the priests says “Amen” you do not respond.

Practice with the kids. They will probably get a kick out of you speaking latin.

As for a head covering? well its recommended but as a previous poster said, they won’t throw you out.

We went to the FSSP parish in Vancouver, BC last weekend. There were lots of kids present and as quiet as mice. It was wonderful. Tomorrow evening we are going to Bremerton, WA for a Missa Cantata in the EF.

I almost can’t bear to go to another OF Mass so we keep traveling. Last weekend was 489 miles round trip.

This Saturday a mere 216 round trip. Going to need a new car soon.

Good luck to you and God Bless.

 

[Breviarylover]

Is the communion rail used?

If the church has a communion rail they will use it. If they don’t, everyone will just kneel there as if there is a communion rail.

I’m nervous about my kids receiving, because this is not the way they were taught.
They’ve never received on the tongue and I’m scared to death they are going to somehow drop the Host. Should we not receive at all this time so that we can observe how it is done?

I suggest you sit towards the middle section so your kids can see some other people receiving. They should do fine1:thumbsup: Most likely there will be a server holding a patten, so if the host drops, it will fall right on the patten.

Do my girls and I need to wear head covering?

It’s optional, but reccomended.

 

[corsair]

Well…, don’t leave us hanging; how’d it go? Our Saturday evening Mass was magnificent. Can’t wait until the next one, but I’m afraid there will have to be a couple of OF Masses before I can afford to drive to the closest EF again.