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datritle
Guest
I am going to be attending my first EF Mass this coming sunday, and I am a little nervous. Is there some resource out there I can use to help prepare me for the Mass? Thanks in advance!
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YoungTradCath
Guest
This is an excellent resource, a good Order of Mass.
resources.ipsissima-verba.org/documents/extraordinary-form-order-of-mass-all-draft-8.pdf
resources.ipsissima-verba.org/documents/extraordinary-form-order-of-mass-all-draft-8.pdf
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Bartolome_Casas
Guest
- Get a missal that has the Mass in both Latin and English, in parallel columns, or on opposing pages. If you don’t want to buy a full-book sized missal with all the mass Scripture readings, you can find a booklet version that omits the Scripture readings.
- Accept that you will not, for the entire time of the mass, be able to keep track of where the priest and the servers are in order of the Mass. But, review the order of the mass ahead of time, and take note of the big “noticeable” parts that you will help you get back on track.
- I think EF mass attenders differ on the view as to whether it is really necessary to follow on along, right on time, in the missal, reading and praying the English translation (assuming you don’t know the Latin). Some people say that it is enough to maintain a prayerful union with God, the priests, and the whole congregation in attendance.
- Sit as close to the front as possible, so you can see the priests actions more clearly, and hear his words more clearly. Your missal will contain “stage directions” regarding when the priest turns, sits, stands, etc, and it helps if you can clearly see these thing happening.
- Be grateful to God for the good men who keep the EF mass alive in the era following the Vatican II Council when it was in danger of going extinct forever. This is the mass that inspired and nurtured thousands of saints, and which preserved the unity and fidelity of the Catholic Church.
- Be prepared to, forever after this, be disappointed in the ordinary form of the mass, given the nonchalant, casual manner it is celebrated in most parishes.
- Arrive at least 20 minutes early for the EF, to give yourself time to settle down, quiet down, and prayer some prayers of your own.
- Remain at least 15 minutes after the EF mass to pray on your own. This is a common custom at some EF masses.
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dshix
Guest
That’s great! I just want to mention a few things.
*]DON’T sit in the first pew. You’ll need to go a few times before you know when to stand/sit/kneel.
*]There will likely be a little mass book in the back which has all of the ordinary mass parts in it, with Latin on one side and English on the other. It will take you a while to get used to it, so don’t get frustrated if you can’t read where the priest is at any given time.
*]Just soak in the mass! It’ll take some time before you can actually follow it, so just flow along and enjoy it.
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R_C
Guest
And remember not to say “Amen” when you kneel to receive the Holy Eucharist 
The priest will say it for you. In fact, he says:
The priest will say it for you. In fact, he says:
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datritle
Guest
Thank you for your advice so far! It all seems a little overwhelming! I don’t have anybody to go with, but then again I always go to Mass alone, so I have no help during the Mass. argh.
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R_C
Guest
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R_C
Guest
Actually, Holy Mass in the usus antiquor is extremely simple for the lay faithful
We are just very excited and want you to be imbued in the profound beauty of the traditional liturgy All you will have to bear in mind, truly, is
- bow every time the Holy Name of Jesus is pronounced
- when the priest says “Dominus vobiscum” or “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum” reply “Et cum spiritu tuo”
- stand for the Gospel
- kneel when all kneel at the Credo, from"et incarnatus est" until "et homo factus est" (we bend our knee at the mystery of the Incarnation).
- the priest prays the Pater Noster for us, but we all say loud the last line: “et libera nos a malo”.
- When the priest turns and says "Orate, fratres…, you really don’t need to say anything
but it is nice if you follow on the missal the prayer of the servers (“Suscipiat Domine sacrificium de manibus tuis…”)
- When the priest turns and says "Orate, fratres…, you really don’t need to say anything
- kneel for the consecration (at the Sanctus - bells will ring)
- the “Lord, I am not worthy” (“Domine, non sum dignus”) is repeated 3 times
- kneel (and do not say “Amen”) for Holy Communion (whose reception is on the tongue)
- when the priest says “Ite, Missa est”, reply “Deo gratias!”
- kneel for the final blessing and stand again for the Last Gospel.
- during the Last Gospel, briefly genuflect (on one knee) when the priest raises his voice and says: “et Verbum caro factum est” (we bend our knee at the mystery of the Incarnation).
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dshix
Guest
That seems a little confusing for a new person, so to put it in a nutshell, I’d just say, “Do what everyone else does.”Actually, Holy Mass in the usus antiquor is extremely simple for the lay faithful
All you will have to bear in mind, truly, is
Enjoy it! It is an extraordinary experience
- bow every time the Holy Name of Jesus is pronounced
- when the priest says “Dominus vobiscum” or “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum” reply “Et cum spiritu tuo”
- stand for the Gospel
- kneel when all kneel at the Credo, from"et incarnatus est" until "et homo factus est" (we bend our knee at the mystery of the Incarnation).
- the priest prays the Pater Noster for us, but we all say loud the last line: “et libera nos a malo”.
- When the priest turns and says "Orate, fratres…, you really don’t need to say anything
- kneel for the consecration (at the Sanctus - bells will ring)
- the “Lord, I am not worthy” (“Domine, non sum dignus”) is repeated 3 times
- kneel (and do not say “Amen”) for Holy Communion (whose reception is on the tongue)
- when the priest says “Ite, Missa est”, reply “Deo gratias!”
- kneel for the final blessing and stand again for the Last Gospel.
- during the Last Gospel, briefly genuflect (on one knee) when the priest raises his voice and says: “et Verbum caro factum est” (we bend our knee at the mystery of the Incarnation).
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R_C
Guest
Or learn those few items
To me, as long as you are extra careful not to say Amen when the priest is giving you the Holy Eucharist, everything should go smoothly
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R_C
Guest
What do you mean?
Here’s a useful quote from “Discovering the Mass”:
In the United States, current norms for Ordinary Form of Roman Rite specify that the communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue (link), even though people usually receive the Holy Eucharist on the hand…
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dshix
Guest
Yes, but at most EF parishes I’ve been to, the only option is in the mouth. Just how it works. What order of priests are at your parish?What do you mean?
Here’s a useful quote from “Discovering the Mass”:
In the United States, current norms for Ordinary Form of Roman Rite specify that the communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue (link), so it’s no strange custom.
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R_C
Guest
I now understand your point…usually people are surprised by the fact that in the EF Communion is always (to my understanding) on the tongue!
A diocesan priest celebrates the EF at our Parrish.
A diocesan priest celebrates the EF at our Parrish.
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anp1215
Guest
Many people have attended and loved the EF (myself included) while also maintaining love and appreciation for the OF. I don’t think you should be telling the OP to prepare him/herself for a future of disappointment in a valid form of the Mass.
OP, do you know if you’re going to a high or low Mass? I’ve been to a low Mass, and it’s super easy, easier than the OF. The altar server actually made all the responses on the people’s behalf, so I didn’t have to worry about what to respond.
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dshix
Guest
That’s very true, but to tell the truth, I’ve seen very few OF masses in my lifetime that had a truly reverent feel to them. They are, in the words of the previous poster, casual.
And the OP need not worry about responses. He doesn’t need to respond in either a high or low mass until he feels comfortable; everyone else will do so for him.
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Bartolome_Casas
Guest
If possible, try to go to a High Mass rather than the Low Mass. The EF Mass is has those two forms. There’s nothing wrong with the Low Mass. But the High Mass generally has music and a choir, and is generally more elaborate and evocative. Some locations will have EF Low Mass at say 8 am on Sunday morning, and then have an EF High Mass at 11 am.
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hooper496
Guest
I completely agree. Whether it is the EF, OF, another Liturgy such as the Carmelite Rite, or in one of the Eastern Rites - and whether the people around us are wearing chapel veils or shorts and flip flops - we must remember that we are literally present at the foot of the cross at Calvary. We are present and united with the saints and angels at the Heavenly Liturgy described by St. John in the book of Revelation. It is a joyous privilege and blessing to be Catholic! Amen!
This private revelation (see below) which has an Imprimatur really honed my view of the Mass and what is actually going on.
michaeljournal.org/holymass.htm
Peace.
Jim H.
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Windmill
Guest
To the OP:
Just remember it will be a little disorienting at first. It takes a few times to get used to the flow of things. That’s normal for most any new experience. Don’t get frustrated.
I like watching this video of a Latin Mass and getting a feel for how things go:
youtube.com/watch?v=enWiFcsBqIE
You can turn in your hand missal to the Feast of the Sacred Heart and follow along. One ribbon would be on the feast day and the other would be in the Ordinary of the Mass. Those two pages should be all you need to mark. This is a high Mass, so there are some differences from a Low Mass. I’m not sure what type you’re going to on Sunday, but don’t worry about it.
Lastly, be sure and come back here and post your experience. Some people like it, some don’t, but most CAF people like to hear people’s first impressions. Remember, this is basically the same prayers that St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John of the Cross, and the English Martyrs heard all their lives. What a great connection to our heritage as Catholics.
Have Fun!
Just remember it will be a little disorienting at first. It takes a few times to get used to the flow of things. That’s normal for most any new experience. Don’t get frustrated.
I like watching this video of a Latin Mass and getting a feel for how things go:
youtube.com/watch?v=enWiFcsBqIE
You can turn in your hand missal to the Feast of the Sacred Heart and follow along. One ribbon would be on the feast day and the other would be in the Ordinary of the Mass. Those two pages should be all you need to mark. This is a high Mass, so there are some differences from a Low Mass. I’m not sure what type you’re going to on Sunday, but don’t worry about it.
Lastly, be sure and come back here and post your experience. Some people like it, some don’t, but most CAF people like to hear people’s first impressions. Remember, this is basically the same prayers that St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John of the Cross, and the English Martyrs heard all their lives. What a great connection to our heritage as Catholics.
Have Fun!
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