Going to my first TM this weekend!

  • Thread starter Thread starter newangela
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

newangela

Guest
Hello all,
I have been a Catholic for only 2 years, but I’ve been fascinated by the “old” mass since I joined the church. Well, this weekend I’ll be attending my first TLM at an Institute of Christ the King oratory! I’m excited, nervous, and a bit intimidated:) I know very little of what to expect…will there be a missal so I can follow along? Are the responses the same as my “regular” mass? What do I need to do differently?
I’d love any pointers!
Angela
 
newangela said:
Hello all,
I have been a Catholic for only 2 years, but I’ve been fascinated by the “old” mass since I joined the church. Well, this weekend I’ll be attending my first TLM at an Institute of Christ the King oratory! I’m excited, nervous, and a bit intimidated:) I know very little of what to expect…will there be a missal so I can follow along? Are the responses the same as my “regular” mass? What do I need to do differently?
I’d love any pointers!
Angela
Click to expand...
Do you know if it will be a High Mass or a Low Mass? They are very different experiences. I always recommend that people experience the High Mass first if possible.
 
Hi Rich,
It’s a Low Mass. They do offer High Mass, but I am attending the Low Mass due to the timing:)
Angela
 
newangela said:
Hi Rich,
It’s a Low Mass. They do offer High Mass, but I am attending the Low Mass due to the timing:)
Angela
Click to expand...
Compared to the richness of a High Mass, the Low Mass is austere, but it’s also a great atmosphere for prayer. Just keep in mind that the High Mass is the norm for the TLM, and the Low Mass is an adaptation that came around for convenience. There is more sit/stand/kneel at a High Mass; at a Low Mass you’ll kneel for most of the Mass.

Since there’s less sensory (name removed by moderator)ut at a Low Mass, I’d definitely recommend a missal, but since you don’t have one, why not look up the Mass online? Here is the Latin/English text for this coming Sunday, the “Second Sunday After Easter”: divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl

It’s good to let go of the mindset of the OF, where not responding out loud is considered to be a lack of participation. In the EF Mass, participation is about internally joining our prayers to father’s intentions. Also, all the responses will be said by the altar boys. Don’t be surprised if the assembly only responds to certain parts, or basically doesn’t respond out loud. Every parish is a little different in that regard, but whatever happens is okay. Feel free to pray mentally in your own words. Also, don’t say “Amen” when you’re about to receive Holy Communion. It isn’t done in the EF.

I’m sure you’ll see some similarities to what you’re used to, and be surprised at other times, like I was. Just remember you’re there to pray at the foot of the cross and don’t let trying to follow everything distract you from that. In a short time, you can get to know the Mass well enough to follow it easily and know what father is praying for at any time. But you don’t have to get there the first time.

God bless!
 
No need to be intimidated-Christ instituted the mass for all of us and what a blessing it is. My own experience is that the more often you can attend, the more you will appreciate the type of prayer it will call out of you.
When your schedule allows, do treat yourself to the high mass. I really look forward to my opportunities to attend-it is transformative in so many ways.
With the low mass, I’m learning to sit closer to the front so that I can hear more of the reponses from the servers as I read along in my Latin/English translation book.
Also, don’t be surpised to find people are dressed a bit more formally at these masses. Jeans are the exception at my latin mass church and the norm at my local church.
May God bless you!
 
Hi Newangela! I was once in your shoes - excited, nervous and intimidated about going the Latin Mass when I converted 6 years ago. I have attended the Institute’s Oratory here in Kansas City ever since and all the above advice is excellent. They may have missalettes that you can use to follow along and they will probably have the Propers printed out in English for that day. It took me quite awhile to figure it all out because I jumped out of a Protestant non-denominational community and right into the Latin Mass. I agree with corsair- just do what you see everyone else doing and observe. I also hope you will be able to go to a High Mass. 👍
 
Please note that it is going to be an extremely different experience than what you normally experience. It will probably be very striking, due to how quiet it will be. Low Mass, as said above, is very, very austere. My recommendation is that you certainly attend a High or Solemn Mass where practically everything is sung after this.

There are no responses (normally) on the part of the people at Low Mass; the altar boy will make them all on your behalf. This is due to the very nature of what a Low Mass is and how it developed historically. Low Mass is, ideally, the exception to the norm. Or rather, the exception to the exception to the norm. The norm is Solemn Mass. The exception to Solemn Mass is High Mass, and the exception to both of those is Low Mass. Whenever you attend a Solemn or High Mass–which, as I said, I recommend–you will be able to make the responses in that case, which are sung aloud by everyone.

I have an appreciation for all three levels of Mass, but there is nothing quite lavish and gorgeous like attending a Solemn Mass with a Renaissance polyphonic Mass setting and Gregorian Propers. Wait until you get to attend one of those! Absolutely magnificent. If you are at one of the larger Oratories, there will probably be a regularly scheduled Solemn Mass. If not, there will be one at least a couple of times a year.
 
Wow! Thanks everyone! I would absolutely love to get to a High Mass, but for now I’m sure the Low Mass will be a big shift…I’m used to responding and singing:) I’ll post back after Mass, and give you my impressions.
Angela
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top