How to attend TLM?

[Jestersage]

I am interested to learn more about Traditional Latin Mass and particpate in one. That being said, since I am a convert for about 6 years, I still have plenty to learn

Aside form the obvious (no mortal sins for the eucharist)

-Is it common for people to stay in the pew? Sometimes when I have strong doubt on my nature of sin/know that I have mortal sin, I stay in the pew
-What should I wear? Should I wear trousers (sometimes I wear a fitting cargo pants)? Is Short Sleeve Polo acceptable, or must it be long sleeve polo, or even shirts?
-Is fasting still 1 hour ahead of the actual eucharist, or 3 hours, or overnight?

This is the guide that was provided by the church I planned to attend. Please let me know if there are anythign you guys want to add.
holyfamilyvancouver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TLM-guide-online.pdf

 

[reggieM]

I am interested to learn more about Traditional Latin Mass and particpate in one. That being said, since I am a convert for about 6 years, I still have plenty to learn

It’s great that you have this interest! I can really help your spiritual development and understanding of the Faith. It puts you into an historical context with an ancient liturgical form.

-Is it common for people to stay in the pew? Sometimes when I have strong doubt on my nature of sin/know that I have mortal sin, I stay in the pew

It’s more common because many keep the old fast (3 hrs) or that is, they break the fast and can’t communicate. But you’ll be fine if you stay in the pew. But even better - confession beforehand?

-What should I wear? Should I wear trousers (sometimes I wear a fitting cargo pants)? Is Short Sleeve Polo acceptable, or must it be long sleeve polo, or even shirts?

We have a rule about no casual dress, but that means no shorts, tshirts and sneakers or flip-flops for men. Dress pants and a dress shirt is better than short sleeve polo, but you’ll be fine with that. Looking respectful is about all it is.

-Is fasting still 1 hour ahead of the actual eucharist, or 3 hours, or overnight?

As above, people will observe the 3-hours or even from midnight, but that’s just a personal option. The rule of the Church remains the same for the EF - 1 hour before communion.

his is the guide that was provided by the church I planned to attend. Please let me know if there are anythign you guys want to add.
holyfamilyvancouver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TLM-guide-online.pdf

That looks excellent. You’ll pick up a few ideas as you attend - and you’ll certainly have more questions. It takes a while to learn how to become a part of the rite but all along the way, you’ll find opportunities for spiritual growth. Much of it is letting the ritual speak to you in silence - it’s God speaking. You’ll find the rhythm for your prayer also.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I don’t frequent the TLM, so I’ll just fill in basics below in red, and leave further commentary to the resident experts here.

I am interested to learn more about Traditional Latin Mass and particpate in one. That being said, since I am a convert for about 6 years, I still have plenty to learn

Aside form the obvious (no mortal sins for the eucharist)

-Is it common for people to stay in the pew? Sometimes when I have strong doubt on my nature of sin/know that I have mortal sin, I stay in the pew
Perfectly acceptable and perhaps more “normal” to see people remain in the pew.
-What should I wear? Should I wear trousers (sometimes I wear a fitting cargo pants)? Is Short Sleeve Polo acceptable, or must it be long sleeve polo, or even shirts?
Something conservative and simple as you would anytime you plan to meet Jesus face to face.
-Is fasting still 1 hour ahead of the actual eucharist, or 3 hours, or overnight?
1 hour. That’s Canon Law (fasting 1 hour prior to Communion), and thus independent of the form of Mass you attend.

This is the guide that was provided by the church I planned to attend. Please let me know if there are anythign you guys want to add.
holyfamilyvancouver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TLM-guide-online.pdf

 

[SnowAngels]

I am interested to learn more about Traditional Latin Mass and particpate in one. That being said, since I am a convert for about 6 years, I still have plenty to learn

Aside form the obvious (no mortal sins for the eucharist)

-Is it common for people to stay in the pew? Sometimes when I have strong doubt on my nature of sin/know that I have mortal sin, I stay in the pew
-What should I wear? Should I wear trousers (sometimes I wear a fitting cargo pants)? Is Short Sleeve Polo acceptable, or must it be long sleeve polo, or even shirts?
-Is fasting still 1 hour ahead of the actual eucharist, or 3 hours, or overnight?

This is the guide that was provided by the church I planned to attend. Please let me know if there are anythign you guys want to add.
holyfamilyvancouver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TLM-guide-online.pdf

It’s awesome that you are considering TLM! I only started attending a year ago, and I love it!! My advice is to definitely give it a few Sundays to warm up to it, and then you’ll feel just as comfortable as an English Mass.

At my parish, a few people stay in the pew, but it’s also common to go forward and receive a blessing from the priest instead.

Dress up! Most of the guys at my parish wear suits or nice long-sleeved button-down shirts. If you have a nice polo I’d say that’s acceptable as well.

Personally, I fast 3-hours before, but as Cor ad Cor said, it’s Canon Law that you only need to fast 1 hour.

God bless!

 

[reggieM]

One thing I noticed from the guidebook:

Following along with the Mass As mentioned above, there are red booklet missals for those who wish to follow along with the text of most of the Mass. The changeable parts of the Mass, including the Scripture readings (Epistle and Gospel) of the day as well as the Proper prayers of the Mass are available in the Daily Missal , which is available for purchase through
the parish office.​

If you have a Daily or Sunday Missal, you can find the propers there.
However, if you don’t have that and you can’t or don’t want to buy a missal (they can be kind of expensive), you can print the propers and bring them from this site:

uvoc.org/Propers/Propers_2011/Propers_Calendar.html

You just need to know which Sunday. For example, next week will be the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.

 

[felsguy]

We have a rule about no casual dress, but that means no shorts, tshirts and sneakers or flip-flops for men. Dress pants and a dress shirt is better than short sleeve polo, but you’ll be fine with that. Looking respectful is about all it is.

Just curious, who is the “we” you speak of?

 

[reggieM]

Just curious, who is the “we” you speak of?

My local EF community. “We” is the pastor’s instruction to the people on the dress code. He has it printed in the bulletin every Sunday.

 

[felsguy]

Just curious, who is the “we” you speak of?

My local EF community. “We” is the pastor’s instruction to the people on the dress code. He has it printed in the bulletin every Sunday.

Understood. Thank you

 

[johnnyc176]

I am interested to learn more about Traditional Latin Mass and particpate in one. That being said, since I am a convert for about 6 years, I still have plenty to learn

Aside form the obvious (no mortal sins for the eucharist)

-Is it common for people to stay in the pew? Sometimes when I have strong doubt on my nature of sin/know that I have mortal sin, I stay in the pew
-What should I wear? Should I wear trousers (sometimes I wear a fitting cargo pants)? Is Short Sleeve Polo acceptable, or must it be long sleeve polo, or even shirts?
-Is fasting still 1 hour ahead of the actual eucharist, or 3 hours, or overnight?

This is the guide that was provided by the church I planned to attend. Please let me know if there are anythign you guys want to add.
holyfamilyvancouver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TLM-guide-online.pdf

Just do it! Seriously that is a pretty good guide that the parish supplies… Sit in the back at first and observe. Don’t worry about what others do as far as receiving. Those red booklets are very good and that is how I became familiar with the TLM. Soon you will be wanting your own missal though. What I wear depends on the the weather but obviously no shorts or t-shirt. Cooler weather a sport coat and slacks sometimes a suit. Warmer weather short sleeve shirt and slacks.I try and hold to a three hour fast.

 

[Kielbasi]

Dress up! Most of the guys at my parish wear suits or nice long-sleeved button-down shirts. If you have a nice polo I’d say that’s acceptable as well.

i really don’t think that dressing up has anything to do with the latin mass at all.

men in the 1960’s wore shirts and ties to go to football or baseball game, or to church services of any flavor.

had the latin mass stayed in its previous status as the only mass, Catholic men would not be better dressed today than they are.

 

[Jestersage]

i really don’t think that dressing up has anything to do with the latin mass at all.

men in the 1960’s wore shirts and ties to go to football or baseball game, or to church services of any flavor.

had the latin mass stayed in its previous status as the only mass, Catholic men would not be better dressed today than they are.

That being said, I think wearing what used to be worn establish a physical connection to the time past – not unlike how a church using the more classical architecture style instead of the modernist construction feels more proper.

I usually dress like a Best Buy sales (since I work in IT), so I do not mind the dress pants; I just prefer Polo (always pick the dark ones, with buttons, proper collar) as I can sweat a lot, but if long sleeve dress-shirt is more preferable, I would do so. And thanks for all the advice.

It’s more common because many keep the old fast (3 hrs) or that is, they break the fast and can’t communicate. But you’ll be fine if you stay in the pew. But even better - confession beforehand?

Sometimes I can’t make it, and when lustful thoughts and sights are easy to enter, it may not take much for it to cross over to mortal sin.

Also, what is the difference between Low Mass and High Mass?

 

[Kielbasi]

That being said, I think wearing what used to be worn establish a physical connection to the time past – not unlike how a church using the more classical architecture style instead of the modernist construction feels more proper.

Also, what is the difference between Low Mass and High Mass?

You can wear a decent dress shirt and tie when you are in any church, not just at latin mass.

High masses are sung masses, low masses are spoken and a lot quieter,

in the 1960’s,low masses were the norm, I can’t recall hearing more than a couple of high masses except during funerals

 

[peter26]

Dressing smartly is always appropriate in church, regardless of what form of Mass it is. Its not about being old fashioned, its about showing respect.

 

[reggieM]

That being said, I think wearing what used to be worn establish a physical connection to the time past – not unlike how a church using the more classical architecture style instead of the modernist construction feels more proper.

Right - and there is something more. We observe that the priest and servers have a certain comportment and dignity in dress - cassock and surplice for servers, additional vestments for priest. So, the faithful can mirror that attention to dress when they come to Mass. It’s part of our offering and sacrifice.

I usually dress like a Best Buy sales (since I work in IT), so I do not mind the dress pants; I just prefer Polo (always pick the dark ones, with buttons, proper collar) as I can sweat a lot, but if long sleeve dress-shirt is more preferable, I would do so. And thanks for all the advice.

You’re welcome! And that sounds very good. Part of it also is to fit in and be part of the community. Every week at our EF Mass someone will come badly dressed, and usually they are embarrassed (or seem to be). Not that people are judging them, but they just realize they weren’t prepared. We see this with women quite a lot. Our pastor is pretty strict about that (shoulders must be covered) in the bulletin and 95% of the women comply, but visitors often realize they are scantily dressed - and that is a good thing for them to learn! Many or most of the women, especially the youngest, wear veils so this is another aspect. If the women have this respect, the men should and do also.
I generally wear jacket, shirt and tie - but not over-dressing either. Just something simple.
I’m always self-conscious going to Mass on Sunday, dressed like that as my neighbors, mowing the lawn, jogging or whatever on a sunny Sunday morning - look at me dressed for something serious. I always get a concerned look, some embarrassment or people just looking away. I guess it’s a form of evangelization! They know I’m going to church. But that doesn’t make it easier.

Sometimes I can’t make it, and when lustful thoughts and sights are easy to enter, it may not take much for it to cross over to mortal sin.

I hear you loud and clear – at the same time, recall the rules on mortal sin:

Serious matter - yes, it is.
Sufficient reflection – did you really decide to sin or was it just a fleeing moment?
Full consent of the will - as above, was it more compulsive than decisive?

The good news at most TLMs is that the women dress modestly. I know even that doesn’t stop the entry of sinful sights and thoughts - but it is a major help.

Also, what is the difference between Low Mass and High Mass?

A Low Mass is without singing during the liturgy. It may have a congregational hymn and beginning and end. It may also have organ music throughout. But it is mostly silent except for priest and servers - and in some places, the people make the Latin responses (depending on how well the people know the Latin)…

A Sung High Mass will have the ordinary and propers sung. This can be done in Gregorian Chant (and the congregation can sing if known) or Polyphony which is a Renaissance style. Or there are some modern Mass settings also.

Postures for the people are different for each - so you will find this in the Red Book.

 

[on_the_hill]

Oh boy. Here we go again.

First, I’ve never attended a TLM.

Second, let me say that I always wear what is considered “business attire,” when I’m in church, whether it’s a Mass or some other service. And until the past couple weeks, I’d worn a necktie every single time I was at Mass for the past 30+ years.

However, I really just need to ask:

You can wear a decent dress shirt and tie when you are in any church, not just at latin mass.

What will happen if someone shows up to a TLM and isn’t meeting the dress code? He won’t be turned away at the door.

 

[reggieM]

What will happen if someone shows up to a TLM and isn’t meeting the dress code? He won’t be turned away at the door.

If the person is conscientious (and in our parish reads the bulletin) he or she will realize that the dress was inappropriate, so it will be a chance to learn and adjust for next time.

We see a small few who seem to like to rebel against the norm for dress. Nobody is turned away, true. Over time, people gradually get the idea, especially if they socialize after Mass.

Our priest actually mentions proper attire occasionally in his sermon.

 

[giuseppeTO]

I have never heard of anyone being asked to leave a TLM because of their dress. A good rule of thumb is to dress as you would for an occasion that is important. For instance, an important business meeting, a job interview, a wedding. This is not impress anyone but to affirm the dignity and gravity due to the physical presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. You might be surprised on how it might positively affect your personal disposition to prayer in the same way that wearing shorts and a tank top might have an alternate affect on you.

 

[Kielbasi]

If the person is conscientious (and in our parish reads the bulletin) he or she will realize that the dress was inappropriate, so it will be a chance to learn and adjust for next time…

why would anyone think they should dress more formally for Latin mass than English language liturgies?

 

[reggieM]

why would anyone think they should dress more formally for Latin mass than English language liturgies?

It’s a good question.

I always dress down when attending OF liturgies.
As I see it, that’s part of the liturgical ethos. Do I want to be the only guy in the entire congregation wearing a dress shirt and tie?
All the other guys at Mass are “wrong” and I’m “right”?

When in Rome …

If the priests want it that way, I’ll comply. I see sneakers, shorts, tee-shirts with any number of logos and slogans - you name it. I don’t go quite that far, but I definitely fit in.

It’s like postures and formality - I don’t bring an EF mentality to it. In some small ways I can’t help it. When the congregation is talking loudly before Mass I still actually try to pray. Some habits die hard. And I don’t join in the talk about the sale at Wallmart or how the Yankees did last night.

But it’s supposed to be casual, I guess? At least that’s the way it is presented in the parishes I attend. I guess there’s a theological reason for it - right?

 

[OraLabora]

It’s a good question.

I always dress down when attending OF liturgies.
As I see it, that’s part of the liturgical ethos.

This is poppycock. There’s nothing in the “liturgical ethos” of the OF that suggests dressing down. If you attended the OF where I do, in a Benedictine abbey of the Solesmes congregation, you’d be exposed to a solemn entrance procession, the propers and ordinary in a cappella Gregorian chant, the rest in French plainchant including sung readings, incense on Sundays, feasts and solemnities, a magnificent pipe organ for the prelude (the abbot is a prize-winning organist), offertory and postlude. All done with exquisite beauty, fluidity and reverence, and with long moments of silence after the readings, homily and communion. And should you stick around for Lauds and Vespers, those are also sung in Latin in Gregorian chant. None of which suggest a somehow downscale Mass.

And I’ve been to Masses like this in many places in North America and Europe. In fact on the feast of Saint Benedict on July 11th, I was at a nun’s abbey near Montreal and the entire solemn Mass save the readings, was in Latin, with Gregorian chant.

Which suggests that perhaps the issue is not the “liturgical ethos” of the Ordinary Form but rather the social ethos of the world we live in, not to mention the arrogant and haughty ethos of some traditionalists that help to reinforce stereotypes.

I myself dress neatly, simply and modestly for Mass, inspired by monastic simplicity.