Is there anything I should know about attending a Latin Mass for the first time?

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I found out that there is a Latin Mass where I live, and I was wondering if there is anything I should know beforehand. I hear the priest who does them is a former SSPX and is very strict. I also hear that Shorts are unacceptable, and Women must wear veils. I am unsure of what I should wear (Are jeans and a button up acceptable?) Also, is there anything I should expect in relation to participation? I hear that we are to receive communion kneeling and on the tongue. I really want to go, but I don’t want my first time to be negative on account of the priest getting mad at me for wearing the wrong clothing, or not doing something that I should be doing.
 
Bryan77 said:
I found out that there is a Latin Mass where I live, and I was wondering if there is anything I should know beforehand. I hear the priest who does them is a former SSPX and is very strict. I also hear that Shorts are unacceptable, and Women must wear veils. I am unsure of what I should wear (Are jeans and a button up acceptable?) Also, is there anything I should expect in relation to participation? I hear that we are to receive communion kneeling and on the tongue. I really want to go, but I don’t want my first time to be negative on account of the priest getting mad at me for wearing the wrong clothing, or not doing something that I should be doing.
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I attend an FSSP parish here in town and I was apprehensive before going when I first started. At weekday and Saturday morning masses we usually see jeans. Shirts are usually ones with a collar, again weekday and Saturdays we see polo shirts or basic button downs. On non-Sunday masses I usually wear slacks and a polo, to Sunday Mass I wear a suit. We see quite a bit of suits/sport coats and shirt/tie combos on Sunday. I would advise going down and talking to Father before Mass, as that will let him know youre new and will probably make you feel more comfortable. Plus he can give you a little primer on kneeling COTT. Other than that just try to relax, pay close attention and enjoy it! The TLM is very beautiful in all of its forms!
 
Yeah, all the responses. LOL just kidding well kind of not but still. I have never been to a Latin Mass but remember when in Rome.
 
Bryan77 said:
I found out that there is a Latin Mass where I live, and I was wondering if there is anything I should know beforehand. I hear the priest who does them is a former SSPX and is very strict. I also hear that Shorts are unacceptable, and Women must wear veils. I am unsure of what I should wear (Are jeans and a button up acceptable?) Also, is there anything I should expect in relation to participation? I hear that we are to receive communion kneeling and on the tongue. I really want to go, but I don’t want my first time to be negative on account of the priest getting mad at me for wearing the wrong clothing, or not doing something that I should be doing.
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Go ahead and go. Wear something dressy (a dress or skirt if you have one, a nice pantsuit or slacks if not. I would not wear jeans, unless that’s all you have). See if you can borrow a veil, or a regular ladies hat should also be acceptable. I would sit a little farther back than you normally would, so you can observe how Communion is handled, and then just go. It will be amazing!
 
I’m a man. Reading my question again where I bring up veils does look like a little weird. Haha. That was just for emphasis on how strict I hear this priest is. I own a suit, I just don’t want to be overdressed either. (Also its dry clean only)

Thanks for that link corsair. I’ll definitely watch it when I get some free time.
 
What Annspazz just mentioned, about getting a missal, is worth doing if possible. It will give you a chance to familiarise yourself with the rich prayers that are in the TLM. Sit a ways back when you go so you can learn by others when to sit/kneel/etc. Sundays, well, just remember the old phrase “your Sunday best”. If getting to one on a workday, so long as its pretty clean and decent you are fine.
Ask the Holy Ghost to lead you to the place where the priest is that can most help you get to Heaven. That is a prayer covers the bases.

CB
 
Bryan77 said:
I own a suit, I just don’t want to be overdressed either. (Also its dry clean only)
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Wearing a suit to Mass would never be overdressing for a man. If it’s a Sunday Mass, folks will assume you want to look your best for the Lord’s day; if it’s a weekday Mass folks will probably just assume you have a job that requires you to wear a suit. I always wear a suit on Sundays (unless I am serving); collared button-up shirt and slacks (and sport coat, depending on the weather) on weekdays. I have worn a suit to weekday Mass before, and never felt uncomfortable.

Communion is indeed kneeling and on the tongue. Communion in the hand is not permitted at the EF (standing is permitted though, if physically unable to kneel). You need not say “Amen” when Father gives you the Eucharist, as he will already have said it. (The prayer of communion at the EF is far more elaborate than the simple exclamation “The Body of Christ” you are used to in the OF. For each communicant, Father takes the Host and says “Corpus Domini nostri Iesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen.” which is: “May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto eternal life. Amen.”)

Participation is primarily silent prayer. Unless you are fluent in Latin you will not be able to follow along with every word, even with a Mass booklet – I would recommend not even trying to at first. The easiest way to make the EF experience a negative one is to try to do too much at once. It can quickly become very frustrating. Simply enjoy the beauty of the EF Mass a few times. The priest and altar servers will ensure that everything is prayed out loud that the rubrics require. After you have attended this form of the Mass a few times, I would certainly agree that a Latin/English Daily Missal is an important companion, but it would just be a burden at first.

Also, know that you will probably make a mistake once or twice on when to sit/stand/kneel. We have all been there at some point in time. Thank the Lord for the opportunity to practice humility, then get over it. No one will notice, and if they do, they will likely be too excited to see a newcomer interested in the EF Mass to care.
 
Yes, the traditionalist go to confession before every Mass and during the first part of the Mass. Plan on being in the confessional line even if you haven’t murdered anyone lately. 🙂
 
johndoe100 said:
Yes, the traditionalist go to confession before every Mass and during the first part of the Mass. Plan on being in the confessional line even if you haven’t murdered anyone lately. 🙂
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That’s a bit of an exaggeration.

One need not go to confession before every Mass. Sacramental confession is only required to absolve mortal sin. Worthy reception of the Eucharist can absolve venial sins. Don’t feel like you must go to confession if you have no unconfessed mortal sins and/or have not properly prepared with an examination of conscience ahead of time. The requirements for confession and worthy reception of the Eucharist are the same for the entire Church, whether EF or OF.

Many of the more traditionalist Churches will have confessions heard before every Mass. Some communities are blessed to have enough priests on site that confessions may continue through the first half of Mass if need be. This is certainly not the case everywhere. Frankly, I find it somewhat distracting when I visit a church where this is done.
 
IesumPerMariam said:
The easiest way to make the EF experience a negative one is to try to do too much at once. It can quickly become very frustrating. Simply enjoy the beauty of the EF Mass a few times.
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+1

Following along is easy to learn, but only with practice. The first time you go, just pray and let yourself be caught up to Heaven. 🙂
 
Bryan77 said:
I’m a man. Reading my question again where I bring up veils does look like a little weird. Haha. That was just for emphasis on how strict I hear this priest is. I own a suit, I just don’t want to be overdressed either. (Also its dry clean only)

Thanks for that link corsair. I’ll definitely watch it when I get some free time.
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My words for dress for you and whoever else attends with you are these simple two:

Dress modestly.

That’s it. 🙂
 
Bryan77 said:
I found out that there is a Latin Mass where I live, and I was wondering if there is anything I should know beforehand. I hear the priest who does them is a former SSPX and is very strict. I also hear that Shorts are unacceptable, and Women must wear veils. I am unsure of what I should wear (Are jeans and a button up acceptable?) Also, is there anything I should expect in relation to participation? I hear that we are to receive communion kneeling and on the tongue. I really want to go, but I don’t want my first time to be negative on account of the priest getting mad at me for wearing the wrong clothing, or not doing something that I should be doing.
Click to expand...
My advice is dress business casual.

Sit towards the back so you can follow the veterans.

Here is a good explination

youtube.com/watch?v=3eb0R-edS3Y&feature=related

Heres a video by Father Donald Kloster

youtube.com/watch?v=k1kZhBeXMcQ
 
Agreed seconded to dress modestly. As was also said, the missal can be a hinderance early on, a little bit at a time. I recall how I had it at the start. It took a while for me to be comfortable following along.
Like others said, so long as in state of grace, fasting appropriately, and receiving with a proper dispositon, you are ready to go. Confession is not necessary unless mortal sin is on the soul. As a side note, weekly or every other week confession is a beautiful way to receive an increase of grace and a way to help eliminate or lesson our faults/habits that need tending to, besides it taking away mortal sin if any.

CB
 
A book that I haven’t read yet, but have ordered based on the book’s title, and based on who the two authors are. I did not see imprimatur status in the book’s advertisement, but the two authors were given imprimatur status for their book “Catholicism for Dummies”.

amazon.com/Catholic-Mass-For-Dummies%C2%AE-ebook/dp/B004NSW9HM

The book could not provide the emotional comparison/contrast of the various types of Mass, that can be found & discussed about at CAF. However, the book would at least give explanation to the fundamentals for the different types of Mass.
 
Radmanna said:
A book that I haven’t read yet, but have ordered based on the book’s title, and based on who the two authors are. I did not see imprimatur status in the book’s advertisement, but the two authors were given imprimatur status for their book “Catholicism for Dummies”.

amazon.com/Catholic-Mass-For-Dummies%C2%AE-ebook/dp/B004NSW9HM

The book could not provide the emotional comparison/contrast of the various types of Mass, that can be found & discussed about at CAF. However, the book would at least give explanation to the fundamentals for the different types of Mass.
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This is a fine book for general Catholicism. However, furthermore be warned, NEVER buy Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism. It is worthless.
 
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