Just got back from my 1st Mass

[mango_2003]

It was interesting. I like how structured it is…to an extent.

Even though I had read about how things were structured and generally understood the order of things…I was still lost. My mom (baptized and raised Roman Catholic, not practicing) informed me a little about what to expect. I knew a lot of what the congregation is to reply…but the problem is I only know it in Latin, since I’ve been in choir so long. Oh well.

Lemme see…I think I remembered to do everything correctly…except I forgot to get on one knee before entering the pew. Whoops.

I received the Eucharistic blessing (I think that’s what it’s called). That was neat. It was nice to be able to participate without infringing on any of the RCC beliefs. w00t.

I really really like the message (homily?). It was REALLY REALLY good.

I was kind of caught off guard that all of the hmyns were sung a cappella. I thought that an organ was usually played. Hmmm.

I was also kind of surprised to see an alter girl…I thought it was only alter boys?

All in all it was a neat experience. It’s nice to broaden my horizons.

~mango~

 

[A.Pelliccio]

We have some alatar girls too, I think the Pope is pushing for only alatar boys (or so Ive read) to preserve the sanctity of the mass.

Nice to see you enjoyed your mass.

 

[Maggie]

Awesome!!! I was just looking to see how it went, so I get to be first to congratulate you! They have both alter girls and alter boys. There’s been quite a debate on the forums about that . Depending on which Mass and where a lot of times they don’t have an organist for certain Masses so the hymns are only sung by the congregation… did they have a choir?

Pretty neat experience, though? I’m still amazed every time I go.

 

[Bud_Stewart]

Mango, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I am happy that you thought comfortable enough to attend a Mass. I was looking forward to your comments. I know you’ll share more when you have some time to reflect.

God Bless!

 

[Donna_Mc]

It was nice to hear about your experience at Mass.
I hope you will attend some more Masses.
God Bless You!

 

[CatholicNerd]

mango_2003:

It was interesting. I like how structured it is…to an extent.

I knew a lot of what the congregation is to reply…but the problem is I only know it in Latin, since I’ve been in choir so long. Oh well.

I received the Eucharistic blessing (I think that’s what it’s called). That was neat. It was nice to be able to participate without infringing on any of the RCC beliefs. w00t.

I was kind of caught off guard that all of the hmyns were sung a cappella. I thought that an organ was usually played. Hmmm.

All in all it was a neat experience. It’s nice to broaden my horizons.

~mango~

Hehe. You’d love the Masses I went to when I first became interested in studying the faith. The ordinaries (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) and some propers were all in Latin. The readings, homily, and canon were all English but the rest was Latin. It was great! And FYI, Latin is technically still the language we should be speaking at Mass. At least the ordinaries.

The blessing given by the priest to non-communicants is indeed a wonderful thing. And it certainly is efficacious! I remember feeling so honored to be touched by a hand that held the Sacred Host! It was a source of great comfort to me during those long months of study and prayer before my reception into the Church.

As far as the organ thing goes, some parishes have them, some don’t, and some have organs but no organist. We (well not me, I wasn’t alive then, but organists in general) were chased out of the Church in America in the 70’s along with most other musicians in favor of ‘new’ music that tried to do away with our Catholic heritage. A capella singing is rare, too. I’m glad you were able to hear it done at Mass!!! A parish that can harmonize is a real gem these days.

I’m so glad that your first Mass was a good experience! Hope you have many many many many many more chances to go! You should try an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, too. There’s a Ruthenian parish in Homer Glen, but since I’m not from Illinois I have no idea how close that is to you. Their website is here. byzantinecatholic.com/ Just wanted to let you know that there are Eastern Catholic churches that are just as Catholic as the Latin church. Together they all make up the Catholic Church. They believe exactly what we do, but express that belief in a very different and mystical way. There’s a good informational video on this page about the Eastern Catholic churches. byzcath.org/Faith-and-Worship/Videos.htm
I don’t want to confuse you or anything. Just wanna introduce you to the fullness of the Catholic Church. God bless!

I love your signature, by the way. Palestrina wrote a very beautiful setting of that psalm.

 

[mango_2003]

CatholicNerd:

Hehe. You’d love the Masses I went to when I first became interested in studying the faith. The ordinaries (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) and some propers were all in Latin. The readings, homily, and canon were all English but the rest was Latin. It was great! And FYI, Latin is technically still the language we should be speaking at Mass. At least the ordinaries.

Really??? I wish it was. I caught myself responding in Latin during the Agnus Dei…LOL!

The blessing given by the priest to non-communicants is indeed a wonderful thing. And it certainly is efficacious! I remember feeling so honored to be touched by a hand that held the Sacred Host! It was a source of great comfort to me during those long months of study and prayer before my reception into the Church.

Touched? I wasn’t touched physically, but it was still really cool!

I’m so glad that your first Mass was a good experience! Hope you have many many many many many more chances to go! You should try an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, too. There’s a Ruthenian parish in Homer Glen, but since I’m not from Illinois I have no idea how close that is to you. Their website is here. byzantinecatholic.com/ Just wanted to let you know that there are Eastern Catholic churches that are just as Catholic as the Latin church. Together they all make up the Catholic Church. They believe exactly what we do, but express that belief in a very different and mystical way. There’s a good informational video on this page about the Eastern Catholic churches. byzcath.org/Faith-and-Worship/Videos.htm
I don’t want to confuse you or anything. Just wanna introduce you to the fullness of the Catholic Church. God bless!

Thanks for that, although I can almost guarantee there’s nothing but Latin rite around here. Roman Catholicism isn’t big in this area. Dutch Reformed (I currently regularly visit this church) is by far the most common. I would really enjoy the type of Mass that you talked about!

I love your signature, by the way. Palestrina wrote a very beautiful setting of that psalm.

Thanks! I love it too! And, yes, Palestrina’s setting of that psalm is absolutely MAGNIFICENT! We sang it at school (U of Iowa) this spring.

~mango~

 

[CatholicNerd]

mango_2003:

Really??? I wish it was. I caught myself responding in Latin during the Agnus Dei…LOL!

~mango~

Yup, it really is. Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, promulgated by Pope Paul VI states:

"36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.

1. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the Liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.
2. These norms being observed, it is for the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Art. 22, 2, to decide whether, and to what extent, the vernacular language is to be used; their decrees are to be approved, that is, confirmed, by the Apostolic See. And, whenever it seems to be called for, this authority is to consult with bishops of neighboring regions which have the same language.
3. Translations from the Latin text into the mother tongue intended for use in the Liturgy must be approved by the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned above. "

---

A lot of people thought that meant to ditch Latin altogether. It’s slowly finding its way back into our parishes, thank the Lord! Too bad about the lack of Byzantine stuff in your area. There are a lot of Eastern catholic churches in Chicago, though. absolutely in love with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and other Eastern things despite his training as a Latin rite organist Ever heard Rachmaninov’s Vespers service or his setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom? Oh wow, it’s heavenly… just about all choral music of the Orthodox/Eastern Catholic tradition is. Here’s a great walkthrough of the Divine Liturgy saintelias.com/Liturgy_elia/Liturgy_elia.html

LOL I probably sound a little overzealous. But I just found about the Eastern churches and I’m absolutely in love with them… still, though, I think I’m more fond of Latin music for the most part. Can’t go wrong with chant, sacred polyphony, and French baroque organ music. LOL​

Are you a music major? I’m Vocal Ed+Organ performance at Eastern Washington University.

 

[mango_2003]

CatholicNerd:

A lot of people thought that meant to ditch Latin altogether. It’s slowly finding its way back into our parishes, thank the Lord! Too bad about the lack of Byzantine stuff in your area. There are a lot of Eastern catholic churches in Chicago, though. absolutely in love with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and other Eastern things despite his training as a Latin rite organist Ever heard Rachmaninov’s Vespers service or his setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom? Oh wow, it’s heavenly… just about all choral music of the Orthodox/Eastern Catholic tradition is. Here’s a great walkthrough of the Divine Liturgy saintelias.com/Liturgy_elia/Liturgy_elia.html

The next time in the Chicago-land area, I’ll be sure to check it out. All of my friends in the burbs are Roman Catholic…so I’m sure they’d be up for going.

It’s too bad that people have ditched the Latin over the years…such a beautiful language.

LOL I probably sound a little overzealous. But I just found about the Eastern churches and I’m absolutely in love with them… still, though, I think I’m more fond of Latin music for the most part. Can’t go wrong with chant, sacred polyphony, and French baroque organ music. LOL

Overzealous? Not at all! I can understand and appreciate your live for such a church. I would love to visit one!

Are you a music major? I’m Vocal Ed+Organ performance at Eastern Washington University.

THAT IS AWESOME! Organ performance is quite the major! I, sadly, am not a music major. I am a pre-pharmacy major…lol. I have loved music my entire life and have developed quite a Tenor II voice. I love vocal perfomances…and I also play the sax. I’m seriously considering picking up a Vocal Performance minor, although that would be an insane class load with pharmacy classes…

~mango~

 

[Edwin1961]

Yeah, If you get a chance to go to a Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Church, you will experience the reverance/spiritual awe of the entire DIvine Liturgy. You will get the Incense/icons/prayers etc., that brought me back to my baptismal rite.
Here is the website of the Eparchy (Diocese) of the Illinois area…it’s the same as mine.
parma.org/

Go with God!
Edwin