Latin mass server

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Miraculous_Medal

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It’s been 2 months since I started going to Latin mass 90+% of the time. I love it.

I’m starting to serve tmr and I’m nervous. Any tips?

Thanks,
Kevin
 
I can’t offer you any tips. I just wanted to say congratulations. The Latin mass is beautiful. It looks like it would be difficult to learn to serve at, though. Prayers it goes well. 🙏
 
  1. quit worrying. 60 years ago, all new servers eventually made some mistake; most of them were minor.
We had marble floor and steps around the altar, and in order to not mar the marble, we had to wear black booties of cotton. I was trying to move the book and stand from the Epistle side to the Gospel side (go down, genuflect, and go up) and I slipped, managing to kick the bells and sending them clattering.

I lived. And everyone who gasped or laughed carried on.

You will do fine. Perfect? Don’t worry about that, just do your best.

And no, it is not difficult to learn; 11 year olds did it back then.
 
I have served the TLM for decades. Learn your responses and your movements. Watch experienced servers. You’ll be fine.
 
The number one tip for serving at any mass:

Whatever you’re doing, make it look like that is what you’re supposed to be doing, even if it isn’t what you’re supposed to be doing.
 
Lol this is exactly what the priest said today! I just made minor mistakes. 😊
 
What I found hard today was distribution of communion. Anything can make me laugh really hard uncontrollably. I was trying really hard not to laugh when I saw the people with their closed eyes sticking their tongue out. I ended up focusing on the peoples hair.
 
😱 A parishioner expected perfection second day. Cuz I did something wrong. I’m kind of discouraged 😔
 
I’ve been an MC a couple of times at our Latin Mass and served multiple times. There is a tough learning curve, especially when memorizing all the Latin prayers. Our priest is pretty patient since he knows very few people want to take the time to learn all that minutiae. The gripes from the laymen in the pews just needs to be ignored. It’s a lot to assimilate, and you’re only human. My advice is to blow off the criticisms and focus on your internal comportment. Focus on Christ and pleasing him with your prayer. If someone wants to jump on your back about rubrics, just smile and pray for them. God is more interested in your heart, not rubrical exactness.
 
I’ve never served at a TLM but do serve a reverend OF mass. Here’s an advice for you, make everyone believe that what you are doing is correct even if it isn’t and when you make a mistake try not to laugh so people won’t know that you actually made a mistake.
 
60+ years ago we had the same problem. The serious talk (or, source of laughter) was how long a string of spit Father could pull from someone’s tongue.

Yes, we had a sense of reverence, but grade school kids have limited focus.
 
I have a pretty good idea what I might say to that parishioner, and it could be repeated in polite society, but they would know they had been set back a pace or two.

You are going to have to grow some thicker skin, as people will criticize out of insensitivity, or rudeness, or other sources of such unnecessary commentary. Just consider the source.
 
Miraculous_Medal said:
😱 A parishioner expected perfection second day. Cuz I did something wrong. I’m kind of discouraged 😔
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You’re not their to please the parishioners, or to cater to their often riduculous expectations or whims. As long as your priest is happy with your execution of your duties, there is no problem. Every parish has its jerks who nitpick about every little thing. There is no point in trying to satisfy them, because the actually get a weird pleasure from being dissatisfied. Best ignore them, focus on your duties, and listen to your priest.
 
This was a big problem where I live.
We had parishoners sending nasty emails to priests after celebrating the EF complaining about very petty things. One priest pronounced his Latin slightly different, his hands weren’t far enough apart or he didn’t bow deep enough, blah, blah, blah.

We have about 20 priests who can say the EF, only about 4 regularly do, in part due to the attitude of some of the attendees.

Don’t worry about the people in the pews, keep your priest happy, and all shall be well.
 
Yes, I was speaking to senior altar servers, they did say to grow thick skin. He said something along the lines of the traditionals are one of the most people out there 🤣.
 
Don’t let them get you down! I’m sure that God is pleased at your efforts to serve Him, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. 😊 I am sure that serving will be second nature to you before you know it! God bless you and congratulations! @Miraculous_Medal
 
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Thanks! I’ll be serving on Easter Monday. I took a break because of exams. I hope I remember what to do 😊
 
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