M
MissRose73
Guest
My Ordinary Form and ExtraOrdinary Mass Form Experiences
I went to both forms this past Corpus Christi Sunday at churches not in my hometown as I was attending a concert that evening.
I went to the OF Mass first. It was the first Mass on Sunday morning, not a lot of people there - maybe about half the pews with people. It was a typical Mass with music and lay participation in various sections like the readings and assisting with Communion distribution to the faithful.
I later went to the EF Mass. It was held in a chapel like place in the cathedral. It was a simple setup, and a small congregation. The altar was setup so that the priest would be not facing the congregation most of the time. He also had 2 male altar servers that were adults wearing black and white robes. Before Mass, I did introduce myself to the priest, and he thanked me for coming, and said if I have questions to ask those near me. I remembered to bring my father’s old missal to refer to the various readings etc for Corpus Christi Sunday.
I sat near the back of the congregation conservatively attired & wearing a black mantilla. Everyone in the congregation was also dressed nicely & conservative in either a nice business casual or professional style of clothing, even the children with their parents. Nearly every female had their head covered either with a mantilla, scarf, hat, or chapel veil in some way including the young girls. Very few women did not cover their heads, and it was possible they were visitors or forgot their head coverings.
What struck me is that during Mass, the kids were quiet and rarely talked. The few babies that were there were taking to the back area when they made a fuss. I did notice many parents had brought books for the kids to follow along with Mass as they were not yet 1st Communion age.
It was relatively quiet before Mass with very little talking compared to the OF Mass where people tend to talk in whispers or very low voices before it starts. Most people prayed the rosary quietly or other prayers, others sat quietly.
The only parts of the Mass that were in English were the Epistle, The Gospel, The Homily and the prayers after the Last Gospel. The only singing was after the prayers was the “Lourdes Hymn” (Immaculate Mary) - 1st verse.
Much of the Mass of the Faithful part could not be heard by the faithful as the prayers were read in a low voice by the priest, there were a few exceptions, and you really had to pay attention to know where the priest was at to follow along.
The communion rail was setup before Mass with about 6 kneelers placed together. You only receive the host on the tongue and do not respond to the priest with Amen like in the OF. The priest is the only one who drinks from the chalice.
After the Last Gospel then a set of prayers, then Mass is over. People did chat some but in lower voices. Those people who did notice that I was a visitor were welcoming and nice to me, and hoped that I would return sometime.
I do wish that a few things would carry over from the EF to the OF Mass in my opinion - people dressing better, kids being a bit quieter and dressed decently, and a bit more quiet before Mass for those who wish to pray or reflect quietly.
I went to both forms this past Corpus Christi Sunday at churches not in my hometown as I was attending a concert that evening.
I went to the OF Mass first. It was the first Mass on Sunday morning, not a lot of people there - maybe about half the pews with people. It was a typical Mass with music and lay participation in various sections like the readings and assisting with Communion distribution to the faithful.
I later went to the EF Mass. It was held in a chapel like place in the cathedral. It was a simple setup, and a small congregation. The altar was setup so that the priest would be not facing the congregation most of the time. He also had 2 male altar servers that were adults wearing black and white robes. Before Mass, I did introduce myself to the priest, and he thanked me for coming, and said if I have questions to ask those near me. I remembered to bring my father’s old missal to refer to the various readings etc for Corpus Christi Sunday.
I sat near the back of the congregation conservatively attired & wearing a black mantilla. Everyone in the congregation was also dressed nicely & conservative in either a nice business casual or professional style of clothing, even the children with their parents. Nearly every female had their head covered either with a mantilla, scarf, hat, or chapel veil in some way including the young girls. Very few women did not cover their heads, and it was possible they were visitors or forgot their head coverings.
What struck me is that during Mass, the kids were quiet and rarely talked. The few babies that were there were taking to the back area when they made a fuss. I did notice many parents had brought books for the kids to follow along with Mass as they were not yet 1st Communion age.
It was relatively quiet before Mass with very little talking compared to the OF Mass where people tend to talk in whispers or very low voices before it starts. Most people prayed the rosary quietly or other prayers, others sat quietly.
The only parts of the Mass that were in English were the Epistle, The Gospel, The Homily and the prayers after the Last Gospel. The only singing was after the prayers was the “Lourdes Hymn” (Immaculate Mary) - 1st verse.
Much of the Mass of the Faithful part could not be heard by the faithful as the prayers were read in a low voice by the priest, there were a few exceptions, and you really had to pay attention to know where the priest was at to follow along.
The communion rail was setup before Mass with about 6 kneelers placed together. You only receive the host on the tongue and do not respond to the priest with Amen like in the OF. The priest is the only one who drinks from the chalice.
After the Last Gospel then a set of prayers, then Mass is over. People did chat some but in lower voices. Those people who did notice that I was a visitor were welcoming and nice to me, and hoped that I would return sometime.
I do wish that a few things would carry over from the EF to the OF Mass in my opinion - people dressing better, kids being a bit quieter and dressed decently, and a bit more quiet before Mass for those who wish to pray or reflect quietly.
