My First N.O Experience

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Dempsey1919

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Tonight was the first time that I’ve been to a Pauline Mass since I was eleven years old. When I returned to the Church after a long absence, I attended the Tridentine Mass exclusively. I’ve never had any theological problems with the Novus Ordo and I have always respected it as much as I do the Tridentine Mass. However, I will admit that I prefer the Extraordinary Form.

I’ve been meaning to attend the Novus Ordo for some time because I believe that it is important that I become acquainted with the Ordinary Form of the Mass. Due to a new job, I will be unable to attend the Tridentine Mass on a regular basis and the Ordinary Form will now become the Mass that I attend regularly. I decided to attend the OF tonight for this reason and I thought I’d share my thoughts with you.

Firstly, I will say that I left with mixed feelings. At first, I didn’t like it but then I realised the reason for this was because it was different. I don’t dislike the Novus Ordo, I’m just not used to it. In the future, I hope that I will grow to love this Mass as much as I love the EF. In a small way, I can empathise with those Catholics who experienced the change to the N.O in 1970. The Masses are the essentially the same, but they are also very different. The most important elements are still there but the experience is totally different.

People who attended the OF were just as friendly as those who attend the EF but they are much more talkative. Before the Mass, I like to kneel and pray in preparation; most if not all people who attend my EF do this. Tonight, I would estimate that only 50% kneeled. The rest talked. They were all discussing their daily lives with each other and were all greeting each other. In the EF, everyone is silent before the Mass; you could hear a pin drop.

Also, a lot of people came late, which was quite distracting. My non Catholic cousin who came with me found this very disrespectful. He said that people should make the effort to make it on time.

The Mass began with scripture readings. One of the things I like about the N.O is the greater use of scripture. A lay member read the scripture; I was suprised to see this as the Priest is the only one to read the Bible in the EF. I don’t have any problem with the lay reader but I like it better when a Priest reads.

Another suprising thing about the Novus Ordo was the participation of the congregation. They were constantly responding and saying prayers etc. They really took part in the Mass. I tried to follow along as best I could but I will admit that I was clueless most of the time. I found it hard to understand what they were saying at times because everyone was responding at their own pace. I don’t like this about the Novus Ordo because it is hard to meditate on the sacrifice taking place on the altar. During the EF, I like to focus on the Passion and pray for my family. I find it far more spiritually uplifting because I get to think and pray deeply. In the N.O, I was more focused on what I should be saying and doing.

Also, there is far less kneeling in the OF. We didn’t kneel during the Nicene Creed when they said “he became incarnate” like we do in the EF. Even after we recieved, people didn’t kneel for very long. After receiving the Eucharist I kneel until the end of the Mass during the EF. Tonight, I knelt for as long as I could until we had to stand up.

At the end of the Mass, there was a large stampede to leave. Nobody stayed after Mass to pray. After the EF, I always like to stay for 5 or 10 minutes in order to pray. I didn’t after the OF because I had to move in order to let people out of the pew. It was very difficult to genuflect when I left the pew and I accidently kicked someone with my back foot as I knelt down. I didn’t see anyone else do this as they left.

I didn’t leave the Mass with the peaceful feeling that I get after the Tridentine Mass. I will admit that I was always comparing this Mass to the Tridentine Mass and in my opinion, the Tridentine Mass is far better. I felt guilty about saying this after the Novus Ordo because I thought that I was in some way disrespecting the Pauline Mass. However, this is how I feel. The Tridentine Mass is better.

During the whole OF, I never heard the word “sacrifice” once. The Precious Blood was referred to as a “Spiritual Drink.” The OF is certainly valid, but I think that the EF expresses Catholic Doctrine more fully. The Eucharist is shown far greater respect and the people are far more respectful. They are silently meditating on the sacrifice. I like the N.O but it has more of a social feel.

Even though I have to attend the N.O because of my new job, the EF will always be my Mass of choice. Being unable to attend this Mass will only make me appreciate it more when I can.
 
thats an interesting post. you should know that the NO Mass varies quite a bit from place to place, unlike the TLM. it sounds like the one you went to was fairly average.

a lot of the things you mentioned were just the behavior of the people. unfortunately, while at the TLM (nearly) everyone who is there is there because they have some personal devotion to the Mass in that form, the NO is the “default” Mass and therefore gets all the people who dont really have any particular devotion to the Mass. since the Tabernacle is no longer placed on the high altar, some churches have moved it to an adoration chapel seperate from the main body of the church. while i strongly disagree and question why anyone would want to remove Jesus from their church, it does (usually) offer an added bonus of giving you somewhere to get away from the talking.

some of the changes you noticed are part of the new rubrics, while others are just people ignoring the rubrics. for example, though the rubrics dont call for you to kneel durring the Creed, you are now supposed to make a profound bow from “the power of the Holy spirit” through “became man.”
 
Dempsey, you have hit on some of the things which have bothered me for the last 40+ years - although I am fortunate enough to attend a reverent NO cathedral parish.

Yes, I like to kneel before Mass and pray and I do want it quiet to facilitate this. It is part of reverence and Deo gratias ite Deo gratias, my parish is good about doing this.

We don’t have a problem with people coming in late. Those who come in late are apt to be “run over” by the choir since the choir processes up the nave to the transept and then down the side aisles

I like our lectors. They get good training. My son was one of the youngest (admitted at 16 to read). I like the additional scripture readings and the psalm as well.

My parish remains kneeling until the Eucharist is returned to the tabernacle. This is common in reverent NO parishes and less common in the others.

We still genuflect upon entering and exiting the pew. Our tabernacle is not on the altar (it’s on the side altar) but it’s still visisble. No one rushes to get out. Most of us head over to the parish hall for coffee and donuts.

Sounds like you’re attending a fairly typical NO parish. There are probably other NO parishes which keep pretty much to the traditions we grew up with and which are common in an EF parish.
 
interesting post. one experience with the NO at one parish, and as many comments about the activity of certain members of the congregation before, after and during Mass, which are not mandated by the rite, as about the rite itself. and very little comment about essentials. we probably all need to refocus at times on what are the essentials. full active participation is one of those essentials, whether as contemplative or active participation. saying our own prayers rather than participating in the ongoing prayer of the church is not essential, and as OP suggests, doing so either before or after Mass is a great idea. when OP has more experience and the chance to really listen to the Eucharistic prayers (there are more than one now) he will undoubtedly be pleased at the many references to the “sacrifice” which abound.
 
It is wonderful you are so open both forms of the Mass!👍

If I may make a few comments, you mention being very distracted by all of the responses and having difficulty following along, thus it was difficult for you to really pray. I think as you get more comfortable with the NO you will be able to pray more easily. It is not unlike the rosary, if you didn’t know the prayers of the rosary you would probably be distracted and worried about reading the prayers… once you know it you can really pray it.

Much of your other comments had to do more with the “culture” of the parish and even at my NO parish it varies from Mass to Mass. I’ve found that the first and the last Mass on Sundays have the most reverent attendees in regards to silence, genuflection, and overall serenity. Since I myself am easily distracted, I go to one of those Masses. The mid-morning and mid-day masses are chaos, reverently offered by our holy priests, but fewer of that group seem to understand exactly what the Mass means. That too isn’t a bad thing, they left their houses and any time before the Blessed Sacrament is sure to guide them along towards deeper worship of God.

I’d recommend trying other parishes and Mass times to find a Mass that allows your soul to pray most naturally.
 
Rachele_Ann said:
It is wonderful you are so open both forms of the Mass!👍

If I may make a few comments, you mention being very distracted by all of the responses and having difficulty following along, thus it was difficult for you to really pray. I think as you get more comfortable with the NO you will be able to pray more easily. It is not unlike the rosary, if you didn’t know the prayers of the rosary you would probably be distracted and worried about reading the prayers… once you know it you can really pray it.
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perhaps, though the responsorial psalm never gets any better. personally, even though i attend the NO daily, i still prefer the TLM for the reasons the OP mentions.
 
Dempsey, if you don’t mind me asking, how were the altar servers? What did you think of them?
 
Thank you for posting this. I found it very interesting. I have read stories of many people’s first experience of attending the EF after only knowing the OF. But, never the other way around.

James
 
As someone already mentioned, perhaps you need to find a different evening Mass at another parish?

Also, the Order of the Mass is in the front of the Music Issue or in the Missalette. The Missalette will also have the readings of the day, along with the various “prayers of the day” (can’t spell the real word that starts with an “A”)
 
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BritishCatholic:
Dempsey, if you don’t mind me asking, how were the altar servers? What did you think of them?
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There was a Brother, a younger man in a robe and a normal lay person. They were fine, although I think the lay person could have made the effort to dress more appropriately, however this is just a personal opinion.

I am most familiar with a Missa Cantata. The servers in that Mass do a lot more and occupy a more prominent place within the Mass. The servers in the new Mass don’t do as much; there was no incense, no Asperges, no paten held under the chin when receiving the host. However, I don’t know if all Pauline Masses are like mine, some may have the Asperges etc.

During the new Mass, I received the Eucharist on the tongue. I would have preferred to receive kneeling but I wanted to do what everyone else was doing; I didn’t want to be different. I also didn’t want people to think I was making a statement. Everyone else received in the hand; I only noticed one elderly lady receiving on the tongue.

Looking back, I would say that I enjoyed the experience. I will not deny that it was totally different to what I am used to but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad.

The main thing I would say is that the new Mass allows the congregation to actively participate. In the EF, the congregation participates in silent prayerfulness.

It would have been great to hear some gregorian chant and some latin in the OF. I did recognise the Kyrie but this was in English. I was suprised that it wasn’t in the original greek. Also, the prayers seem far shorter. In the Tridentine Mass, one of my faviourite prayers is the Gloria and I thought this would be present in the new Mass. In the OF, there was no Confiteor which was suprising.

I have a lot to learn about the New Mass. I have taken the time to learn about the Tridentine Mass and I think I’ll learn about the New Mass aswell. I may buy a Missal for the OF so that I can learn the prayers etc. Do people have missals for the new Mass?
 
the Gloria is removed due to advent. it is normally required for sundays and major feast days.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
In the OF, there was no Confiteor which was suprising.

I have a lot to learn about the New Mass. I have taken the time to learn about the Tridentine Mass and I think I’ll learn about the New Mass aswell. I may buy a Missal for the OF so that I can learn the prayers etc. Do people have missals for the new Mass?
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WRT to the Confiteor, there are about a dozen options for the penitential rite … the Confiteor is only one. This, IMHO, is one of the greater flaws of the OF Mass … Waaaaayyyy too many options. The only time we hear the Confiteor in my Church is when there is no Deacon … I guess they feel that he needs something to do so they let him read one of the many other penitential options … this leaves me a bit empty.

As far as the missal for the new Mass, I use the Daily Roman Missal published by the Midwest Theological Forum and edited by Rev. James Socias. It has all of the readings for every Mass of the year (it is a little thick). It has beautiful artwork in it (not the horrible 70’s new age garbage that was so prevalent after V2). It has traditional prayers, etc … but also, it has the Latin throughout for the prayers, and especially for each of the Eucharistic prayers (again, too many options). Having the Latin on one side and the English on the other, you can really see what a hatchet job the ICEL did on the translation. It is a great missal and I really enjoy it. Here is a LINK to it.

+JMJ+
 
Interesting post.

I’ll admit I’ve never been to a Tridentine-rite mass before. There’s none around here. Though I’d like to attend one.

But I can say that Novus Ordo masses vary greatly between parish and parish in how well they are done and how the participants in the mass behave. At one particularly conservative church (St. Agnes in St. Paul, MN) the mass is done with great reverence and the parishioners reflect that during the mass. In another one I go to closer to home when I miss the morning and early afternoon masses on Sunday has a “youth” service. It has gotten better since I first went (when it seemed quite ridiculous) and the current priest is an excellent homilist, but the music is still very cheesy and not fitting for a mass IMO and much of the parish leaves right after communion!

Another thing…re. the praying after / before mass and talkativeness, I think most who would search out and attend a Latin mass would be more “serious” Catholics compared to those who go to the nearest and most convenient N.O. mass. Though anybody who attends mass weekly is more serious of a Catholic than average in the U.S. today 😦
 
Dempsey1919 said:
During the whole OF, I never heard the word “sacrifice” once. The Precious Blood was referred to as a “Spiritual Drink.”
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while this is true, the OF does in fact refer to the sacrificial aspect of the Mass. For instance when the priest says before the Eucharistic Prayer: “Pray,brethren, that your sacrifice and mine will be acceptable to God, our Almighty Father.”

Furthermore in addition to the Roman Canon, all the other Eucharistic Prayers also refer to the sacrifice of the Mass. However I understand your thoughts. Far too often, the Mass is referred to ONLY as a “Celebration”, which it also truly is. But it is only a celebration in so far as the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the focus of our prayer, the celebration of our redemption in His most Holy Blood. In the OF, I hear the word “celebration” a lot more than any mention of the sacrifice. this is one of my biggest pet peeves!!

PAX
 
Dempsey:

This is only your first N.O. mass. Be patient. You will soon get used to it. As many posters pointed out, the reverence of the OF is highly variable from parish to parish, and even from mass to mass in the same parish. It is far more dependent on the priest/presider and the congregation than the EF. As you know, the EF is inherently reverent, regardless of who is in the congregation, and even when there are very few people in the pews. With the OF, the level of reverence depends on the disposition of the congregation (talking, posture, etc.), the priest/presider, and sometimes the interaction between them. My recommendation is that you check out as many N.O. masses in your area as you can. You are sure to find one to suit your taste. Good luck!
 
[QUOTEnew Mass,
[/QUOTE] Is it not the New Order of Mass not a new Mass.
 
VietCatholic83 said:
while this is true, the OF does in fact refer to the sacrificial aspect of the Mass. For instance when the priest says before the Eucharistic Prayer: “Pray,brethren, that your sacrifice and mine will be acceptable to God, our Almighty Father.”
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“May the Lord accept the Sacrifice at your hands, for the Praise and Glory of His Name, for our good and the good of all His Church”

I did a quick google search of Order of Mass and got this.
catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

We should always be careful on documentation on the internet because its easy to portray something as official when its not. I gave this a good once over and it looked correct to me, but I make no claims about the rest of the site simply because I haven’t looked over it too closely. I would recommend getting a copy of the Daily Roman Missal for the ordinary form if you want something more comprehensive and concrete.
 
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