Never Been to a Latin Mass?

[corsair]

Well, I do have both forms of the Mass available, plus its not that far to a Byzantine liturgy. And I choose the Traditional Form or EF as my Mass of choice. My second choice would be the Byzantine.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Well, I do have both forms of the Mass available, plus its not that far to a Byzantine liturgy. And I choose the Traditional Form or EF as my Mass of choice. My second choice would be the Byzantine.

So? It is a choice. You are free to exercise that choice. What is not permitted is to say that one form of the Mass is somehow better or imparts more or special graces than the other. You may like one form over the other, but you can’t promote it as better, etc. That is what the Church teaches. One is not better than the other, and they carry the same graces.

Christ’s sacrifice is not more efficacious in the EF than the OF, or the Byzantine Rite or vice-versa. It is the same sacrifice. It is divisive to the Church to argue about which form of the Mass is better.

 

[ProVobis]

Those of you who are upset at this phrase special graces: how, exactly, do you understand that term?

The only extra grace one gets is measured by the distance one drives or walks, especially in the Midwest winter weather.

 

[clem456]

In our own parish we are attempting to preserve the reverence and countercultural (which now means traditional, not modern or rebellious) liturgical atmosphere. Our current liturgical atmosphere would already be seen as quite progressive by many. It is OF, with a wide variety of hymns from ancient Latin to 70’s and 80’s stuff.

Still, there are parishioners who would like our Mass to be more people-centered, informal and relaxed, with a more “sociable” atmosphere…to inject 4 piece pop combos and visual projection aids at Mass. Issues of music style, silence, reverence, etc…are being debated. Much of the counter-effort to stem this tide of innovation is aimed at keeping the Mass from becoming more “social” in an irreverent way, and more sacrifice and worship-centered. Yet we are also called to be social people, to be welcoming, to be kind to each other and to people who may be visiting the Catholic Church. We do want people showing up for Mass, RIGHT?

So I find the tone of the blog posted quoted in the OP really shortsighted. Many of us don’t want handshakes and kisses of peace and applause and “profane” music at Mass. But we should be welcoming, we want people to attend Mass. So why in the world would anyone be against welcomers at Mass? Someone to open the large oak doors, greet people and welcome them to Mass? And help seat them? This might be one of the stupidest blog posts I’ve ever read.
The same attitude that says we should keep social hour outside the Mass, but welcome more people to it, doesn’t want to greet people at the door and welcome them to a reverent Mass.

 

[Neofight]

linenonthehedgerow.blogspot.com/2014/02/never-been-to-latin-mass.html?showComment=1393175195530

You are in for a disappointment.

I mean, I do believe that sometimes those of us who adhere to the EF Mass really ramp it up too much.

We rave and rant about how mystical, reverent and inspirational it is and then - for the first time visitor it’s so-ooo quiet.

And the priest has his back to the congregation so you feel just a little bit…er…ignored?

You came expecting the Latin, of course, but you have no idea when to stand, kneel or genuflect…and you just know that everyone is looking at you, waiting to see you make some fundamental mistake like sitting down when the rest of the congregation stand.

You come away bewildered and asking yourself what all the fuss was about.

Next week it’ll be back to the jolly old Ordinary Form, so much easier, and it’s all in English (unless you happen to go to a Tagalog/Polish/Chinese/Urdu/Swahili Mass).

So let’s dispel some myths.

First, don’t feel unwanted just because there are no greeters on hand to give you a leery smile and an even leerier hug before you enter the church.

“I’m the parish greeter, but they won’t have me at the Latin Masses!”

We at the traditional end of the Faith just happen to believe that you are grown up and should be treated like one, we are confident that you can find a pew in the church without some creep good soul guiding you to your seat.

Next, don’t worry about everyone watching you - we are all so intently devout (ahem) that we would not notice if Noddy and Big Ears marched in to Mass.

And as for sitting, kneeling and standing…do nothing until you feel that you know what is what - and that may take quite a few visits.

Just sit and watch and pray.
You don’t even have to follow the prayers of the Mass, you may pray to yourself or just meditate and soak up all that is taking place.

But, if you feel that the above advice is just a bit too laid back, here are a few key essentials that you may like to observe:-

1. Genuflect before entering your pew and, again on leaving when Mass has finished (not when you go up to receive Holy Communion or return).
2. Wear a mantilla, hat or scarf (if you are a woman) and if you wish to do so - it’s a personal choice and no one will condemn you for going bareheaded.
3. Receive Holy Communion kneeling (if you are able, by all means stand if you are infirm) and by mouth. If you have not done this before just close your eyes and open your mouth reasonably wide with your tongue resting on your lower lip. The priest is adept at placing the Host gently on your tongue.

And that’s just about it, really.

But don’t expect to love the old Mass immediately. It takes time to establish itself in the hearts, minds and souls of those who have not experienced reverence, piety and peace in church before.

But there is one other effect from attending a Latin Mass that our old priest always emphasized when he sat round the dining table after a meal.

“The Latin Mass” he would say: “Brings special graces to those who attend”

And he was right.

Is a lot of this tongue in check, or are you really feeling that condescending?

 

[robwar]

A lot of people hearing just a few words in Latin get offended, especially Gregorian chant, so you get extra credit.

I’m not a traditionalist by the usual definition but, I would like to learn Latin and am not offended by hearing it at all. i also find Gregorian chant beautiful as well as love “guitar Masses”. I think in the OP stating that there are special graces to attend one Mass over another is ridiculous. It is the same Jesus in both.

 

[SwordOfTruth]

youtube.com/watch?v=h9ch9EJDGts

 

[ProVobis]

I’m not a traditionalist by the usual definition but, I would like to learn Latin and am not offended by hearing it at all. i also find Gregorian chant beautiful as well as love “guitar Masses”.

The reason I said most wouldn’t like the Gregorian chant isn’t so much becaus of its beauty (or lack of it) but it almost demands total silence unless you wish to chant along. Extended chant is very tough and its notation is strange for almost everyone; would the average churchgoer today even tolerate it for a minute?

 

[Veritas1994]

I am sorry that not many people liked the article. I found this article as I was browsing in the internet and it looked like it offered some advice to those who had never been in the Latin Mass. This is true also of those who have wrong ideas about the Latin Mass.

This includes thinking that you will be pointed at because it is your first time and you are doing everything wrong. It is not like that. Rather the article says that it might take a few times before you get accustomed to the Mass. This is true for me. Only after a couple of times did I get a sense of how the Mass went.

Only right now did I realize there are some things in the article that might sound rude. Such as when it talks about “Big Ears” and “Noddy” marched into Mass. Also about the “special” graces.

That being said I didn’t post it because there is no room for criticism in the article, but simply because I saw some advice for people who never have been to the Latin Mass