NO Mass in Latin and sung

[valoriuslobo]

I went to a Low Mass and a High Mass and an NO Mass sung in Latin over the weekend. It was a real treat for me, because I haven’t been to TLM since June (I know, stake me through the heart!I’m as pained as the absence of TLM as others are). I really love the absolute silence and solemnity of low Masses and the chanting and music and intonation of a High Mass is indescribably sublime and transcendent.

What was interesting was the NO latin sung Mass. Has anyone ever been to one of these? The Priest processed to the sanctuary instead of entering it from the sacrisity, but one of the servers did incense the altar. There were many parts during which that I actually got confused if I was in a Tridentine or NO Mass! There were lots of young, large families and a spattering of older people there.

The only issue I had was during the sign of peace. As this is a NO Mass, they still did that. I’ve had it ingrained in me (though it’s by far my least “favorite” part) so I turned around and tried shaking some guy’s hand. It was a knee-jerk reaction but he looked taken aback that I had even participated in the Sign of Peace. In my embarrassment, I looked around and saw really only a few other people offering the exchange and everyone else remained solemn or even dour. I’m a big traditionalist myself, but I didn’t expect to unnerve that man, nor did I expect such a chilly reception. Anyone have any thoughts about NO rituals when the Mass is celebrated as similiar to the Tridentine Mass as possible?

 

[Pregustator]

I’ve never been a fan of the exchange of peace outside of a conventual setting, to be honest, with all the handshaking and chatting. To me it’s disruptive. But that’s life. When in Rome.

It would be nice if the exchange of peace went as it should, as the clergy do: an embrace with the exchange, “Pax tecum”, “Et cum spiritu tuo”.

 

[floresco]

In my embarrassment, I looked around and saw really only a few other people offering the exchange and everyone else remained solemn or even dour. I’m a big traditionalist myself, but I didn’t expect to unnerve that man, nor did I expect such a chilly reception. Anyone have any thoughts about NO rituals when the Mass is celebrated as similiar to the Tridentine Mass as possible?

It makes sense to me that the sort of person who is attracted to a sung Latin NO would not appreciate the typical way the Sign of Peace is done. I have been to such Masses and in my experience it is very restrained or even omitted. (As I recall, it is optional.)

 

[reggieM]

The OF can be offered in a way that looks very similar to the EF - as you noticed. This is especially true if you ever see a priest offering one or the other by himself - facing away from the congregation.

 

[ProVobis]

What was interesting was the NO latin sung Mass. Has anyone ever been to one of these?

My experiences with the Latin OF Mass (I presume that’s what you attended) have been very favorable. Sign of peace shouldn’t be a surprise although usually it’s done with a smile or a handshake or a nod of the head. One of the ones I attended didn’t even have the sermon in English. (Aaaaaah!) The rest of the Mass was recognizable since I’m very familiar with the EF, especially the Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Pater Noster, and Agnus Dei.

 

[corsair]

The Sunday 11:00am Mass at Holy Rosary in Portland, OR is normally a Latin Novus Ordo with Gregorian chant. The “sign of peace” is not done amongst the congrgation.

There is also a weekly Latin Novus Ordo Mass every Saturday evening at St. Stephen’s in SE Portland, OR, also with Gregorian chant.

Periodically, Holy Rosary offers a Dominican Missa Cantata. This Dominican parish has been a leader in the restoration of the old Dominican Rite in the western Province.

 

[OraLabora]

What was interesting was the NO latin sung Mass. Has anyone ever been to one of these?

Yep, at Monte Cassino abbey in Italy. I also know where you can go to one in Canada, and my abbey does the OF in French plainchant except that the Propers and Ordinary are in Latin Gregorian chant.

As you noted, there is little to distinguish in solemnity between a properly done solemn OF Mass and an EF High Mass.

If the OF were properly done everywhere, I doubt we’d be having all these divisive OF vs EF debates. It’s really a matter of following the Rubrics, GIRM, etc, for the OF.

 

[laszlo]

John Paul II said, that if the New Mass would be celebrated facing the tabernacle and in Latin, many people would believe that is the Traditional Latin Mass.

According to the in lines of the new translation (which would be obligatory beginning of Advent 2011) the handshaking for the rite of peace is optional:
Then, if appropriate, the deacon, or the Priest, adds:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

The St John Cantius fathers think it is not appropriate, people understood it quite fest. Otherwise the offer the New Mass in English, but still on that way it is strikingly similar to the Traditional Latin Mass.

I tend to believe that crucial point is facing the tabernacle, the Confiteor and the Roman Canon. This in itself keeps away the ad libitum improvisations, and through that the worship of the human success, which is the biggest problem with the liberal mass.

 

[Chatter163]

According to the in lines of the new translation (which would be obligatory beginning of Advent 2011) the handshaking for the rite of peace is optional:
Then, if appropriate, the deacon, or the Priest, adds:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

It has been that way since 1970.