Requesting EF mass

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valoriuslobo

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In short: is it worth trying? I have an affinity for the EF even though I grew up with the NO.

I attend morning mass and while it’s more solemn and reverant than the Sunday NO masses, I am craving an EF mass, even if it were once in a while.

Is it worth it requesting it? From my understanding of SP, a group of faithful must petition their priest to do so. I was ruminating over the possibility of asking some of the older folks at the morning mass to co-sign a letter of request, but am hesitant in doing so, as the reactions I’ve received about TLM has gone from a general lack of understanding to people thinking it’s been banned.

Advice please…😦
 
It can NEVER hurt to try. I would definately reccomend approaching other parishioners about this; if questions are raised, maybe you could have a good explanatory text on hand to give out.
 
I don’t know if request is the right word. I would definitely let them know you’d support it and hope others have as well; otherwise they’ll never know.

But I wouldn’t expect anything right away. It takes a while for a priest to learn enough Latin to be able to say the Mass and most priests know or remember very little Latin. The Vatican is trying to change that.
 
By all means ask. Your priest will probably indicate that he doesn’t think there is enogh interest to make it worthwhile, so you might then ask to place a note in the Bulletin to find out how much interest there might be in the parish for the EF. You may be surprised at the ages of some of those interested.

Then be ready for the inquiries which can range from general and honest interest, to those who are hostile, to those who think you’r trying to go SSPX or something.
Respond to any and all inquiries with charity.

Additionally, check out if there are any EF’s currently being celebrated within a reasonable distance and, if there seems sufficient interest, perhaps you could go as a group to “check it out”.

In short, if you are drawn to the EF, then perhaps you can work as the representative in your parish to promote the SP and raise awareness of this option.

Good luck.

Peace
James
 
valoriuslobo said:
In short: is it worth trying? I have an affinity for the EF even though I grew up with the NO.

I attend morning mass and while it’s more solemn and reverant than the Sunday NO masses, I am craving an EF mass, even if it were once in a while.

Is it worth it requesting it? From my understanding of SP, a group of faithful must petition their priest to do so. I was ruminating over the possibility of asking some of the older folks at the morning mass to co-sign a letter of request, but am hesitant in doing so, as the reactions I’ve received about TLM has gone from a general lack of understanding to people thinking it’s been banned.

Advice please…😦
Click to expand...
Have you checked to see whether you already have a Latin Mass within reachable distance? Chicago has a relatively high quotient of Latin Masses, especially west side and south side, so if you need to satisfy your craving it ought to be possible. If you’re closer to downtown, St. John Cantius is just a block from the Blue Line at Milwaukee & Chicago.
 
valoriuslobo said:
In short: is it worth trying? I have an affinity for the EF even though I grew up with the NO.

I attend morning mass and while it’s more solemn and reverant than the Sunday NO masses, I am craving an EF mass, even if it were once in a while.

Is it worth it requesting it? From my understanding of SP, a group of faithful must petition their priest to do so. I was ruminating over the possibility of asking some of the older folks at the morning mass to co-sign a letter of request, but am hesitant in doing so, as the reactions I’ve received about TLM has gone from a general lack of understanding to people thinking it’s been banned.

Advice please…😦
Click to expand...
Valoriuslobo,

I am in the process of starting up a TLM with fellow parishioners. As someone who is just a few steps ahead of you I would STRONGLY recommend you try. What I did was simply talk to people and started a group. I became aware of those priests who knew Latin and the Older Mass and just started asking them. Along the way I got some very knowledgable and influential people involved who also loved the TLM.

What I found was that people were always interested in the Mass but for whatever reason they never moved forward for such a great and admirable interest…even a PRIEST was interested but he simply did not know there was anyone that wanted the Mass! So I would say GO FOR IT and if the Lord wills it thank Him immensely and continue to pray about it. Our priest that offered to say the Mass is now relearning the TLM and God willing we will soon have our first Mass within months. Reflecting on it I just think how crazy it is that none of this was going on before…all it took was one person to simply ask around. You are in my prayers and remember this is not an easy task but you will be rewarded by God and your efforts always. Prayers for you.

Rudy
 
Priests are very busy- especially good ones. A priest will have to make time for the Mass itself. He will have to take time to learn it if he doesn’t already know it (or re-learn it if it’s been more than 40 years since he’s celebrated Mass with the 1962 Missal). He will have to take time to train servers for it. Is your desire for the Traditional Latin Mass really worth asking that from the priest? It may be- for many, it is. If it really enriches your spiritual life, helping you to grow in holiness and to come to a deeper understanding of what Jesus did for you, then you should definitely ask for it- but please do it while keeping in mind just what you are asking for the priest to do for you (and that you may be asking others, who also need him, to sacrifice their needs in order for the priest to make a new commitment to you).
 
Thanks for the encouraging words. I have been mulling over this for awhile but I guess it’s trepidation that is preventing me from speaking up! :rolleyes:

rben20: thank you for your prayers. You are right that it just takes one person, but I’d expect a range of responses, from positive to negative.

m134e5: the points you raised are part of the reason of my hesitation in going forward with this. I suppose it is inherently selfish to want to bloster my spirituality through the institution of TLM in my parish…and, what about the priest? He’s a busy, busy, busy man and is it fair of me to add more to that? (rhetorical question). But then again, I’ve heard with SP that it’s our right…

This just something I’m going to have to pray and consider some more. Maybe I’ll start by talking to some people nonchalantly about it. I’ve talked to someone else already and he didn’t have anything against TLM per se, just that he liked to understand what was being said. Wish I had countered with “you could’ve brought a missal” but alas the right response always seems to elude me!

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
By and large it is younger people who attend the EF, rather than older people who remember it. Naturally there are both, but I would not agree that approaching older Catholics will yield great results.
 
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