The Mass in countries outside of the USA

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I just came back from France. I attended Mass at the Cathedral at Tours. The Mass was very similar to an American one. Unfortunately, I do not know all of the prayers in French and there was no missalette but the Mass is the Mass after all.

I also went in Paris and happened upon the Gregorian Chant choir Mass. They sang everything a cappella and a lot of the prayers were in Latin. It was rather like the EWTN mass. Very beautiful.

The churches were full but the cathedral only has 1 Sunday morning Mass!
 
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OurLadyOfEfes:
I visit Turkey every year I am hopeing that this year I will be able to visit the ancient see of smyrna (modern Izmir). For those of you who have not ever visited Turkey. I would highly suggest it did you know that in Ephesus the house of the Blessed Virgin still stands? It is the same that the Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich saw in her visons of which there are a few books. Also the Grave of St John the Evangelist he was buried near where the council of Ephesus was held. Also about an 8 hour drive from there is The Church of St Nicolas (Santa claus) which is in pretty good shape considering it is 1600 years old. Also there are some awesome churches in Istanbul and underground churches in cappadocia.

Did you also know that all of the seven churches of revelation is right in Turkey and you could see them all within a one week tour?
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Which house are you talking about? Here is a link that says Mary’s house is in Loreto, Italy. newadvent.org/cathen/13454b.htm
 
I’ve heard of what OLoEfes is talking about. Our Lady lived in Ephesus it seems. This house is the place she resided, probably with the beloved disciple, toward the end of her earthly life. Tradition holds that many of the apostles assembled from the “ends of the earth” and gathered here for her “dormition.” What is interesting is that there are no relics. Why would He who chose her from among all humanity and all time allow her to see corruption?

At any rate, the Loreto house is a whole 'nother thing. It is purported to be the house in Nazareth that was miraculously transported to Loreto.

I’ve been to masses in Mexico. Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy and Czech Republic. The most beautiful were in Strasbourg Cathedral, FR, and the Stiftsbasilica in Aschaffenburg, GE (of course, it was Christmas and the choir was phenomenal…polyphany, chant, ahhhh…). Most of my experiences in Latin America have been good, also…very reverent. I’ve been fortunate to attend many beautiful masses in Rome. If you want to go to a mass in English there, Santa Susanna was quite nice. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the mass in another country…but it might make you miss Latin if you know it…it’s really something to feel at home with the liturgy anywhere in the world. Blessings.

jb
 
Two of the nicest Masses I have ever been to have been in France - Lourdes to be precise.

One was at the Grotto of Massibile, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette - a huge open air Mass, with people of all demoninations and ages - the other was in the sheep fold in the ‘City of the Poor’ about five minutes outside Lourdes, near where Bernadette grew up - the church is extremely small and spartan, but the Mass is so beautiful. I have been there three times as part of a parish pilgrimage and it’s at this location that we’ve always had Mass for the sick with the laying on of hands and so forth - it is extremely moving!
 
Well, I am Irish, living in Trinidad, so there are two countries where I have attended Mass many, many times. (Attended Papal Masses in each - 1979 in Ireland, and 1985 in Trinidad, and also in Rome).

I have also been to Mass in Spain, Italy and Greece (Europe); Grenada, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Aruba and Curacao (The Caribbean); and Venezuela and Mexico (Latin America).

It is a wonderful thing to go to Mass in different countries and realize that it is, basically, the same everywhere - except for any liturgical abuses - Aruba was the worst for that, in my experience.
 
Canada (where I live), Spain, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Taiwan (where teach), Mexico, Cambodia.
 
Our family celebrated Mass in Italy in 2001 and Portugal in 2004 and in numerous locations in Israel last month while on Pilgrimage. We went to Mass on Christmas Eve in the Church of the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem and that was particularly special.

Regarding Mary’s house in Ephesus, that is still somewhat uncertain as there is no mention of Mary ever going to Ephesus and Saint John was quite old himself before he went there. Went went to the Church of Dormition in Jerusalem where some tradition holds that she fell asleep. We also went to the Church of the Tomb of Our Lady where, of course, her tomb was empty.
 
Ireland -where I’m from, Japan -where I live, England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Greece, Korea, USA, and a few more but I forget.

I lived in England for 6 years and attended a lovely NO Latin Mass. In Japan and Korea, we never kneel but stand most of the time. We also bow a lot. In France, the priest appeared drunk and fell asleep during the readings - every week!. He mumbled and appeared to fall asleep again during the sermon occassionally too. The church was almost empty and my host family (I was an exchange student for 3 months in Britany) thought I was some sort of religious nutcase because I insisted on going every Sunday. They were “catholic”! I have also been to Lourdres. There it was beautiful, packed and reverent.
Spain and Portugal were lovely but I didn’t understand much. However, it was still easy to follow. The same for most of the other countries in Europe. Went to an English Mass in Rome. Again, it was lovely and well attended.
USA, I’ve been to several different churches/Masses. Most were totally normal Masses with nice friendly people but well, one church I went to was Catholic, maybe! I had never seen anything quite like it and never hope to again. At one stage, the woman next to me hugged me and asked me to forgive her. I was too stunned to say or do anything. Some people were walking in the aisle shaking hands during the “sign of peace”. The family in front of me ate snacks throughout the Mass and kindly offered them to everyone around them. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. I really will never forget the “experience”.

Gearoidin
 
I’ve attended Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London. Beautiful…standard Pauline Mass, but all the “sung” parts were sung in latin by a choir.
 
The Netherlands
Poland
Germany

and in February I will be going to St Peter’s and all of the great basilicas around Rome & Germany. My girlfriend and I will be spending 3 weeks there visiting her Italian family & I’ll be visiting some German friends (mostly Lutheran though).

I enjoyed mass the most in Poland.
 
Scotland
England
Germany
Singapore
Indonesia
Hong Kong
South Korea
Philippines
 
Two parishes in Ontario, Canada.

I was fortunate enough to attend Ash Wed. Mass several years ago at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto. A beautiful church, and a very solemn and reverent Mass. The tenor cantor even chanted the Mass prayers acapella. 🙂
 
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irelandsgirl:
Two of the nicest Masses I have ever been to have been in France - Lourdes to be precise.

One was at the Grotto of Massibile, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette - a huge open air Mass, with people of all demoninations and ages - the other was in the sheep fold in the ‘City of the Poor’ about five minutes outside Lourdes, near where Bernadette grew up - the church is extremely small and spartan, but the Mass is so beautiful. I have been there three times as part of a parish pilgrimage and it’s at this location that we’ve always had Mass for the sick with the laying on of hands and so forth - it is extremely moving!
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Hate to be picky but the Cite St Pierre City of the poor ] is nowhere near Bartres This is where Bernadette spent some time ]- in fact they are almost diametrically opposite each other. The Church in Bartres is lovely - and there is a relic of St Bernadette there too

What you did see at the Cite St Pierre is a replica/reproduction of the Sheepfold at Bartres.
 
Japan
Philippines
India
Australia
Mexico
Colombia
Panama
Honduras

The most orthodox in content and style were in the Philippines and Mexico. The most liberal without a doubt was Australia. The Mass in India was somewhat different, and I’m not at all sure it was a Roman Catholic Mass, although the church was said to be in communion with Rome.

Overall they were very similar with just minor cosmetic details mainly, except for as I said Australia and India.
 
Canada, though where I come from (michigan), Canada doesn’t count as a foreign country.
 
warrior71 wrote:
The most orthodox in content and style were in the Philippines and Mexico. The most liberal without a doubt was Australia. The Mass in India was somewhat different, and I’m not at all sure it was a Roman Catholic Mass, although the church was said to be in communion with Rome.

Overall they were very similar with just minor cosmetic details mainly, except for as I said Australia and India.
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Australia is a mighty BIG country to be labelled as you have done!

Perhaps if you isolated it to Queensland - or Brisbane???

But, you must have evidence for the claim?

I admit that my home parish of Lilydale, Melbourne is pastored by a liturgical barbarian (who I reported to my Archbishop and to Cardinal Arinze - but, the surrounding parishes (Croydon, Ringwood, Mt Eliza, Heallesville) are all liturgically orthodox.

Please explain!

Personally, it appears to me that the USA is the biggest offender - with, of course. many exceptions!

Dare I say this? … Why not!

WOW! You must hate Australia!

(Just joking, of course. http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon12.gif)
 
My friends were in Vietnam and looking for a Catholic Church to attend Sunday Mass. They couldn’t find a driver who understood English. Then one of them made the Sign of the Cross and that got them to a Church.
 
India only, since I live here. But though the mass does not differ from state to state, the atitude of the people does. They are far more reverent in the South, head covered, kneeling, great devotion and very holy atmosphere.
 
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