C
Conservative
Guest
I made a stop today where I attend Tridentine Mass, expecting to find it empty. Well - almost. It was dark, but a priest was offering Mass - in beautiful garments. No altar boys, no congregation - apparently an unscheduled Mass. The silence was so golden that after I knelt I felt almost guilty for what little noise I’d made coming in, as I’m sure he didn’t expect anyone.
Uninterrupted, the priest continued praying - as I tried to follow where he was and pray mentally in Latin. (It was more difficult - without having altar attendants’ responses and not precisely sure where I’d walked in during the Mass. And during a regular Mass the priest prays a bit louder, making it easier to follow. With each moment, it just became more beautiful - so special. No bell during the Consecration but now I knew where he was in the Mass. And then just hearing the breaking of the Host, which I assumed was to precede ‘Per Ipsum et Cum Ipso’.
When a couple came in I was almost jealous that they had taken away this privately beautiful Mass moment from me. The whole thing was so unexpected.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We have no idea the beauty of it when we’re distracted by rushing in/rushing out, and the many normal distractions connected with attending en masse.
I wondered who the Mass was being offered for, thinking it mighte even be one of those being offered for my Mom’s recently departed soul - and, if so, wouldn’t it be strange I should walk in then. Who knows? God works in mysterious ways. There’s only so many Masses - and a heavy request list. In any event, it was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience, perhaps a gift given to me for some reason I may never know - and I thank God for it.
Uninterrupted, the priest continued praying - as I tried to follow where he was and pray mentally in Latin. (It was more difficult - without having altar attendants’ responses and not precisely sure where I’d walked in during the Mass. And during a regular Mass the priest prays a bit louder, making it easier to follow. With each moment, it just became more beautiful - so special. No bell during the Consecration but now I knew where he was in the Mass. And then just hearing the breaking of the Host, which I assumed was to precede ‘Per Ipsum et Cum Ipso’.
When a couple came in I was almost jealous that they had taken away this privately beautiful Mass moment from me. The whole thing was so unexpected.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We have no idea the beauty of it when we’re distracted by rushing in/rushing out, and the many normal distractions connected with attending en masse.
I wondered who the Mass was being offered for, thinking it mighte even be one of those being offered for my Mom’s recently departed soul - and, if so, wouldn’t it be strange I should walk in then. Who knows? God works in mysterious ways. There’s only so many Masses - and a heavy request list. In any event, it was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience, perhaps a gift given to me for some reason I may never know - and I thank God for it.