TLM in times of covid

  • Thread starter Thread starter Amac1
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Tis_Bearself said:
I’ve perfected the art of pushing the mask up just enough to put the Communion in my mouth and then pull it back down, but I did see an elderly man right in front of me drop Jesus by accident a few weeks back.
Click to expand...
It’s heart breaking and I rarely had issues before February, but now at at least one mass each Sunday I have to stop distributing, clean the spot and pray that it doesn’t happen again.
 
Maximian said:
Anyone who goes to the TLM for the first time should approach it with the understanding that it is a contemplative spirituality. It’s not so much about you but about God and especially His sacrifice. Don’t worry about following the missal or trying to read the translation. It’s not about your comprehension, it’s about the priest’s action. Don’t worry about what you have to do. There are no absolute rules, only customs. If you want to sit at the back, do though I suggest you sit nearer the front to be able to focus on the altar better.

If it’s a low Mass there will be considerable periods of near silence. This can be quite tough for someone used to “active participation” but it can also be quite beautiful.
Click to expand...
Spot on!

Incidentally, if you know the date of the Mass, you might care to take a look at the whole of the specific Mass, including translation and guidance at the site below before attending. I would not take a copy to your first Mass however, as it will detract you from experiencing a new (lol irony there!) spiritual journey. I will also include a useful link to " 10 Things to Know Before Attending a Traditional Latin Mass"
Perhaps you might let us know how you found the experience?


http://extraordinaryform.org/masses.html
 
Receiving on the tongue.

When the person next to you is receiving communion, close your eyes, tilt your head back and put your tongue out. Don’t look at the host, as your head position will be incorrect. You can support yourself by holding onto the communion rail when you close your eyes for stability.

When you have received, make the sign of the cross instead of the Amen.

I hope you enjoy the Mass.
 
Last edited:
Yes I know the date… those links were a great help, thank you!
I will let you know how I get on 🙂
 
Excuse my ignorance, but what is high/low mass? And how will I know which one I will be attending?
 
The Church schedule will say “High Mass” (or “Sung Mass”, means same thing) or “Low Mass”.

Basically, High Mass is sung by the priest.

Low Mass isn’t.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
The Church schedule will say “High Mass” (or “Sung Mass”, means same thing) or “Low Mass”.

Basically, High Mass is sung by the priest.

Low Mass isn’t.
Click to expand...
Sorry, for putting on my pedantic hat…

The definition above is in common usage, but is not completely correct. Technically a sung mass (missa cantata) is not a high mass, but is really a low mass that borrows elements from the high mass. A high mass was traditionally defined by the use of 3 sacred ministers (priest, deacon, sub-deacon).

Not saying the definition is wrong per se, just clarifying that there are 3 different “levels” of solemnity within the Extraordinary Form with “high mass" being used to describe any form of the mass with sung parts.
 
Last edited:
I’m in the UK too and attend a TLM once a month when some friars come to a parish near me. That particular parish has a communion rail anyway so we all receive there. Only difference is the friars wouldn’t let you receive in the hand I haven’t seen if this is any different post covid cos I’ve never seen anyone try, sorry.

There isn’t any singing in the mass I go to but ours is a day of reparation so we have Exposition and Benediction and there’s singing for the Benediction and everyone just sings along with the priest. Mind you it’s a tiny congregation and its at the end of the day and we all wear masks, which as you know is the rules of churches.

One thing you may want to note is that often confession goes on throughout the mass and nowadays confession is in the church so don’t sit right at the front or you’ll be in the ‘able to hear the confessions zone’. I suggest sitting in the middle or you wont hear the lovely Latin at all.

Yes it’s fine to just sit and listen. Though do be prepared to kneel a lot more than normal. Just copy everyone else. Try to get a sense of what is going on rather than understand everything. Oh and you aren’t meant to hear all the priest says. Some of his prayers are for God alone. That’s my understanding anyway. I only started going last year so I’m no expert… just my thoughts that might help. Enjoy it.
 
Last edited:
You’re correct, however, many parishes don’t make the distinction between the two levels of Mass above Low Mass, or don’t make it with the same words you do, especially if it’s a parish that is not a TLM/ FSSP parish but is rather just an OF parish hosting some TLM’s. I oversimplified for our friend who is new to this but concede that your answer is indeed the more correct one.

What I often see in bulletins is something like “High Mass (Sung Mass)”. Which gets pretty confusing.
 
Last edited:
I don’t disagree about common usage; even the FSSP parish my wife and kids attend list it as “Sung High Mass”. I beleive when using 3 sacred ministers they publish it as a Solemn High Mass.

I was really more thinking about the fact that the differences between a spoken low mass and a missa cantata are relatively minor compared to the… grandeur, for lack of a better term… of a solemn high mass.

More mentioned it as an educational point for the OP to be aware that not all “high” masses look the same and they would be missing out if the only high mass they ever experienced was the missa cantata.

One other difference that is common is that the prayers after mass (aka the leonid prayers) are only done around here following a low mass, not after a missa cantata or solemn high mass.
 
Thanks @Tis_Bearself and @Usige. I appreciate the oversimplification for my benefit. A lot of information for me to look up and learn about. Thank you 🙂
 
Oh just remember in UK communal use books such as the missals suggested by a previous poster have been removed from parishes so while helpful advice its unlikely you’ll find any as it’s against our Bishops recomendations. But you may find take home print outs for that particular day. The covid plus is that it’s a usual requirement to have a steward at the door so you can ask him/her if there are any handouts or just tell them you’re new while you’re doing the NHS track and trace and sanatising your hands. People are usually only too happy to help. God bless.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top