Traditional Latin Mass

prettiefly · Feb 8, 2012

Our Latin Mass community has been asked by a local Shrine to put on a workshop for people interested learning more about the Traditional Latin Mass. I would like to put together a simple FAQ pamplet for them, so I need to know what kinds of basic questions people may have about the Latin Mass.

I didn’t put this thread in the Traditional Catholic section because most of them already know the Latin Mass - I need questions from people that have never been or have only been a few times.

I ask people to simply put their questions, or for those that have been a couple of times, what information would make their experience at the Latin Mass better next time.

Please, please no arguments or debates - I really just need this info to better serve the people that will be coming to our workshop.

Thank you~

JHow · Feb 8, 2012

I am a convert to Roman Catholic Church. I have never been to a TLM. I didn’t take Latin in High School. My question is: Is there a “cheat sheet” somewhere, so that I can follow along? How do I know is going on? Also, if the “sit-stand-kneel” routine is somehow different from the OF, how do I know when to do what?

FabiusMaximus · Feb 8, 2012

prettiefly said:
Our Latin Mass community has been asked by a local Shrine to put on a workshop for people interested learning more about the Traditional Latin Mass. I would like to put together a simple FAQ pamplet for them, so I need to know what kinds of basic questions people may have about the Latin Mass.

I didn’t put this thread in the Traditional Catholic section because most of them already know the Latin Mass - I need questions from people that have never been or have only been a few times.

I ask people to simply put their questions, or for those that have been a couple of times, what information would make their experience at the Latin Mass better next time.

Please, please no arguments or debates - I really just need this info to better serve the people that will be coming to our workshop.

Thank you~

I’m not a Roman Catholic, but I attended a Latin Mass for several weeks with a close friend. Then the church removed it because the priest was too weak. How I miss it!
Here’s a question

Why are some Masses with almost no words at all? What’s the point of a “low” Mass? Why aren’t they all “high” and “sung”?

Oldtimer_7 · Feb 8, 2012

In order to keep the pamphlet to a manageable length, you may have to produce two, one for Catholics new to the Latin Mass, and one for non-Catholics, who may have no liturgical background. Just consider the question, “Why do the Mass in Latin?” The answer would be quite different for the two groups. You might also want to try to pair those conversant with the Latin Mass with newcomers. I know it is always helpful to me, when I attend a service in another church, to have someone help me with the order of service.

LittleHannah · Feb 8, 2012

I go to Latin Mass every sunday and sing in the choir ]

JustaServant · Feb 8, 2012

There is nothing more beautiful than a Latin High Mass with full choir. I pray for the day when I can attend one here in the wilderness…

Elisabeth51 · Feb 8, 2012

Well, Why Mass in Latin? Is a good one—a friend and I recently had that discussion with someone that didn’t understand why we do the Ordinary in Latin (because the V2 docs state that the people should know their parts in Latin!).

Let’s see, I studied Latin and can follow the EF Mass, so I’m trying to think of questions I’ve been asked…

Kneeling at communion and other parts where standing is done “now”

Why does the priest face away from the people, he should face us “now” (my priest actually inserted that into a homily a couple weeks ago as to why it was so meaningful to be facing the same direction as the people rather than facing the people!)

Music! Why no hymns, what’s with the chant, etc…

Esrb99 · Feb 8, 2012

Emphasize (with photos or sketches various points in the mass where the priest’s gestures are noticeable-his fingers held together, the unveiling of the chalice, how many times the number three is used for incensing and bell ringing- and explain briefly the theological and symbolic impact of all these moments.

jonbhorton · Feb 8, 2012

promethius · Feb 8, 2012

Elisabeth51 said:
Why does the priest face away from the people, he should face us “now” (my priest actually inserted that into a homily a couple weeks ago as to why it was so meaningful to be facing the same direction as the people rather than facing the people!)

I hope your priest got it right and stated that the addition of ad orientem to the mass was to promote unity within the parish and reenforce the ideals of the “universal priesthood of believers”, and was carried out between the 6th and the 8th century.

Originally, mass was said versus populem with the priest facing the east and the people facing the west towards the priest (for reason that the priest should face the direction from which Jesus would return… a throwback to the passover tradition of “watching for the coming of Elijah”)… then somewhere between the 6th and 8th centuries, it became popular for the congregation to face the same direction as the priest… since this couldn’t be done without the congregation turning their backs on the eucharist, new construction of churches moved the altar from the west end of the church to the east (and, correspondingly, the entrances moved from the east to the west), and free standing altars, no longer necessary, were replaced.

It is common myth that ad orientem is the way that the original masses were said, or that the motivation is to symbolize that mass is offered to God, not the people. The motivation for both moving to ad orientem and more recently back to versus populem are the same: unity.

Newsy · Feb 8, 2012

I am a convert, I have never been to a TLM. Is there some head covering for women? How does one follow along in the missal? Is it similar to a Mass in OF?

Hoping to attend a TLM someday!

TexanKnight · Feb 8, 2012

i love the latin mass

jonbhorton · Feb 8, 2012

Newsy said:
I am a convert, I have never been to a TLM. Is there some head covering for women? How does one follow along in the missal? Is it similar to a Mass in OF?

Hoping to attend a TLM someday!

Most of the women wear a similar style head covering, though variations run the gamut. Everything from something the size of a coaster to elaborate headscarves that make you think a couple of mohammedan women are at Mass. It’s ultimately an expression of obedience to the words of St. Paul, and the practical-secular benefit is only obvious to anyone who has worn a keffiyeh or shamagh, though I rarely see women in headscarves outside church anymore unless they’re mohammedan. More of a change in fashion and culture than anything, as the precedent is much more historical than not for their wearing.
As such, this can take on a rather “traditional” appearance. The parish you find may or may not provide a loaner basket in the vestibule.

Missal is not necessary, particularly for taking in the High Mass. Without the ambient elements of the High Mass, I find the missal to be an enjoyable addition when worshiping at a Low Mass.

The parish you find may provide a basic missal for the parishioners, but the daily missal will likely have to be purchased unless they have a few loaners. Even if you don’t attend, the 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal is a goldmine in basic principles, catechesis, reminders of certain symbolism, a Latin reference tool, etc. It’s much more to the point than more modern phrasing. I’ve never had to guess what something meant when reading it. I like that.

JustaServant · Feb 9, 2012

JHow said:
I am a convert to Roman Catholic Church. I have never been to a TLM. I didn’t take Latin in High School. My question is: Is there a “cheat sheet” somewhere, so that I can follow along? How do I know is going on? Also, if the “sit-stand-kneel” routine is somehow different from the OF, how do I know when to do what?

Most TLM parishes provide parishioners with a booklet with both the english and the Latin. Some have ‘dialogue Mass’ in which the people can sing along with the choir the hymns and chants in Latin.
I will tell you once you have been to a Latin Mass, you will find a power in it that is indescribable. You will want more.
Which is perhaps why so many liberals oppose it…

Traditional Latin Mass

prettiefly

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promethius

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