What can I expect?

[damooster]

I am in the RCIA and have only been going to NO Mass since November. I never even heard of Tridentine Mass until I started lurking around these forums, and now I want to see what it’s like.

There’s a parish here in DC that has Tridentine Mass, and I want to attend a service, but I’m pretty intimidated by it. I have no idea what to expect.

Could someone give me a few pointers before I go this weekend? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. For example, do I need to go in shirt and tie? Most of the people that show up to Mass in my parish are wearing jeans and sneakers. I always were slacks and a sweater.

Thanks in advance.

 

[muffinmojo]

Dress nicely. Shirt and tie is good. =]

First, expect to feel ‘impersonal’ in the beginning. That’s not to say that it IS, it just may feel that way to someone unused to it.

Depending on where you go, it might seem like there is a lot of quiet talking and no music. That would be a Low Mass. However, in general there will be much more silence than you are used to. You won’t hear everything the priest says. What he will do is turn around and repeat several phrases, which are used to indicate where he is in the Mass to the people. ‘Dominus Vobiscum’, for example. Then you may or may not say the responses, depending on local custom.

If only the altar boys say the responses, don’t be weirded out.

Do what everyone else does. After Mass, stay around and talk if you can. They may seem ‘cold’, but most are very nice people.

When you go up for Communion, kneel and don’t say ‘Amen’. The priest will say a long phrase and make the sign of the cross over you with the Host.

Get a missal! Don’t be turned off by silence. Expect to feel boredom or your mind wandering at first, until you get used to it and start to feel the flow of it.

 

[ericka1701]

Also, look for… well for lack of a better term, a missalette. The ones that I have seen are small books of the ordinary prayers (the ones that don’t change from week to week) and a separate sheet with the propers (such as the prayers that can change and the scripture readings). They both usually have the Latin and English side by side. One thing I would suggest is try to absorb yourself in the experience and not to worry at all about getting all of the different elements of the Mass down pat. The first time I went, I only focused on learning when to sit, stand, and kneel. Breaking it down in small parts, but still praying as much as is possible, I feel, makes it much easier to learn in the long run. Also, the following website has helped me out greatly in learning the EF. There are videos of EF Masses that has subtitles of the title of the prayer being said. On the same page is the full prayer, in both Latin and English. I could go on and on, but needless to say, it has been a great resource for me.

sanctamissa.org/en/

God Bless!
Ericka

 

[I_Believe]

I am in the RCIA and have only been going to NO Mass since November. I never even heard of Tridentine Mass until I started lurking around these forums, and now I want to see what it’s like.

There’s a parish here in DC that has Tridentine Mass, and I want to attend a service, but I’m pretty intimidated by it. I have no idea what to expect.

Could someone give me a few pointers before I go this weekend? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. For example, do I need to go in shirt and tie? Most of the people that show up to Mass in my parish are wearing jeans and sneakers. I always were slacks and a sweater.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, the links on this thread will be of help. forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=297428

The site ericka1701 mentioned is a great place to start. You can take a virtual crash course on the Latin Mass at santamissa.

God Bless

 

[WhollyRoamin]

Here’s some free advice FWIW:

(1) Look the part. If you are a Mr. Mooster, iron a shirt, consider a tie. If you are a Miss/Mrs. Mooster, a dress or a skirt is appropriate. If you don’t own a chapel veil, don’t worry. No one is going to say anything to you. I don’t think they’ll kick you out if you’re wearing jeans, but it’s not really appropriate. This goes for Ordinary Mass too, by the way.

(2) I wouldn’t bother with a missal for the first couple times. Most parishes have a little red “Eccleisia Dei” booklet by the door; it’s a loaner-script that you can use. For your first TLM, you’re going to be so far lost that you’ll spend more time flipping in the book than praying along with the Mass that it’s really not worth it. Just go and trust that Father’s going to do it right.

(3) There’s no “sign of peace” that the congregation does… since you’re new to the Church, you probably know about the “SoP ambush” where all of a sudden, Mass becomes interactive. At the TLM, you can pray along with the Mass without any crazy interruptions.

(4) Sit in the middle, near the front. Close enough that you can really follow what’s going on; the TLM is subtle and quiet-- when you’re still learning it, get close enough to pay attention. But in the middle so you can pick out someone and just do what they do… but if you’re in RCIA, you’re probably pretty familiar with this technique. The first few rows are often families with children-- trads know that the first row is where you put the antsy kids so they have something to focus on besides the people in the pew in front of them. The back rows are often places where people with babies sit, so the parents can stand up with a restless baby if they need it. The old churches don’t have cry rooms, so the back rows can be kind of a distraction.

(5) If you’re a reader and you’ve got a little time to wait for shipping, there’s a good book about the old Mass here: angeluspress.org/oscatalog/item/8266/for-the-visitor-at-mass
I know it’s by the eeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil SSPX publishing house Angelus, but it’s a good book and a good book is a good book.

(6) Don’t worry, the homily isn’t in Latin.

(7) You probably won’t fall instantly in love with the TLM. That’s trad-hype. The TLM is something you learn and grow closer to-- like beer, coffee and in-laws (they’re all bitter at first). I started going to the TLM for archeological reasons (what did Mass look like?), then kept going for cultural, philosophical and theological reasons. I mean, it’s a beautiful Mass and all, but when people say that it doesn’t “click” with them, it’s because the TLM isn’t a “clicker” kind of deal.

(8) Believe it or not, not every parishoner has memorized every other parishoner. This is something that everyone thinks when they’re visiting a new church-- they feel like an infiltrator. If you’re like me and like to stay anonymous for a while, you’re safe. And no one’s watching you or judging your behavior-- except for the blue haired cranks, just about all us have been the newbies at the TLM and tried to figure it out for the first time. Don’t worry that someone’s staring.

(9) If you’re a reader and want the text ahead of time, Fisheaters is a good resource for this.
fisheaters.com/TLMinstructions.html
This may not help you at all, since it’s hard to picture it from the script, but some people like to know ahead of time.

(10) The “Catholic Calisthenics” is more intense than you’re used to (StandSitStandSitStandKneelStandKneelKneelKneelStandSit). It’s also probably longer than you’re used to-- I’m used to Ordinary Masses wrapping up in under an hour, usually about 45 minutes. The EF Mass can go for about an hour and a half. Depends somewhat on the priest. And when Father walks out after Mass, people kneel and pray after Mass for a few minutes, so don’t be surprised by that. It’s not uncommon to do a “Benediction” after Mass, which is a short series of prayers led by the priest… what I’m saying is that the TLM isn’t the easiest thing in the world if you’re used to a quickie service. I’m sure you’ll make it, Catholics worshipped this way for centuries and MOST of them didn’t die from it.

Enjoy your TLM! If you have any specific questions, fell free to PM me. :tiphat:

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Here’s some free advice FWIW:

(1) Look the part. If you are a Mr. Mooster, iron a shirt, consider a tie. If you are a Miss/Mrs. Mooster, a dress or a skirt is appropriate. If you don’t own a chapel veil, don’t worry. No one is going to say anything to you. I don’t think they’ll kick you out if you’re wearing jeans, but it’s not really appropriate. This goes for Ordinary Mass too, by the way.

Don’t get intimidated by the “pants” thing if you happen to be a lady. I have always worn nice dress pants to daily Mass and except for an eccentric “faux” nun no one has said a word.

 

[damooster]

Here’s some free advice FWIW:

(1) Look the part. If you are a Mr. Mooster, iron a shirt, consider a tie. If you are a Miss/Mrs. Mooster, a dress or a skirt is appropriate. If you don’t own a chapel veil, don’t worry. No one is going to say anything to you. I don’t think they’ll kick you out if you’re wearing jeans, but it’s not really appropriate. This goes for Ordinary Mass too, by the way.

(2) I wouldn’t bother with a missal for the first couple times. Most parishes have a little red “Eccleisia Dei” booklet by the door; it’s a loaner-script that you can use. For your first TLM, you’re going to be so far lost that you’ll spend more time flipping in the book than praying along with the Mass that it’s really not worth it. Just go and trust that Father’s going to do it right.

(3) There’s no “sign of peace” that the congregation does… since you’re new to the Church, you probably know about the “SoP ambush” where all of a sudden, Mass becomes interactive. At the TLM, you can pray along with the Mass without any crazy interruptions.

(4) Sit in the middle, near the front. Close enough that you can really follow what’s going on; the TLM is subtle and quiet-- when you’re still learning it, get close enough to pay attention. But in the middle so you can pick out someone and just do what they do… but if you’re in RCIA, you’re probably pretty familiar with this technique. The first few rows are often families with children-- trads know that the first row is where you put the antsy kids so they have something to focus on besides the people in the pew in front of them. The back rows are often places where people with babies sit, so the parents can stand up with a restless baby if they need it. The old churches don’t have cry rooms, so the back rows can be kind of a distraction.

(5) If you’re a reader and you’ve got a little time to wait for shipping, there’s a good book about the old Mass here: angeluspress.org/oscatalog/item/8266/for-the-visitor-at-mass
I know it’s by the eeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil SSPX publishing house Angelus, but it’s a good book and a good book is a good book.

(6) Don’t worry, the homily isn’t in Latin.

(7) You probably won’t fall instantly in love with the TLM. That’s trad-hype. The TLM is something you learn and grow closer to-- like beer, coffee and in-laws (they’re all bitter at first). I started going to the TLM for archeological reasons (what did Mass look like?), then kept going for cultural, philosophical and theological reasons. I mean, it’s a beautiful Mass and all, but when people say that it doesn’t “click” with them, it’s because the TLM isn’t a “clicker” kind of deal.

(8) Believe it or not, not every parishoner has memorized every other parishoner. This is something that everyone thinks when they’re visiting a new church-- they feel like an infiltrator. If you’re like me and like to stay anonymous for a while, you’re safe. And no one’s watching you or judging your behavior-- except for the blue haired cranks, just about all us have been the newbies at the TLM and tried to figure it out for the first time. Don’t worry that someone’s staring.

(9) If you’re a reader and want the text ahead of time, Fisheaters is a good resource for this.
fisheaters.com/TLMinstructions.html
This may not help you at all, since it’s hard to picture it from the script, but some people like to know ahead of time.

(10) The “Catholic Calisthenics” is more intense than you’re used to (StandSitStandSitStandKneelStandKneelKneelKneelStandSit). It’s also probably longer than you’re used to-- I’m used to Ordinary Masses wrapping up in under an hour, usually about 45 minutes. The EF Mass can go for about an hour and a half. Depends somewhat on the priest. And when Father walks out after Mass, people kneel and pray after Mass for a few minutes, so don’t be surprised by that. It’s not uncommon to do a “Benediction” after Mass, which is a short series of prayers led by the priest… what I’m saying is that the TLM isn’t the easiest thing in the world if you’re used to a quickie service. I’m sure you’ll make it, Catholics worshipped this way for centuries and MOST of them didn’t die from it.

Enjoy your TLM! If you have any specific questions, fell free to PM me. :tiphat:

Thanks for the great advice.

 

[damooster]

Don’t get intimidated by the “pants” thing if you happen to be a lady. I have always worn nice dress pants to daily Mass and except for an eccentric “faux” nun no one has said a word.

I’m a guy, so no dress for me. But I am kind of intimidated now; I understand the necessity to be conservative, but is everyone going to be watching my every move? I’m not talking about the dress part, just the whole newness part in general. For some reason, I’m getting this picture of people looking down on me for not being a regular or for not knowing what to do.

Like those old movies where the nuns go around slapping your wrists and stuff…makes me nervous!

 

[wewin08]

I’m a guy, so no dress for me. But I am kind of intimidated now; I understand the necessity to be conservative, but is everyone going to be watching my every move? I’m not talking about the dress part, just the whole newness part in general. For some reason, I’m getting this picture of people looking down on me for not being a regular or for not knowing what to do.

Like those old movies where the nuns go around slapping your wrists and stuff…makes me nervous!

No…no one will be looking at you. A lot of the time you’ll be kneeling anyway. Just do what everyone else does. All they do pretty much is stand, and kneel…and if there is a homily you’ll sit for that and the priest will read the readings in english at one point which you will sit for except for the Gospel when you will stand. But remember when he reads the Gospel it’s very casual. It’s not actually considered a part of the mass when he’s reading and speaking to you in english. But anyway, you will not make the crosses with you thumb over your head, lips, and heart. That’s just one thing. But don’t be intimidated by anything. Maybe just for this time when you go sit off to the side or in the back then when you feel comfortable enough you can participate more.

 

[Dauphin]

I’m a guy, so no dress for me. But I am kind of intimidated now; I understand the necessity to be conservative, but is everyone going to be watching my every move? I’m not talking about the dress part, just the whole newness part in general. For some reason, I’m getting this picture of people looking down on me for not being a regular or for not knowing what to do.

Like those old movies where the nuns go around slapping your wrists and stuff…makes me nervous!

Don’t be silly! I’m sure there will be plenty of people there relatively new to the Mass. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it. I made plenty of mistakes during my first TLM, including embarrassingly bobbing up and down during the Creed because I wasn’t sure when to kneel.

I’ve heard horror stories (like that woman who pretends to be a nun and accosts you after Mass for not dressing properly), but I’ve never actually encountered these horrible people at the TLM. I think it’s mostly a black legend.

If people are watching your every move and giving you the evil eye, they’re not being very good Catholics. In fact, my examination of conscience calls it a sin to be wilfully distracted during Mass. They should get back to praying the Mass.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I’m a guy, so no dress for me. But I am kind of intimidated now; I understand the necessity to be conservative, but is everyone going to be watching my every move? I’m not talking about the dress part, just the whole newness part in general. For some reason, I’m getting this picture of people looking down on me for not being a regular or for not knowing what to do.

Like those old movies where the nuns go around slapping your wrists and stuff…makes me nervous!

Oh, I don’t believe anyone will be looking down on you at all. I have never felt that way since I have been attending this oratory for almost 2 years. They are very warm and welcoming…and go the extra mile for folks who are new. I can promise you that no one will "slap your wrist.