What happens at a Tridentine Mass?

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I’ve only been to the Novus Ordo, but I’d be really interested in attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form to see what it’s like. 😊
 
I’ve only been to the Novus Ordo, but I’d be really interested in attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form to see what it’s like. 😊
In the TLM, you don’t make the responses, the altar server does. You just observe. The priest’s back is turned to you, and the Mass is entirely in Latin. I can’t explain it all. You just have to experience it.
 
I’ve only been to the Novus Ordo, but I’d be really interested in attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form to see what it’s like. 😊
The Tridentine Mass is, in essence, the same as the mass you are used to, only with more rubrics (which were removed in the new mass), it is normally done ad orientem (facing the altar), it is usually in Latin, though it can be done in the vernacular, and the music used is usually Gregorian chant and polyphony.

A Low Mass will generally have little or no music, and much of it is silent. This is difficult to take in the first time, so if you ever do attend a Tridentine mass, I’d suggest finding a “High Mass.” The Low Mass is much more meaningful to people who are familiar with the mass parts and can follow the entire mass without difficulty.

A High Mass (which is a general loose term for a variety of different mass types, including, but not limited to, Missa Cantata, Solemn High Mass, Pontifical High Mass, etc.) has music for the entire Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo etc.) and Propers (Introit, Gradual, Alleluia etc.) There are often also chant motets or polyphony motets sung at the appropriate times. Multiple servers, depending on the solemnity of the mass, are used, and incense is almost always used. A High Mass can be a truly impressive and uplifting experience.

Hope that little tidbit was helpful. 🙂
 
In the TLM, you don’t make the responses, the altar server does. You just observe. The priest’s back is turned to you, and the Mass is entirely in Latin. I can’t explain it all. You just have to experience it.
Actually, no, certain responses can be made by the faithful in both the Low and High Masses. Not the prayers at the foot of the altar, but certain other responses.

Also, at High Masses, the faithful are entitled to sing the Ordinary.
 
The Tridentine Mass … is usually in Latin, though it can be done in the vernacular
Incorrect. The TLM can only be done in Latin. The NO, however, can be done either in the vernacular or Latin.
 
Incorrect. The TLM can only be done in Latin. The NO, however, can be done either in the vernacular or Latin.
I have heard of certain places where it is done in the vernacular; whether this is licit or not is somewhat irrelevant to the question of whether or not it occurs at all.
 
Interesting, I’ve never heard of that (other than “Western Rite Orthodox”)
It is interesting indeed.

As I said, however, I have “heard of” such things, but do not know of such places in my direct experience. Thus, I do not know the validity of the statement.

Not knowing, I cannot say with absolute certainty that it is never done in the vernacular, nor can I say the opposite.

EDIT: I will amend my statement. I have reasonable belief that such a thing is done (from where I have heard it) in certain places, so I say that there is reason to believe it exists. I cannot say with certainty, though, one way or another.

I should probably just do some research to relieve myself of my ignorance. 😛
 
i have a question pertaining to this topic and since this is already a new thread i won’t bother starting another one. i understand having the prayers in latin since it doesn’t really matter which language they’re in, god understands them anyways, but why the scripture readings in latin? aren’t those more for the edificaiton of the faithful?
 
i have a question pertaining to this topic and since this is already a new thread i won’t bother starting another one. i understand having the prayers in latin since it doesn’t really matter which language they’re in, god understands them anyways, but why the scripture readings in latin? aren’t those more for the edificaiton of the faithful?
Good question.

Latin is the universal language of the Church, so the primary reason for having the mass in Latin at all is for unity. I can go to Europe and not know any language spoken there, but go to a Tridentine mass and feel completely at home.

Besides, it is not like the words of the liturgy are hidden from the faithful. It is very easy to obtain a missal containing all the reading and mass parts for every day in the year.
 
i have a question pertaining to this topic and since this is already a new thread i won’t bother starting another one. i understand having the prayers in latin since it doesn’t really matter which language they’re in, god understands them anyways, but why the scripture readings in latin? aren’t those more for the edificaiton of the faithful?
Allowing for the Gregorian Chant would be my guess. Oh, those beautiful Introits, Graduals, etc. And those are easy Latin.
 
Actually, no, certain responses can be made by the faithful in both the Low and High Masses. Not the prayers at the foot of the altar, but certain other responses.

Also, at High Masses, the faithful are entitled to sing the Ordinary.
Yes, but he may not be sure whether it is a Dialogue Mass or not. It might be good to check to see if it is a Dialogue Mass.
 
i have a question pertaining to this topic and since this is already a new thread i won’t bother starting another one. i understand having the prayers in latin since it doesn’t really matter which language they’re in, god understands them anyways, but why the scripture readings in latin? aren’t those more for the edificaiton of the faithful?
It is the normal practice these days for one of two things to happen. The Priest will read the Epistle and Gospel, only two readings in the Extraordinary Form, and either a second Priest or Deacon if available will simutaneously read them in the vernacular. The other way is that the Priests reads them in Latin first then re-reads them in the vernacular. A third less common way I’ve seen is that the Priests read them in the vernacular at the Altar.

I don’t think there uis a right or a wrong way to do it, but in every Extraordinary Form Mass I have been to since the issuance of the indult in 1983, it has been done in one of those three ways.
 
I’ve only been to the Novus Ordo, but I’d be really interested in attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form to see what it’s like. 😊
Hi Saint_wannabe
I wonder if there is one in your area?
The FSSP has churches in Canada (and the vast majority of Canadians live quite close to the border-perhaps you are able to come down for a visit tp a FSSP parish in the States?).

I’m posting a FSSP link with Mass locations below. May God bless you and may you grow ever closer to Him. Amen.

fssp.com/press/locations/
 
It is the mass that a majority of the Catholic saints attended. There are some similarities to the modern catholic mass, and a few differences, such as most of it is in Latin and the priest faces away from you for a lot of the mass. In America, the people at the Latin mass dress in more formal attire than the those who attend the novus ordo, generally speaking (e.g., it would be inappropriate to attend a trad mass in denim or shorts).
 
i have a question pertaining to this topic and since this is already a new thread i won’t bother starting another one. i understand having the prayers in latin since it doesn’t really matter which language they’re in, god understands them anyways, but why the scripture readings in latin? aren’t those more for the edificaiton of the faithful?
Good question. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI talked about this in his moto propio on the Tridentine Mass. His decision (you can read it there, it’s called Summorum Pontificum) was that the Epistle and Gospel could be read in English during the liturgy for the reasons you suggested.

I haven’t seen this excercised, but it’s allowed.
 
Good question. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI talked about this in his moto propio on the Tridentine Mass. His decision (you can read it there, it’s called Summorum Pontificum) was that the Epistle and Gospel could be read in English during the liturgy for the reasons you suggested.

I haven’t seen this excercised, but it’s allowed.
The document which clarified SP specifically mentions the Low Mass (Missa Lecta) where this is allowed.
 
I haven’t been to an EF Mass where the readings weren’t done in English prior to the homily (after doing them in Latin). However, I’ve never seen it done in place of the Latin.

On a side note, the one thing that I would like to see updated is the Liturgical Calendar to be in sync with the OF.

Also, it’s interesting to note that I typically hear the altar servers saying the Confiteor prior to receiving Communion, but as far as I know, that practice was done away with in the 1962 Missal.
 
Also, it’s interesting to note that I typically hear the altar servers saying the Confiteor prior to receiving Communion, but as far as I know, that practice was done away with in the 1962 Missal.
It was removed, you are correct, but it is still an option for the servers to say the Confiteor right before receiving, so some parishes have them do it.
 
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