wjp984:
I am only 21 but I have always wondered what the Latin Mass was like. Just from singing in a choir for a few years I learned most of the mass parts in Latin as there are some really nice versions of it. I probably actually prefer singing in Latin since it fits my voice more. I have heard some good things about the Latin mass so it probably would be interesting to try it out. Also the idea of a unifed mass around the world is a nice idea since it would be the same everywhere correct? However, if thy do revert back to it they shoud still offer the mass in English as well. I probably would take turns depending on my mood.
One question is how did you understand the readings. It’s hard enough nott o drift off during the mass as it is now. However if it is in a whole different language, it would be seem almost impossible to pay attention. I suppose it would make the homily all the more important and I would hope there would be an Enlgish translation available. On the other hand, did it make you pay attention even more attempting to try and piece it together and learn a little Latin while going (probably a good thing to know for many jobs anyways since there are so many Latin wors still in the English language). So to the person like me who has never expereinced it, what was it like?
Drift off in the Novus Ordo mass?? I don’t believe it!!! Don’t say that too loud, you know full and active participation and all that.
First thing it is completely different then the Novus Ordo mass.
There are several types of Traditional Masses, the High Mass, the Low mass and the Dialogue Mass being the most common. The High Mass was sung, had a lot of incense and was real pretty. The Low Mass was much more quiet, in fact you usually couldn’t hear a lot of what was going on and didn’t have any incense. The Dialogue Mass was a variation of the Low Mass generally where the congregation made the responses that the server made to the Priest.
The Traditional Mass was a lot more contemplative than the Novus Ordo. Most people used Missals which were printed with the English on the right hand side and Latin on the left. Everything was explained in them, all the movements, what the priest was doing, what you were to do, everything. The Priest moved from the center of the altar to the sides at specific intervals He faced the altar, and normally the Blessed Sacrament throughout, turning to the congregation at certain times, to make the readings, homily etc… Once you knew where he was supposed to be at a certain time, and what he was doing there it was very easy to follow.
The readings, well they weren’t called the readings then, they were called the Epistle and the Gospel were in Latin and usually would be translated, especially the Gospel. The homily was generally called the sermon and it was always in the vernacular.
The consecration was accompanied by the ringing of bells so everyone should have known what had occurred even if they had drifted off. Communion was received kneeling and on the tongue, although some did receive standing or sitting.
After the Priest said in Latin go you are dismissed, Ite Missa est and the people respond Thanks be to God, where the Novus Ordo now ends, there were still several prayers to be said, the beginning of the Gospel according to John, "In the beginning was the word “etc, 3 Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen, another prayer, I forget the name, the prayer to Holy Michael the Archangel and then the Litany , Most sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us” 3 times.
