Young People: What does TLM do for you?

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WaldMissionar

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Salvete! I’m a college student, and I’ve been praying the Latin Mass since the beginning of this semester. I still like going to the post-Vatican-II mass, but I have been going more and more to Latin Mass. I have my reasons for going, but I’m interested in what draws other young people to TLM.
Thanks.👍
 
The imagery of sacrifice. I’ve been caught up, and still struggle with getting away from the party aspect of university life - the message of sacrifice helps me to give up this sinful, albeit fun and pleasurable lifestyle. It also reminds me that it is because of my sins that Christ died, and being pulled into Calvary through the solemnity and prayers of the mass, I realize this most fully.

But most of all, it’s the solemnity. The Classical mass is the highlight of my week, all the formalities, all the prayers, blessings … “the smells and bells” if you will, do an excellent job of separating this event from the rest of my mundane life. Everything from the Latin, to the priestly garb, brings about a strong sense of other-worldliness that I can’t find anywhere else. When I enter into the prayers of the mass, for me, it as if I am truly entering the liturgy of heaven. In other words, it helps me to realize the mystery that is before me.

I go to mass to be reminded of Christ’s sacrifice, my own mortality, and the promise of heaven. Nothing better communicates this to me, then the mass of all ages.
 
WaldMissionar said:
Salvete! I’m a college student, and I’ve been praying the Latin Mass since the beginning of this semester. I still like going to the post-Vatican-II mass, but I have been going more and more to Latin Mass. I have my reasons for going, but I’m interested in what draws other young people to TLM.
Thanks.👍
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I’m old enough to be your grandfather, but still, inquiring minds want to know:
(1) by "Latin Mass: do you mean the EF? (The OF can be, and is sometimes, done in Latin.)
(2) if it is the EF, what is your motivation to assist at it?
 
WaldMissionar said:
Salvete! I’m a college student, and I’ve been praying the Latin Mass since the beginning of this semester. I still like going to the post-Vatican-II mass, but I have been going more and more to Latin Mass. I have my reasons for going, but I’m interested in what draws other young people to TLM.
Thanks.👍
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Ditto to what Freshman88 said.

I go because my parents went (at one time), and my grandparents went. It’s the Mass of the Ages, and of the Saints. It expresses Catholic teaching far better (or so I’ve been told). It takes me away, and brings me to the threshold of Heaven. Someone once said it’s the “most beautiful thing this side of Heaven”. I agree. In this world, now especially, we need TRUE beauty. I feel the EF is the only form that consistently give us that.

Plus, it wasn’t made in a committee. 😉
 
BayernAnhaenger said:
I go because my parents went (at one time), and my grandparents went. It’s the Mass of the Ages, and of the Saints. It expresses Catholic teaching far better (or so I’ve been told). It takes me away, and brings me to the threshold of Heaven. Someone once said it’s the “most beautiful thing this side of Heaven”. I agree. In this world, now especially, we need TRUE beauty. I feel the EF is the only form that consistently give us that.
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Ditto to what you’ve added. Knowing that for centuries saints have prayed this form of the mass is nothing other than amazing. Would those saints have recognized the OF? I honestly wonder.
Plus, it wasn’t made in a committee. 😉
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Ah, organic growth :).
 
Freshman88 said:
Ditto to what you’ve added. Knowing that for centuries saints have prayed this form of the mass is nothing other than amazing. Would those saints have recognized the OF? I honestly wonder.

Ah, organic growth :).
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True that.

Oh, I also forgot to mention the Latin-quality.

I can understand the EF faaaaaar better in Germany than I can the OF (well… once you remove all the abuses and typical “liberal” OF Mass additions). Plus, it reinforces that whole “universality” business of the Mass. Me, a bunch of Germans, and some Hispanic people all worshiping in one tongue.
 
BayernAnhaenger said:
True that.

Oh, I also forgot to mention the Latin-quality.

I can understand the EF faaaaaar better in Germany than I can the OF (well… once you remove all the abuses and typical “liberal” OF Mass additions). Plus, it reinforces that whole “universality” business of the Mass. Me, a bunch of Germans, and some Hispanic people all worshiping in one tongue.
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The EF parish I go to is French speaking. Father tries to give part of the homily in English, but I’d rather he not since he has a really thick Qubecois accent, coupled with some kind of speech impediment.

Anyway, if it wasn’t for Latin I wouldn’t know what’s going on. It’s really awesome now that I think about it. French speaking and English speaking Canadians being brought together under Latin because of their love of the Extraordinary form.
 
Freshman88 said:
The EF parish I go to is French speaking. Father tries to give part of the homily in English, but I’d rather he not since he has a really thick Qubecois accent, coupled with some kind of speech impediment.

Anyway, if it wasn’t for Latin I wouldn’t know what’s going on. It’s really awesome now that I think about it. French speaking and English speaking Canadians being brought together under Latin because of their love of the Extraordinary form.
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French? Oh… I’m sorry. 😉 ! The priest at the parish (or, rather oratory) I go to is French (from Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest). I find his accent humorous. But maybe that’s just my 'Merican impression of things, haha.

And, yeah, it’s amazing how different groups can be brought together under Latin. Especially since most, if not all, languages spoken on our beautiful continent relate (somehow) back to Latin.
 
Many reasons inclduing theological, the sacrificial imagery, and the idea that it enforces, that ‘HEY this a BIG deal people’. Also, it struck me one time on youtube when i saw videos of the EF from China, the Philippines, somewhere in Eastern Europe( I think Latvia or some such place), and Poland, and all of them made just as much sense as the one from the FSSP guy in my city. To think that I could go to a church in China, be completely bewildered by trying to have a simple conversation with people, fumbling around with my phrasebook, but be able to pray with them and experience God in a unique way, to be at home and comfortable thousands of miles away, is an awesome thing.
 
I attend the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for the following reasons:


  1. *]The ancient prayers perfectly express Catholic doctrine, and help us realise the great importance of the Mass.
    *]The great reverence shown to the Eucharist affirms my belief in the Real Presence. It reminds me that Christ is truly present among us.
    *]The quiet moments allow me to meditate deeply on the passion of the Lord. It allows for a prayerful participation, where I can unite my prayers with those of the priest more fully.
    *]The Latin language adds solemnity to the Mass and makes me feel connected to the Church triumphant.
    *]The beautiful Latin Chants create an ambience of sacredness and holiness, which creates a perfect atmosphere for prayer and contemplation.
    *]My mind is 100% focused on the Sacrifice that is taking place at the altar. My mind is not focused on what the priest is doing, what the congregation is doing, and responses do not clutter my mind. I am able to spend the entire Mass in prayerful silence.
    *]Lastly, I am participating in the Mass of All Time, the Mass that nourished the Saints for millennia. I feel very connected to the Saints, and my ancestors while at the Mass.
 
I definately agree with what everyone else has said.

I converted to the Catholic Church (originally through the OF) a little over 7 years ago. My research on what Catholics believed and did at Mass was simply completely different from what I witnessed at my local parish. I had researched the Church long before venturing to actually go to Mass, and when I finally went, I was so confused-- I thought I was still at my old faith community.

I was completely baffled to find out that many of the parishioners did not even believe in the Real Presence (and I don’t doubt why-- there was no reverence at the Mass, no sermons about Our Lord’s Presence, no mention of Him during RCIA), when the Real Presence was my entire reason for converting and even for living!

I eventually found my way to the TLM when I was and realized that this was the Catholicism I had been reading about and longing for. I am so thankful for the few dedicated priests who serve us.

I’m currently 21 and was 15 when I first attended the TLM and 16 when I decided to attend for good.
 
JPUSC said:
It makes me feel like I’m actually at a Catholic church.
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I second that. Being 25 I grew up in a “church” (sometimes also referred to as the “community”) that had carpets, tables & chairs, pop music and no crucefixes, no images of saints or even depictions of Christ. When I enter a TLM Parish I actually feel Catholic.

That is not to say that there no good N.O. Parishes, but over here in Belgium in many places we really got hit with the pitch black heresies of the Schillebeeckx-clan.
 
maria2334 said:
I definately agree with what everyone else has said.

I converted to the Catholic Church (originally through the OF) a little over 7 years ago. My research on what Catholics believed and did at Mass was simply completely different from what I witnessed at my local parish. I had researched the Church long before venturing to actually go to Mass, and when I finally went, I was so confused-- I thought I was still at my old faith community.

I was completely baffled to find out that many of the parishioners did not even believe in the Real Presence (and I don’t doubt why-- there was no reverence at the Mass, no sermons about Our Lord’s Presence, no mention of Him during RCIA), when the Real Presence was my entire reason for converting and even for living!

I eventually found my way to the TLM when I was and realized that this was the Catholicism I had been reading about and longing for. I am so thankful for the few dedicated priests who serve us.

I’m currently 21 and was 15 when I first attended the TLM and 16 when I decided to attend for good.
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That is a beautiful story Maria!

I have a rather sad story. I have a non-denominational friend who had a growing interest in the Church so he went to Mass with me. Thing is, it was a LifeTeen type Mass and I thought that would make him feel more comfortable. This was before the Moto Propio, by the way.

After that experience, he never brought up the issue of joining the Church again. He said it wasn’t what he had expected at a Catholic Church and was expecting something more traditional.

This coming from a laid back guy who I share a few drinks with and who used to make Catholic jokes!

Honestly, the only people I see who look the most enthusiastic at LifeTeen type Masses are those with greying heads. In one parish, the LifeTeen Band was made up entirely of members who were or seemed like they were over 60. No offense to older people, but I think this style of Mass appeals more to a certain generation.
 
BayernAnhaenger said:
True that.

Oh, I also forgot to mention the Latin-quality.

I can understand the EF faaaaaar better in Germany than I can the OF (well… once you remove all the abuses and typical “liberal” OF Mass additions). Plus, it reinforces that whole “universality” business of the Mass. Me, a bunch of Germans, and some Hispanic people all worshiping in one tongue.
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It sounds like the young generation “gets it”. Once the old 1960’s hippie generation dies off maybe the young generation will be able to bring some sanity back into the Church.
 
To me, the TLM is the mass of the saints. It makes me feel connected to the people who lived centuries, millennia, before me. It makes me feel a part of something older and bigger than me, something grand and eternal. It is also somewhat less me-focused than the new Mass is, which I like.
 
As a young person, I attend the Traditional Latin Mass principally because it facilitates a genuine encounter with the mystery of the Eucharist which I have never experienced anywhere else.

The doctrinal exactitude and orthodoxy of the prayers, the reverence and beauty of the liturgy, the sacred language set apart from everyday speech, the moments of solemn and profound silence, and the hallowed nature of the liturgical actions, all contribute to an awe-inspiring and prayerful experience.
 
Certainty, exactitude, Tradition, the undeniable Catholic-ness of it, the connection with my ancestors, the no-nonsense feel, the universality of Latin, the beauty, the ceremony, the attempt to surround the most perfect Sacrifice ever offered to God in our best and highest efforts on Earth.

These are sometimes lacking at the OF Masses.
 
It is THE MASS. When the saints discuss the mass or when past popes mention the sacrifice, they are talking about the Extraordinary (Ordinary to them of course) Form. It is the liturgy the Church carried with Her since Pope Gregory great essentially, and it will be carried by Her all the way to the new Jerusalem. I love the reverence, chant, ad orientem, you name it. If its TLM, i love it.
 
Brian777 said:
It is THE MASS. When the saints discuss the mass or when past popes mention the sacrifice, they are talking about the Extraordinary (Ordinary to them of course) Form. It is the liturgy the Church carried with Her since Pope Gregory great essentially, and it will be carried by Her all the way to the new Jerusalem. I love the reverence, chant, ad orientem, you name it. If its TLM, i love it.
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True. It is the Mass that has nourished countless saints and martyrs. When attending, I truly feel that I am grounded in the history of the Church. Also, my family converted to Catholicism a few generations ago. It was this Mass that most of my family grew up with. I am only the second generation after V2.
 
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