A Catholic Rose: Basics of what to do, etc for Extraordinary Form / Latin Mass

2nd October 2011

Link reblogged from not a Canadian with 12 notes

A Catholic Rose: Basics of what to do, etc for Extraordinary Form / Latin Mass →

acatholicrose:

Disclaimer: I am not a priest or a sister or a nun, just a lay person who likes going to this Mass type.

I am sure others will add to this but this is a good start.

*Come dressed modestly. In my opinion and what I have seen, women should wear a modest dress or skirt that goes below the knees,…

BRING YOUR OWN COVER IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, LADIES.

I went to a TLM in July and I was the only girl without her head covered.

*If you are going for the first time, and/or are otherwise unsure about what to do, don’t worry about trying to catch every detail on what happens in the sanctuary. Translations/rubrics will be provided for you in a nice little red booklet. Remember, active participation in the Mass is first and foremost interior prayer. You don’t need to say anything out loud to participate in the Mass, even in an ordinary Mass.

*For that matter, I should probably warn you that there are no microphones at this Mass. Christians worshiped for thousands of years with out them, and it’s not the end of the world to not hear everything the ministers say at all times.

*The “opening rites” begin at the foot of the Altar. Since the priest is facing the altar, you might not be able to hear him. I find the best way to follow along is to watch the gestures the priest and the servers make. And there are a lot of them.

*At High Mass, where there are three main ministers, (the priest, the deacon, and the subdeacon) Sung Mass parts, and pretty much all the smells and bells, the choir and the ministers’ parts will be separated. So don’t be confused if the choir seems to be randomly singing while the ministers are doing something different. Just follow the priest and servers, just like at Low Mass.

*The practice of women wearing chapel veils is venerable, and encouraged in both forms of the Mass. However, it is not required. Though some chapels provide veils, nobody will judge you for not wearing them. So ladies, you have the option either way.

*Feel free to bring your noisy young children with you. Young families are a common sight at these Masses.

*Remember, the two forms of the Mass aren’t so different as they look. Many of the practices used in the Traditional Mass can and should be also practiced in the ordinary form. This includes modesty issues, gestures, e.t.c.

*Despite what caricatures people on the internet/ other news media draw, we aren’t actually angry backward judgmental people who want nothing to do with Vatican II. If you feel embarrassed or that people are watching because you are new, don’t be! Most of us were in the exact same position at one point, and we’re glad you can join us. Many people who attend this Mass feel the actions and words unequivocally convey Christ as the center and primary actor of our worship and our very lives, something that is easily covered up in the Ordinary Form. So we look not at each other, but towards Christ together.

Those are the ones at the top of my head.

For those of you who still have questions, concerns and whatnot, please feel free to ask me. If you know people who aren’t following me who are looking for answers and stuff, foward their questions to me.

Tagged: Latin Mass Extraordinary Form Traditional traditional catholic tridentine mass