yesterday, my church group decided to take in a local tridentine mass, for educational purposes and general interest. I’d personally never been to one before; St Johns had a latin mass but it was just mass…in latin. I am now well aware of the differences. Paul hadn’t seen it before either, and is now (if he wasn’t already) a fervent proponent of Vatican II and the big change (understanding why people became baptist was mentioned).
it was a low mass, which apparently was unfortunate as there was no singing or anything (like sound). it didn’t really bug me, mostly because they provided a handy booklet with pictures so that even though we couldn’t hear anything the priest was saying I could follow along and I could tell where we were in the mass (wait until he bows over the altar, ok it’s time for the next prayer). I think it would be easier with practice, as most things are. mostly I wanted to make sure I was following along so that I didn’t miss any big thing, like when to kneel or stand or go up for communion. once I knew what was coming I could relax and just pray and let it happen, I think. I’m also pretty darn glad that I never had to be a server for a tridentine mass, as I could hardly remember what to do in the modern mass and all that kneeling and bowing and moving the book from one side of the altar to another would have been disastrous (I’m sure I have a new respect for my dad). it was very quiet, apart from the people frantically turning pages in the little books trying to find where exactly we were in the mass and the bells, which really ARE necessary for the consecration of gifts because you seriously could miss the whole thing if they weren’t rung.
after mass we were hanging out outside chatting about the whole thing and people kept coming up to us and introducing themselves and asking who we were and inviting us back, which I do like in a church. very hospitable. I think our group was particularly noticable due to our size, as the congregation in that church is rather small and we, being 10, fully filled a couple of pews. there were a few families with small children and some nuns. a seminarian for the diocese also came over and talked to us, he was totally pumped about the tridentine mass, talking about how that’s the mass that most of the saints would have participated in and how beautiful the high mass is and such. I do think what they’re doing in that parish is cool, building up a community around the latin mass. I think they were a bit bummed that we weren’t automatically signing up to be regular members.
anyway, the verdict is that I enjoyed the experience, I’d go back every once in a while if it was convenient but I wouldn’t want to attend regularly because it’s easier for me to concentrate if I have to participate and I get more out of the readings when I can hear/understand them. but it is good to know our history, where we come from, why we do things, etc.
Your blog came to me through a Google Alert.
Welcome to the Tridentine Mass (Traditional Latin Mass)!
I thought I’d make mention that I am learning how to be very involved in participation at the Tridentine Mass (Traditional Latin Mass). The participation is of the interior kind: relating directly to God by searching our souls for our faults, confessing them to God, offering our entire self in union with our Lord’s awesome sacrifice on Calvary, and preparing our hearts and souls for the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The participation is very personal, very real, very intimate, and very much a part of the Tridentine Mass. This interior participation takes much practice to perfect (I am still working at it after 10 years of attending the TLM weekly), and it is the same participation we are to have at the Novus Ordo; however, I find I am able to achieve a deeper reverence at the Tridentine.
I hope you try the TLM again — for us it isn’t the most convenient, but it is the most rewarding.
Yes, I remember those days fondly. Even though I was a lousy alter boy and faked a lot of the latin (like the confiteor-fortunately we were bowed down while kneeling when we said it). If you’ll remember, a few Christmases ago your mom gave me a pre-vatican II St. Joseph Missal. Nostalgia in a big little book. It was a different experience as the ceremony was the prayer, not the words. I’d like to do one sometime.
well, the next time we’re in cincinnati on a sunday (whenever that will be) I’ll take you down there. though there might be ones in kansas city too, and you’re more likely to go there, obviously.