New to Latin Mass?

If you’re new to the Traditional Latin Mass even if everyone around you is silent, be assured that they are glad you are there.  You might be lost at first, but like many of us, you’ll become more familiar over time.

At first don’t be anxious or worry about any of the postures or gestures.  Just relax and focus more broadly on what is going on at the altar.  You can fully participate by simply uniting your prayers with the priest offering to the Holy Sacrifice at the altar.  Follow along with others as best that you can and don’t worry if you miss something.

Language

The priest prays the Mass in Latin, the official language of the Roman Catholic Church.  Some Masses offer booklets that contains the prayers of the Mass in both Latin and English to assist you as you pray the Mass. The priest will always preach the homily in English.

Priest faces the altar

The priest faces the tabernacle and the altar as he offers the Mass. In this manner, the priest and congregation face the altar together and unite their prayers during Mass.

Meme

Silence

People are quiet as they come into the church to show reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and to prepare themselves for Mass. Silence allows us to reflect upon our relationship with God and allows Him to speak to us. You will also notice periods of silence throughout the Mass where the priest is silently praying.

Following along with the Mass

Many of the faithful eventually purchase their own complete missals that contain all the texts for the Mass, including the Epistles and Gospels for the entire year.

Postures

If you are unsure when to stand, sit or kneel, you can just follow the cues of the others around you.

Responses

The most important form of participation while at Mass is interior prayer. For this reason, the altar servers make the responses to the priest, rather than the congregation. During a High Mass, some of the responses may be sung by the congregation.

After Mass

Those who wish to socialize should do so outside or in the Parish Hall to respect those still in prayer after Mass.

Communion

At the traditional Latin Mass, one receives Holy Communion while kneeling (if capable) at the altar rail. The Host is received on the tongue, not in the hands. Additionally, one does not respond “Amen” to the priest; he will say it for you. The Roman Catholic Church permits baptized Catholics who are in a state of grace to receive Communion. By “state of grace” is meant those who are not conscious of any grave sin which has yet to be absolved by sacramental confession.

Attire

When we come to Mass we are in the presence of the King of Kings, and therefore we should dress accordingly.  Think about it, if you were invited to formal royal banquet at the palace with an earthly king, what would you wear? Why do we dress less for this royal banquet for the King of Kings?

Out of respect for Our Lord and mutual edification, men and women should dress with modesty and dignity.  Ladies, according to apostolic custom, it is proper to have their heads covered in Church with either a hat or chapel veil.  Chapel veils should be available in the church vestibule for those who don’t have one.  Dresses or skirts are the proper attire for Mass, and these should be to the mid calf (even if one is wearing stockings or leggings).  Slacks or trousers do not meet the norms of Christian modesty for ladies, nor do dresses/blouses that are sleeveless or low cut.

For Gentlemen, a coat and tie are most proper (jeans, t-shirts, and shorts are not appropriate attire for Church).