Understanding The Tridentine Mass?

[John Ryan]

So, I have decided that in the near future I should like to attend an Extraordinary Mass. I cannot speak Latin and since I am in the process of learning Mandarin I am not in the position to learn Latin at the moment. My question is if there are any good resources for learning the central parts of the Latin Mass? In the Mass of Paul VI, for example, the Eucharistic Prayer is pretty much the same every time it is proclaimed. I am not opposed to memorizing some of the most important phrases or chants in Latin.

[puellapaschalis]

In the beginning, for me at least, the best way was not to pay much attention to these words and those words and what I was 'supposed' to be doing (the congregation does have a part, and its their right to join in, but their participation is guaranteed by the altar servers so if you lose your spot it's not a problem). I recommend you just go, perhaps with a Missal or something to follow the Epistle and Gospel, and simply go with the flow. There's plenty of time to learn the words, but first go and experience it for what it is.

 

(I say this as a person who plans out and roadmaps everything....)

[puellapaschalis]

But having said that, there are lots of resources on the intarwebz to help. Sancta Missa is just one.

[chrysostom]

Whenever I have assisted at the T L M the church has handed out a little red booklet missal with the ordinary of the Mass with Latin on one page and English on the other.  It also has indications and little side illustrations to explain what is going on and to help one follow the actions of the priest.  If you want to have a physical copy at home (puelllapaschalis mentioned sanctamissa but I prefer to have something to keep with me) you can order this booklet at the Ecclesia Dei website.

 

Also, if it is during a sung Mass I think it is a little easier to "go with the flow" if you don't have any missal with you.  During a Low Mass it depends on the church - whether you can hear the priest or not - and if you can't hear you might get a little lost.  I appreciate the little red missal booklet especially for those illustrations because that helps you know exactly where the priest is in the Mass even if you are far away in the back of the church.

 

But I would also heartily recommend following the advice of St. Pio:  "In your mind's eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption."  In that way, no matter how unfamiliar you are with the details of the EF Mass you can actively participate and give glory to God.

Edited August 21, 2014 by chrysostom

[ChristinaTherese]

I'd expect that you could find missals or at least booklets containing the ordinary in the entry way to the church to help you out. You might want to look up and read the readings before hand, especially since if there is only the ordinary in the back it won't have the readings and they might not have decided to provide them. (And, of course, there is the possibility that you won't find any aids in the back. That hasn't been my experience in the two places I've been, but it's possible.)

[Credo in Deum]

I'm excited for you John.

Here is a great site that will give the ordinary of the Mass. This for the most part will never change.

http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/tutorial/ordo-missae-0.html

Here is another great site which will give you the Kyriale. This will include the different Psalm tones for the Kryrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus.

http://www.ccwatershed.org/kyriale/

Here is the link for the prospers, however, for now I would just mainly focus on the Ordinary of the Mass.

http://www.ccwatershed.org/goupil/

[John Ryan]

Do not get too excited. I am still too far left to be a traditionalist. Sometimes I feel like I am not getting enough beauty and sacredness out of the Mass of Paul VI, though. It depends on how well the Novus Ordo is performed. I feel like the Latin rite may provide that extra sacred space for me to communion with God. Thanks for all the links and the suggestion for a hard copy of the ordinary Mass. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. 

 

Now I just need to the strength (been suffering from illness for the last month) to get to a Latin Mass. Deo volente.

Edited August 21, 2014 by John Ryan

[puellapaschalis]

Heh, being a trad is by no means a pre-requisite for going to, appreciating, and understanding the Trid (I....might be speaking from personal, bitter, hard-fought experience :detective: ).

[PhuturePriest]

Heh, being a trad is by no means a pre-requisite for going to, appreciating, and understanding the Trid (I....might be speaking from personal, bitter, hard-fought experience :detective: ).

 

Care to expound?

[veritasluxmea]

They will have a little book or piece of paper at the mass for you to follow along, especially if you go to one on Sunday. Actually, you don't really need to verbally follow along. Most of it is singing and the priest praying alone, often silently. You only say a few brief responses here and there and there's no response after receiving communion. 

[brandelynmarie]

I consider myself omni-ritual. If Jesus is there, I'm there :blush:.

[Nihil Obstat]

I consider myself omni-ritual. If Jesus is there, I'm there :blush:.

So Orthodox, sedevacantist, Polish National, all ok? ;)

[puellapaschalis]

Care to expound?

 

Not really, not least because I don't wish to hijack.

 

But very briefly:

I was a 'conservative', loved Latin, but resisted the notion of ad orientem and the Trid vehemently. I mean really quite violently. I used pretty nasty language.

First time at a Trid: nada. Felt excluded. Angry. &c.

Second time: conversion to the Tridentine liturgy.

Following months/years: 'conversion' to a more traditonal standpoint on just about everything.

It has been (and is still) rather painful and has cost me much, both materially and emotionally. But I would not go back.

Edited August 21, 2014 by puellapaschalis

[Ancilla Domini]

...but resisted the notion of ad orientem...vehemently

 

Would you mind elaborating?

Edited August 22, 2014 by Ancilla Domini

[John Ryan]

Not really, not least because I don't wish to hijack.

 

But very briefly:

I was a 'conservative', loved Latin, but resisted the notion of ad orientem and the Trid vehemently. I mean really quite violently. I used pretty nasty language.

First time at a Trid: nada. Felt excluded. Angry. &c.

Second time: conversion to the Tridentine liturgy.

Following months/years: 'conversion' to a more traditonal standpoint on just about everything.

It has been (and is still) rather painful and has cost me much, both materially and emotionally. But I would not go back.

 

My vantage-point has always been different. From the first moment I learned about it I have loved the ad orientem. Such should not be misconstrued as a condemnation of ad populum. There is a certain majesty to the ad orientem and a certain fraternal spirit to the ad populum. I am not afraid of feeling excluded in the Latin Mass either. The submissive attitude of the Tridentine on the part of the laity can be augustly solemn. 

 

The peculiar thing about me is that I am basically an admixture of leftism and traditionalism. So, for example, I am comfortable with gay couples adopting. Kids need to be adopted and part of me believes that a τέλος of homosexual unions is to soak up the reservoir of children discarded from heterosexual unions. However, I rather reject in vitro fertilization, sperm banks and all that. I think it is tragic at how effortlessly our liberal order destroys the biological being of the father or the mother.