The Community for Catholic Moms

Extraordinary Catholics

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A group for those who follow the beautiful traditional Latin Mass. This is the Mass which has now been coined "The Extraordinary Form of the Mass" by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical "Muto Propio"

Location: Web based
Members: 20
Latest Activity: Mar 2

FAQ:

1. Is this Rite of the Mass permitted by the Pope?
When Pope Paul VI introduced his New Rite of Mass in 1969 he gave permission for the continuation of the Tridentine Rite in England and Wales, for example. Many priests were accorded the right to continue celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass, as well, and then, in 1984 Pope John Paul extended that permission to the whole world. In 1988 the Pontiff asked the Bishops to be generous in the application of the permission.

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged that every priest has a right to offer this form of the Mass, which he calls the Extraordinary Form.

2. In the Traditional Latin Mass, do the people sing or say the prayers with the priest?
Just as in the celebration of the Mass in the Ordinary Form (post-Vatican II Mass), the priest alone will recite many of the prayers of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (1962 Missale Romanum). At a High Mass where the choir sings the Ordinary (unchanging) and Proper (changing) chants, the people are encouraged to sing the responses (i.e. Amen, Et cum spiritu tuo, Dignum et justum est, etc.), and if possible, the Ordinary (i.e. Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei). At a Low Mass the people can sing hymns along with the choir. At a special form of the Low Mass called the Dialogue Mass, which is celebrated in some places, the people may also recite some of the responses with the altar boys.

A newcomer to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass will notice that at a High Mass, the choir often sings while the priest is quietly praying at the altar. Because it typically takes the choir a longer time to sing its part than it takes for the priest to say his part, the two will overlap.

3. Does the Traditional Latin Mass fulfill the Sunday obligation?
Of course! - as it has for nearly twenty centuries.

4. Why does the priest not face the people for most of the Traditional Latin Mass?
The priest offers Mass facing the same direction as the people, because he and the people together are offering worship and sacrifice to God. He is not turning his back on the people to exclude them. Rather, as a Christian community, are all facing ad orientem (i.e. toward the east) waiting in joyful expectation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ who will return to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire (Rite of Baptism, 1962).

What in the early Church determined the position of the altar was that it faced Eastward. To quote St. Augustine: "When we rise to pray, we turn East, where heaven begins. And we do this not because God is there, as if He had moved away from the other directions on earth..., but rather to help us remember to turn our mind towards a higher order, that is, to God."

This quotation shows that the Christians of those early days, after listening to the homily, would rise for the prayer which followed, and turn towards the East. St. Augustine always refers to this turning to the East in prayer at the end of his homilies, using a set formula, Conversi ad Dominum ("turn to face the Lord").

Discussion Forum

Solemn High Mass 2 Replies

Started by Christine. Last reply by Erika Drain Oct. 19, 2009.

Mass Control 6 Replies

Started by Erika Drain. Last reply by Michele Aug. 26, 2009.

Comment Wall

Comment

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Comment by Lucy Sheahan on March 1, 2010 at 10:50pm: Erika,
We're in Sacramento, which was very blessed to be the first place the FSSP started a parish. Father Berg, who is now the high leader (I forget what they call it) in Austria was just a brand new priest when he started it about 8 years ago. We took over a Lutheran church and remodeled it so that it's so beautiful now. I am constantly praising God and thanking Our Lady for leading us here. Our cup overflows.
In Christ,
Lucy
www.mysticalrosedesign.blogspot.com

Comment by Erika Drain on February 28, 2010 at 6:54pm: What you might want to start with is a missalette, since Missals are so expensive. Most TLM have them available. Just in case they don't you could print these pages: http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/lmass/ord.htm The Missal would have the actual readings for that Sunday, the missalette helps you follow the TLM...

Comment by Erika Drain on February 28, 2010 at 6:48pm: This site might be helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tridentine_Mass

Comment by Kerrie Desposito on February 28, 2010 at 6:34pm: Thanks Erika for your advice! Where would I get a Missal?

Comment by Erika Drain on February 28, 2010 at 5:58pm: Kerrie! It's so awesome that you are open to attending a TLM! It's so amazing and beautiful! Do you have a Missal? You'll need a simple one to be able to follow. I remember when I first started going with my DH (then my fiancee) I was so lost the first couple of months. I didn't know any Latin but I do know Spanish and that helped me understand a lot of what was being read and said. Don't feel bad if you can't keep up the first couple of times you go.

Now as far as veils, the standard two that are very comfortable are these: 1. the small round one which you just clip on the top of your head with a pin or 2. a triangular one which can also be clipped at the top and, if long enough, you can tie it below your chin if you want or just let it hang like this picture. I'd go with black because it matches with anything you were and doesn't totally stand out (my preferances). I hope this helps! Welcome to the TLM world - so lovely!!!
Hugs, Erika

Comment by Kerrie Desposito on February 28, 2010 at 5:41pm: Hi! I'm going to my first TLM in March. I'm pretty excited about it. Quick question, though. I know I'll need to wear a chapel veil/mantilla and I know where to purchase them on line, my question is how do I pick one? Different styles, lengths, etc. Thanks!

Comment by Erika Drain on February 24, 2010 at 12:00pm: Hi Lucy! Welcome to our little group! I can't remember if I've already said this but I grew up in the Catholic Charismatic movement as well and now am a TLM goer, lol! It's kind of extremes but at the same time I can appreciate what I learned through the Charismatic movement (their incredible devotion to Mary and their trust in the Holy Ghost). The FSSP priests are AWESOME! We don't have one here but the one we have meet is originally from NC and when he visits his family we are blessed to attend Mass with him. He is wonderful! I wish he was here permenantly but there isn't anything close by (FSSP that is)....where are you?

Comment by Lucy Sheahan on January 27, 2010 at 2:01am: Hi Erika,
I'm new to this group but not so new to the TLM. I grew up in the Catholic Charismatic movement.:) My Dad was a leader. I'm grateful for the faith I received through it, but when our family started homeschooling in Sacramento, we found that all the homeschoolers went to the "Latin Mass". It took us a long time to get used to it, but our kids received their Sacraments and instruction from the wonderful FSSP priests and wanted us to go full time. Well, it has definately grown on us and we are so grateful for the beauty and reverence, which can bring me to tears sometimes. I remember reading about the old Feast Day celebrations and traditions, and asking Our Lady how our children will be able to find this. Well, she took care of it for us alright!

In Christ,
Lucy
www.mysticalrosedesign.com

Comment by Christine on October 19, 2009 at 8:01pm: We have been going to the TLM for a year now and feel truly blessed to be able to do so. We drive a little under 45 minutes on Sundays and 40 to 75 minutes on weekdays, depending on traffic, but it is so worth it. I only go to daily Mass on Friday. Hopefully, we will eventually live closer to our parish.

Comment by Erika Drain on October 19, 2009 at 7:33pm: Hi Leanna!
I'm so glad you have "discovered" the TLM. My husband, Todd, a convert from Protestanism, introduced me to it, can you believe that? He saw the N.O. too much like the services he attended at the previous church and wanted to find something more and he did! I've been going to the TLM for five years now. I love it! It is so amazingly beautiful. In Miami, FL we were graced with it weekly, now in NC, we only have it twice a month but it's definitely better than nothing! We could go weekly but the drive is about 50 minutes or so and with little guys it's hard to expect them to sit that long in the van and then another hour through Mass! So, we do attend our neighborhood NO the other two Sundays. Atleast, the Mass is very solemn and traditionally minded! As you said, the TLM is part of the richness our beautiful Church has to offer! We just got our smallest Baptised in the Traditional Rite...the most amazing Baptism ever!!! If you haven't been to one, you have to see it!
ALright off to get the kiddos in bed. Good night everyone have a lovely and blessed week!
:) Erika