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catholicgentleman.net /2016/06/lift-hearts-10-tips-newcomers-latin-mass/
Sam
Guzman
But, while there is a learning curve, the Latin Mass is by no means impossible to learn. Only a few decades
ago, your typical Catholic grade schooler had a solid understanding of what was happening at the altar, even if he
couldnt understand every word the priest was saying. While it might take some time, I would argue that it is worth
the effort as it will enrich your spiritual life and form you, just as it did for countless saints.
Here, then, are ten tips for newcomers to the Latin Mass.
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The first point Id like to emphasize is that theres
nothing wrong with a little mystery. In our post-
Enlightenment, science-obsessed society, we place
a premium on understanding everything. We dont
like feeling ignorant or left in the dark. We moderns
mistakenly believe that knowing how something
works is that same as knowing what it means. I
believe this is one reason poetry has grown less
popularby nature, it is metaphorically dense, and
the modern mind, which likes to deal in linear,
empirical data, is often frustrated by this.
Good and true liturgy is like that. It draws us upward and out of ourselves. It is disorienting and uncomfortable in a
healthy and joyful way. Holiness, if it is real, should feel disorienting. So give yourself permission to not know and
understand everything that is going on in the Mass. Some priestly gestures and prayers are meant to be beyond
your reach, and you arent meant to grasp their every meaning. That is just how it is. Embrace it. Let the mystery
wash over you and transform you.
2. Get a Missal
Alright, even with that very important point being made, you probably still want to know at least some of whats going
on! Fair enough, and to help in that regard, I recommend getting a missal to help.
If you arent into vintage stuff, though, dont worry. There are many beautiful modern missals being made, including
the Edmund Campion Missal and Hymnal, the Roman Catholic Daily Missal, and the Baronius Press Missal. I
personally recommend the Edmund Campion Missal. While its dimensions are larger than most, it has some of the
most beautifully illuminated pages, photography, and illustrations of any missal Ive found. It is a work of art.
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3. Go to a Low Mass First
If youre new to the Latin Mass, I highly
recommend starting with a Low Mass. If you
arent familiar with the distinction between a
High and Low Mass, low Masses usually have
minimal or no music and are not sung. They
are much simpler in their form and do not
include things like incense, the sprinkling rite
(the Asperges), or a choir.
While its true that High Masses are much more beautiful and rich for the senses, the Low Mass is beautiful in its
own way, with the silence drawing ones heart to prayer. It is an oasis of quiet in a world that is filled with noise.
5. Watch Videos
While it is highly unlikely that anyone is paying
attention, we can sometimes feel self-conscious in a
new environment. Am I doing the right thing? Did I
miss something? If you are nervous about looking
silly, I recommend watching videos of the Mass on
YouTube to learn the parts. There are many
awesomely beautiful videos out there, many of them
narrated so you know whats happening. For
example, heres an Easter Sunday Mass from 1941
narrated by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
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Believe it or not, while it is no longer part of the piety of most Catholics, Latin is still the official language of the
Church. Normatively, Church documents are issued in Latin and then translated into other languages. That includes
the vernacular Mass.
When approaching the Latin Mass, it is really helpful to learn a few words or prayers in Latin. You dont have to
become an expert in the language, but historically, Catholics were familiar with at least a few basic Latin prayers,
like the Our Father (Pater Noster) or the Hail Mary (Ave Maria). It couldnt hurt to learn some key words. Knowing
that Dominus vobiscum means the Lord be with you, can be helpful, or that Sursum corda means Lift up your
hearts, means that the canon is coming soon.
But the one book I recommend more than any other is the gorgeous book Treasure and Tradition: The ultimate
guide to the Latin Mass. This book is stunning. If you read it, you will appreciate the Mass more. It has many
beautiful incredible illustrations, historical notes, explanations of vestments, sacred objects, and much, much more.
Even if you never attend a Latin Mass, get this book. It will change the way you see the Mass and enrich your
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worship. Here is a review.
9. Be Patient
It is tempting to want to understand the ancient Mass
immediately. Yet, this isnt really possible. It will take
time and a little bit of effort, so give it a chance and be
patient.
Conclusion
This post has been rather long, but I hope it has given you a better understanding of how to approach the ancient
Mass. As I said at the beginning, it will take some effort to learn, and yet I sincerely believe nothing is more profitable
or enriching to your faith. This is the Mass of the saints and martyrs, the Mass that can be traced all the way back to
the catacombs of ancient Rome. When you hear the words of the priest and pray them yourself, you are hearing the
exact same words that centuries of Catholics before you have heard and prayed.
Immersing yourself in the traditional Mass is not about nostalgia or pining for the past. It is about being transformed
by the beauty of holiness. Far from being dead and archaic, you will find that this ancient way of praying is very
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much alive and powerful, a way of encountering God that is vital in its freshness.
So go to a Tridentine Mass if there is one near you. Experience it, pray it, and let its timeless rhythms transform your
heart and soul.
PS: Check out my video chat with Matt Fradd about the Extraordinary Form, and why men are drawn to it.
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