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Lift Up Your Hearts: 10 Tips for Newcomers to the Latin

Mass
catholicgentleman.net /2016/06/lift-hearts-10-tips-newcomers-latin-mass/

Sam
Guzman

Ive shared before on this blog my love for


the ancient Roman Rite, also known as the
Latin Mass, the Tridentine Mass, or the
Extraordinary Form. But whenever I write
about this topic, I inevitably get emails from
readers who were inspired to visit a Mass in
the Extraordinary Form, only to be confused
and disoriented the entire time. The
messages usually go something like, It was
very beautiful, and I loved the music, but I
didnt get much out of it because I had no
idea what the priest was doing.

The truth is, the Extraordinary Form can be


intimidating the first time you visit, because it
is so, well, different than the form of the
Mass most Catholics are used to. It has an
ethos all its own, and its rhythms and
patterns can take time to absorb.

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.

1. Embrace the Mystery

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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.

Yet, the human soul needs mystery to thrive. Deep


down, sometimes very deep down, we crave an
experience that is disorienting in its wonder,
something so marvelous we forget ourselves in the face of it. We want something that is at once knowable and
unknowable, within our grasp and beyond our reach.

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.

Missals are helpful because they provide at minimum


the Ordinary of the Mass (the parts that dont change)
and the Propers (the changeable readings and
prayers) for Sundays, and many also include readings
for daily Masses and special feasts. Every one Ive
seen also includes helpful catechesis on the Mass,
instructions on how to pray along, and prayers and
devotions for before and after Mass. They are usually
treasure troves of Catholic devotion and incredibly
helpful in understanding the Mass in a deeper way.

You can find used Latin Mass missals in many places:


Antique shops, Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, grandmas
bookshelf, etc. I like used ones personally because
there is a sense of history to them. Its cool finding old
holy cards tucked inside them or seeing a name of a
Catholic forebear written inside the cover, and many of them have gorgeous illustrations and ornate pages.

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.

I recommend the low Mass because less is


happening. In a high Mass, the priest is often
praying one thing while the choir is singing
another, meaning it can be hard to follow
along. The simplicity of the low Mass is
conducive to learning whats happening when.

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.

4. Learn the Parts


When I first went to a Latin Mass, I was confused. It seemed much more complex than the Novus Ordo, with many
new prayers and actions to learn. But while it is true there are extra prayers and actions, the basic structure is
always the same, and similar to that of the Novus Ordo: The Mass of the Catechumens (the beginning of Mass to the
Creed) and the Mass of the Faithful (from the Offertory to the end of Mass). Learning the visual cues of the priest
and a few words of the prayers is immensely helpful in following along.

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.

Another cool video is this reenactment of a


Medieval Mass from the 15th century. Of course, it
looks laregly identical to a Tridentine Mass you
would attend now, showing the continuty of tradition.
A medival peasant could attend my parish and feel
at home, and vice versa. Cool, huh?

6. Learn Some Latin

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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.

7. Adjust Your Thinking


The traditional Mass can be disorienting. Yet, I would argue that this disorientation is a healthy thing. It helps draw
us up and out of ourselves. And in a sense,
holiness should be disorienting, for it means cut
off from the ordinary, something Other. When
Peter, James, and John were on Mount Tabor
with Jesus, they didnt feel comfortable,
welcomed, and at ease. They were confused
and afraid in the presence of Jesus Divinity.
Likewise with Moses and all other men who
encountered Gods presence.

Old churches would sometime have this


inscription above the door: Terribilis est locus
iste: hic domus Dei est, et porta caeli:
Translated, it means, This place is terrible, it is
the house of God, and the gate of heaven. In
other words, the house of God should be awe
inspiring. It should feel out of the ordinary, a
place set apart for the worship of the Almighty.

Yet, our worship is too often not awesome, it is


banal and commonplace. And so one of the
easiest traps to fall into is thinking that the Mass
is for and about us. We begin to think that we are the audience and judge the Mass accordingly. What did I get out of
it? Could I see and understand? Was the music to my taste? Really, though, the Mass isnt for you. Its for Godhe
is the audience. All of the prayers and actions are oriented toward offering a sacrifice of praise to him. We have the
privilege of participating in this great worship, and we assist the priest in his offering. But the Mass is not for us and
our entertainment. Keep that in mind and I believe you will find Mass much more profitable.

8. Get a Good Instructional Book


Missals can be helpful in understanding the Mass, but sometimes you need even more instruction. Not to worry
many beautiful books have been written about the significance of the Mass, complete with pictures, charts, and
explanatory texts. If you can find a vintage copy of Archbishop Sheens This is the Mass, I recommend you do so.

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.

I would recommend going to at least four to six


Masses. For the first few, just take everything in. Dont
bother trying to follow along or figure out whats
happening. Just pray quietly, watch whats happening
at the altar, and imitate what you see others doing.
Then, after youve oriented yourself, get a Missal and
begin try to listen for key words and gestures (many missals have pictures of what the priest does at different parts).
The longer you attend, the more you will adjust to its unique ethos.

10. Pray with the Priest


The most profitable way to pray at Mass is to
pray the Mass. Now, that doesnt mean that
you have to pray each and every prayer at the
exact moment that the priest does (though this
couldnt hurt!). But it does mean that you
recognize that the Mass is a sacrifice of
petition, adoration, reparation, and
thanksgiving, and pray accordingly.

I have an old prayer book that doesnt contain


any of the actual Mass prayers. Yet, for each
part of the Mass (from the beginning to the
Gospel, etc.) has prayers specifically for one
of the four ends of Mass. Praying the Mass in
this way is perfectly legitimate. Some
Sundays, I bring my Missal and follow along
with what the priest is praying. Other
Sundays, I pray the four intentions of Mass either in my own words or using the prayer book I mentioned. And still
other Sundays, I do both. There is a beautiful freedom to pray in your own way at the Latin Mass, to spend time in
Gods presence and speak to him from your heart.

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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