About the Latin mass

"If there is anything divine among

man's possessions which might
excite the envy of the citizens of
heaven (could they ever be swayed
by such a passion), this is
undoubtedly the Most Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass, by means of
which men, having before their
eyes, and taking into their hands
the very Creator of heaven and
earth, experience, while still on
earth, a certain anticipation of
Heaven."

Pope Urban VII, 1634

What is the Traditional Latin Mass?

For nearly 1,400 years, the Traditional Latin Mass was the Liturgy of the
Catholic world. It was the Mass at which practically every Pope, and Saint
and Christian of the West worshipped from 600 A.D. to 1970 A.D.

It was the Mass that Catholic martyrs gave their blood to preserve during
the Protestant Reformation. It was the Mass that united Christians across
Continents and across centuries. It has been described as "the most beautiful
thing this side of heaven."

Why has the Traditional Latin Mass returned?

With the crises in the world today, more and more people (especially young
people) seek an alternative to the "modern world." They are returning in
droves to the wisdom of the ages, to things tested and timeless.

For many young Catholics and converts to the Catholic Faith, this has
included a return to the Traditional Latin Mass.

Recognizing that the Traditional Latin Mass has never been abolished or
forbidden, Pope Benedict XVI affirms in his July 7, 2007 Motu Proprio
entitled "Summorum Pontificum" the right of every Catholic priest in the
world to offer this Mass.

How does the Traditional Latin Mass differ from the New Mass?

Perhaps the first difference that one will notice is the use of Latin at the
traditional Mass -- the official language of the Church. Over the centuries,
Latin has helped unify Catholics from different countries and backgrounds.

The second major obvious difference is that in the Traditional Latin Mass,
the priest, like the rest of the congregation, faces East ("ad orientem"). East
is the direction of the rising Sun, which is symbolic of the Risen Christ. This
means that for much of the Mass, the priest’s back is toward the
congregation.

This demonstrates the unity of the priest and the parishioners in

worshipping God together. After all, Mass is not about the priest’s
interaction with the congregation, but rather about interaction with God
Himself.

The third major difference concerns Holy Communion. At the Traditional

Latin Mass, Holy Communion is received by parishioners on the tongue,
and kneeling.

This traditional form of receiving the Eucharist stresses the awesome reality
that Holy Communion is indeed the Body of Christ, and should be received
with the utmost of reverence.

Lastly, the music that one will hear at the Traditional Latin Mass will
include solemn Gregorian Chant – the official music of the Church.

This is in place of guitars and other modern instruments (and tunes) that
were introduced with the new Mass.

Overall, most Catholics who attend the Traditional Latin Mass characterize
the differences noted above, along with some others, as creating a greater
"sense of the sacred" at the Traditional Latin Mass.

Do I need to know Latin to follow the Traditional Latin Mass?

No. Latin-English Missals contain easy-to-follow, step-by-step translations

of all the prayers, hymns, and responsorials of the Mass. The homily will be
in English, and the scriptural readings will be read in both English and
Latin.
Latin-English Missals are always available for your use.

How do I use the Traditional Latin Missal?

The Latin-English Booklet Missal lays out, in easy-to-follow format, the

structure and prayers of the Mass. There are two sets of prayers at Mass: the
ordinary prayers, and the proper prayers.

The ordinary prayers are those fixed prayers that repeat week after week,
and will be contained in the Missal. The proper prayers, which change from
week to week, will be provided to you via handout each Sunday.