New to the Old Mass?
The Traditional Roman Missal is the result of incremental and organic development from the time of Pope Gelasius (died 496) and Pope Gregory the Great (died 604), so it is sometimes called the 'Gregorian Rite'. After the Council of Trent, a carefully revised edition of the Missal was issued by Pope St Pius V in 1570, so it is sometimes called the 'Tridentine Rite' or 'Tridentine Mass'. The way the Mass has been handed down over so many centuries is reflected in the name 'Traditional Mass'.
The way the Mass has been handed down over so many centuries is reflected in the name 'Traditional Mass'. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ruled that this form of the Mass should be regarded, legally speaking, as a 'form' or 'use' of the Roman Rite, with the Missal of 1970 being regarded as another 'form' or 'use' of the same Rite. Hence it can be called the 'Extraordinary Form', or the 'earlier use' ('Usus Antiquior'), of the Roman Rite (SP Article 1).
At a Traditional Mass, the priest and people face east, towards the Lord. This orientation was used at the Last Supper and by the early Christians, and it continues to be used at the Traditional Mass.
Rather than think the priest has his back you, think that this eastward orientation fully expresses the meaning of the Mass—the priest leads the faithful towards the eternal goal of the Heavenly City, and he offers the Sacrifice that is Christ, to God, facing God. For Catholic tradition sees Christ as coming from the East, the direction of the rising sun.
This orientation also makes the priests' personality fade away. He becomes a servant to the sacred act that he performs, controlled by the ancient rubrics.
Lex orandi, lex credendi: "Law of prayer is the law of belief." This ancient statement exhorts us to pray as we believe, and it explains in simple terms how to worship God.
For example, in the Classical Liturgy, constant reference is made to the Holy Trinity. But in addition to the vocal part of prayer, the physical part of prayer is expressed through the common use of gestures in groups of three's: three "Domine, non sum dignus" ("Lord, I am not worthy"), three rings of the bells during the consecration, three double swings of the censor, and more. Other gestures in groups of five, such as five signs of the Cross made over the Host and Chalice, represent the five wounds of Christ.
During the Canon, the priest consecrates bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. This summit of the Mass is recited silently by the priest, as God descends upon the earth in silence. This silence should not be viewed as "shutting the faithful out of the liturgy." On the contrary, prayer needs silence, which demonstrates respect for Christ. Popes such as St. Pius X have encouraged the faithful to actively take part by "Praying the Mass" with the priest, which is accomplished through the use of a hand missal.
In Solemn Masses, incense is used, which demonstrates respect for the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. Also at Solemn Masses, three ministers are present, mirroring the Trinity: a priest, a deacon, and a sub-deacon.
Communion
In the Traditional Mass, those receiving communion do so kneeling and on the tongue as opposed to standing and in the hand.
Language and Catholic Identity
Latin is the maternal language of the Roman Catholic Church. Most important documents are issued in Latin. The Latin language was introduced into the Mass very early. For a brief period before that, Greek was used, and this Greek is preserved in the Kyrie.
While the Eastern Catholic Churches use their own sacred languages, for the greatest number of Catholics, Latin is the universal language of the Liturgy. Thus, the unity of prayer and faith has been preserved over all national differences for centuries.
Latin has also inspired literature and Gregorian chant, and is the language of the Second Vatican Council.
The Traditional Roman Missal is the result of incremental and organic development from the time of Pope Gelasius (died 496) and Pope Gregory the Great (died 604), so it is sometimes called the 'Gregorian Rite'. After the Council of Trent, a carefully revised edition of the Missal was issued by Pope St Pius V in 1570, so it is sometimes called the 'Tridentine Rite' or 'Tridentine Mass'. The way the Mass has been handed down over so many centuries is reflected in the name 'Traditional Mass'.
The way the Mass has been handed down over so many centuries is reflected in the name 'Traditional Mass'. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ruled that this form of the Mass should be regarded, legally speaking, as a 'form' or 'use' of the Roman Rite, with the Missal of 1970 being regarded as another 'form' or 'use' of the same Rite. Hence it can be called the 'Extraordinary Form', or the 'earlier use' ('Usus Antiquior'), of the Roman Rite (SP Article 1).
At a Traditional Mass, the priest and people face east, towards the Lord. This orientation was used at the Last Supper and by the early Christians, and it continues to be used at the Traditional Mass.
Rather than think the priest has his back you, think that this eastward orientation fully expresses the meaning of the Mass—the priest leads the faithful towards the eternal goal of the Heavenly City, and he offers the Sacrifice that is Christ, to God, facing God. For Catholic tradition sees Christ as coming from the East, the direction of the rising sun.
This orientation also makes the priests' personality fade away. He becomes a servant to the sacred act that he performs, controlled by the ancient rubrics.
Lex orandi, lex credendi: "Law of prayer is the law of belief." This ancient statement exhorts us to pray as we believe, and it explains in simple terms how to worship God.
For example, in the Classical Liturgy, constant reference is made to the Holy Trinity. But in addition to the vocal part of prayer, the physical part of prayer is expressed through the common use of gestures in groups of three's: three "Domine, non sum dignus" ("Lord, I am not worthy"), three rings of the bells during the consecration, three double swings of the censor, and more. Other gestures in groups of five, such as five signs of the Cross made over the Host and Chalice, represent the five wounds of Christ.
During the Canon, the priest consecrates bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. This summit of the Mass is recited silently by the priest, as God descends upon the earth in silence. This silence should not be viewed as "shutting the faithful out of the liturgy." On the contrary, prayer needs silence, which demonstrates respect for Christ. Popes such as St. Pius X have encouraged the faithful to actively take part by "Praying the Mass" with the priest, which is accomplished through the use of a hand missal.
In Solemn Masses, incense is used, which demonstrates respect for the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. Also at Solemn Masses, three ministers are present, mirroring the Trinity: a priest, a deacon, and a sub-deacon.
Communion
In the Traditional Mass, those receiving communion do so kneeling and on the tongue as opposed to standing and in the hand.
Language and Catholic Identity
Latin is the maternal language of the Roman Catholic Church. Most important documents are issued in Latin. The Latin language was introduced into the Mass very early. For a brief period before that, Greek was used, and this Greek is preserved in the Kyrie.
While the Eastern Catholic Churches use their own sacred languages, for the greatest number of Catholics, Latin is the universal language of the Liturgy. Thus, the unity of prayer and faith has been preserved over all national differences for centuries.
Latin has also inspired literature and Gregorian chant, and is the language of the Second Vatican Council.