What, exactly, is the Traditional Latin Mass?
As it was in the beginning…
Is Now!
All over the world people are rediscovering the treasure that has been at the heart of the Catholic Liturgy since the First Century. Don’t feel out of place if you’re not familiar with Latin (you will see most people reading a translation) or if the actions on the altar look different – this is the same Mass that was known by Roman Catholics around the world for centuries!
The Mass of the Ages
The traditional Latin Tridentine Mass has been quite accurately described as
“the most beautiful thing this side of heaven.”
The development of the Latin rite Mass is traced through a series of links in an unbroken chain beginning with very first mass given by Christ 2,000 years ago at the Last Supper. Beginning with that fateful evening, on every single day that has passed since then, this same offering has been done. It’s been done millions of times for billions of people, just as He commanded.
The Traditional Latin Mass of today is essentially unchanged since the Council of Trent, five centuries ago.
Some elements are derived from Jewish customs dating back to pre-Apostolic times, and other parts were developed by Church Fathers and various Saints and Popes. Pope Saint Gregory the Great instituted the Greek Kyrie Eleison and Sacred Chant during his reign. The vestments have changed little since they were developed during ancient Roman empire.
(From an article by V. Biorseth)
What’s it like?
This Mass gives the people a taste of heaven, a small vision of eternity. Just as God and His truth never change, so does this Mass remain ever the same.
The Traditional Latin Mass can be characterized by four features which strike you if you are assisting at it for the first time.
They are:
1) The Orientation of The Priest
When you first attend the Latin Mass
You will immediately notice that the priest “has his back” to you. Really, it is only accidental that the priest has his back to you because the most important thing is that he is facing the east i.e. God (it especially makes sense if the tabernacle is in the center of the altar). That is the primary reason as to why the priest faces the way he does.
An analogy might help to understand this concept. Would you ever want the bus driver to face you while riding on a bus? That would be very foolish and lead to many injuries. In addition, consider the general of an army leading his troops into battle. How would the troops feel if the general was marching into battle backwards? How successful would they be with a general who cannot see where he is going?
It is in a similar way that the priest, as another Christ and therefore mediator between God and men, faces God during Holy Mass. He is, as it were leading you to your true home, which is heaven. Besides, Holy Mass is about God, first and foremost.
2) The Latin language
For more than fifteen hundred years
the Mass has been offered in Latin. The fact that you cannot readily understand the words of the Mass is sometimes oft-putting. It is understandable, but you must always bare in mind, that you will never fully comprehend the mystery of the Mass.
​
At Mass, the bloody sacrifice of Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, is made present in an unbloody manner upon the altar. Who could ever understand such a marvelous truth? That is why you ought to approach the Mass with a spirit of humility and love.
The Best Example of How to Assist at Holy Mass
Was given by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself as she stood at the foot of the cross. She said nothing, but her heart was completely united with her Son’s as He offered Himself in order to redeem men from their sins. In fact, the love which united her to Christ was so strong that her heart was pierced due to her sorrow. Those are the sentiments that you must strive to have when you assist at Holy Mass.
3) The Atmosphere of Silence
The Voice of God
The third feature you are bound to notice when attending the traditional Latin Mass is the atmosphere of silence. The world is full of constant noise, so much so, that people are struggling to ever hear the voice of God, which comes in silence. Instead, people are distracted and only focus on this earthly life, very rarely thinking about God and heavenly things. It really is sad to see so many people, whom God loves so much, turn away from the very purpose for which they were created i.e. to know, love, and serve Him in this life and to spend eternity with Him in the next. The silence will help you enter into the Mass and enable you to offer yourself in union with Our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross.
4) Holy Communion received kneeling and only on the tongue
Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity
The last feature that will probably strike you when you come to the traditional Latin Mass for the first time is the way in which Holy Communion is distributed. You will notice that people receive kneeling and on the tongue and it might seem odd. Who do you receive in Holy Communion? That is a question that ought to always be at the forefront of your mind when going to Communion. The simple truth is that you receive Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity. Now, Christ is God, therefore one receives God during Holy Communion.
What an awesome mystery that should always keep one humble and full of love. Since it is God, Who is received, He ought to be received in the most reverent way possible. To kneel shows humility and should be a reflection of your interior disposition. Furthermore, to have the Sacred Host placed on your tongue shows the childlikeness that everyone is called to.
As Our Lord Himself said, “Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”.
(Preceding paragraphs are taken from an FSSP article “Introduction to the Traditional Latin Mass”)
Many Catholics
Are Discovering This Priceless Treasure
Another thing you might notice when attending a TLM is the large number of young people, young adults, and young families participating in the Mass. The overall numbers of people who worship according to the “Extraordinary Form” are small, but growing rapidly.
