The Latin Mass

[Butchyrestingface]

Has anyone been/goes?

I've been lapsed since my early teens and now, in my late 40s, have of late started to experience certain ... stirrings (could be peri-menopause). Only really attend for weddings, funerals, baptisms and occasionally Christmas these days.

Not a huge fan of the traditional Catholic mass these days after all the prayer updates and am really curious to try out TLM. My parents were old enough to remember pre Vatican II days and raved about how much they loved TLM (couldn't speak a word of Latin between them).

There is a weekly Latin mass in my city and I'm keen to go. What I want to know is, do female worshippers generally wear the mantilla? I don't want to be the only bare-headed woman there if so.

Give it a whirl OP. I’d also prefer the sung one if I were you.

I cover my head in church as my own devotional thing (not at TLM, any Mass) and I would do the same at a Latin Mass. You can wear a scarf, hat or mantilla or you can also keep your head uncovered if you prefer.

I saw a few mantillas at mass when I was a child. But that was decades ago. The mass was all in Latin back then. Except the sermon and various announcements iirc. Benediction was more relaxed. Latin hymns in the evening. Evensong really . With incense which I loved - but it's not to everyones taste I know.

The Latin Mass is beautiful and inspiring. If you know the general outline of the mass it is not difficult to follow. Same goes for the mass in orher languages. It is always a joy to attend when on holiday.

Yes I’m only in my 30s but went as a child. I can remember most of it I think.

I find only the really hardcore Catholics or the very elderly attend, so it’s not a particularly relaxed atmosphere in that sense. I wouldn’t go to one now.

Only 1 lady (she’s quite young) wears a Mantilla at our local church, again it’s a personal choice and I have never worn one outside of my Holy Communion. But I’m not aware of ‘negative connotations’ as mentioned above.

Agree, benediction is a bit ‘friendlier’ and there’s less expectation for joining in

Gosh! Is there nothing at that can’t be dismissed as a right wing conspiracy? People are searching for meaning in their lives. If going to a mass in Latin helps you then go. It is possible to understand the deeper meaning if you are not bogged down by the actual words. Cf talking in tongues.

I used to go to Latin mass in the 90s, and none of the ladies wore head coverings.

Never been but anecdotally I've heard that wearing the mantilla tends to be done by the younger women or by converts. I've heard quite a few Catholics mock it as a bit try hard.

The Oratory in Knightsbridge has a Latin Mass every Sunday morning. I haven't been for many years but I do recall seeing mantillas and hats.

Much less stressful back in my childhood. With Mass back then you had to fast beforehand. And we were always obsessed about being in a 'state of grace ' for Communion. It's much healthier nowadays imo. People regard the Confiteor as being like a general confession of faults and promise to do a bit better. Far less anxiety involved.

Out of interest , why do you feel the confiteor was different in the past?

Definitely the case in my church, and yes it does come across as showing off how pious you are.

Ooh bit judgy from the unmantilla’d. I don’t judge those who don’t cover their heads 😬

It's all the same whether vulgate or Latin.

Nobody would end up 'agreeing to all sorts'

The thing about Mass if celebrated by a priest who is in communion with Rome is that it the same everywhere regardless of language.

If the priest is associated with the Society of Pius X or the Congregation of Mary Immaculate or any other sedevacantist chapel then this would not be a valid Mass.

Once you are familiar with the mass you can easily follow a new rite one in Latin. The old rite mass is a bit trickier but the main bits are the same.

Without understanding what’s going on…

People did understand when that was the norm. It was universal all over the world people heard the same. And there were missals where Latin and a person’s vernacular language were written side by side. In any case, even in English, there are parts where longer prayers recited rather fast by the priest in a ritual way just wash over you. You don’t tend to ponder the meaning of every word!

Latin has a lovely rhythm to it. It gave the Mass a poetic, dramatic and transcendental feeling I think.

I am just trying to list the good points.

That's the thing, everyone does understand what's going on. Catholic Mass, is about communion, the Latin Mass deepens that for some.

You would definitely know what was going on nowadays in a Latin Mass as you'd have the vernacular to refer to.

It's the same Mass everywhere. If you're a Catholic and go to Mass in Montevideo or Helsinki or Jakarta, the same readings and gospel and Eucharistic prayer will be said on any given day,, and all the same prayers will be recited. Mass starts everywhere with the liturgy of the Word and continues to the liturgy of the Eucharist. The priests everywhere read from the same (Roman) Missal. There is very limited scope for ad libbing.

I’d totally forgotten about the fasting 😳 my mother would say ‘let the Holy Spirit fill you up’ - I don’t do this now as I’m diabetic and run the risk of fainting if I don’t eat!

Also remember the pressure to dress appropriately - no short sleeve T shirts or mini skirts, no slogans, no sportswear…

@HoneyParsnipSoupi always enjoy reminding my bishop friend about the Eucharistic fast as he takes his first sip of tea just before celebrating Mass at home. 🤣🤣

I go to Latin mass sometimes and I would say I am ‘normal’ Catholic definitely not sspx (had to google it), I’m liberal, anti trump, horrified by all the stuff going on in the states. Mostly I go to the English speaking mass by my house but I like the Latin too. For me I associate it with school and my grandparents.
So some ladies like to wear mantillas, some don’t. Personally today I wore leggings, trainers and a hoodie. There were also ladies in dresses and mantillas. No one made anyone feel uncomfortable about their clothes.
I learnt Latin at school (years of Catholic grammar school) but if you didn’t you get a little booklet with the Latin on the left and the English on the right in parallel text so it’s easy to follow along. You can listen or join in according to what you feel like. My personal experience is that I would be too busy making my children face the front to notice what other people are doing.