Posted on 11/05/2006 7:49:15 AM PST by GCC Catholic
(This post is predominately addressed to Indult Mass attendees, but anyone with constructive suggestions is welcome)
The Erie TLM Apostolate is celebrating a special High Mass next Sunday to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Apostolate. (N.B.: I can pass along more details to anyone in the area who is interested.) A group of students from the Newman Club here at Grove City College would like to attend, and I've decided to be the one to try to organize everything.
This brings me to a few questions that I had in making sure that everyone that will be going is on the same page. A couple of students have attended a TLM in the past (including myself), but the majority have not, and I would like them to have a positive experience so that they come out with an appreciation for the Old Mass. I'm trying to make everything run as smoothly as possible, because I realize that feeling confused and being unable to follow along is probably one of the easiest ways to drive someone away from it.
-- Is it reasonable to expect that some sort of simple Missal would be provided to visitors? I know that some places provide the red booklets. I will probably try to contact the parish to find out beforehand.
-- Are women required to wear some type of head covering? I wasn't sure one way or the other, but wanted to be safe and check beforehand. I'm sure that most of the female students wouldn't have them. I know that in some of the SSPX and Independent chapels it is considered to be a very important matter.
-- If they are required, what would be a fast and reasonably inexpensive solution?
-- I plan to give everyone going a simple explanation beforehand on what to expect (for example how to receive Communion). Are there any resources that might be a good primer, or any suggestions for things that I should point out? I've been learning about the Tridentine Mass long enough that by the first time I went, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, so I don't want to overlook anything.
Any other suggestions are welcome, but please remember that this is at an Indult parish.
This is a great thing that you are doing. Don't worry about the head coverings. Prior to Vatican II, women were expected to have their hair covered and many wore hats. If the student women want to wear a hat that is fine. Sometimes extra veils are provided in the back of church for those who want to wear them. I don't think anyone will get on anyone's case for lack of a head covering.
Since people can get confused the first time they ever assist at a Traditional Mass, perhaps you can also tell them not to worry about keeping up with the priest. If they just want to look and meditate on what is happening, that is just fine. If they get "hooked", there is plenty of time to study how to participate.
I would also recommend that, if possible, you arrange for a priest or someone from the parish to meet with the students afterwards to answer questions and encourage them to return. My husband is a convert from Protestantism and he was lost the first time we went to the Traditional Mass. However, he said to me, "We have to come back." So the Holy Spirit will work in each person. Perhaps you might encourage each student to pray to the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to this liturgy, and make understanding easier.
I don't know if the parish has people who welcome people when they are new, but it would be really beneficial if the students were invited to return by a regular member of the parish. Perhaps someone from the parish who is also a student might take your student friends in hand. Just some thoughts. I love this liturgy and have to drive 3 hours one way to attend when I can.
You asked:
"-- Is it reasonable to expect that some sort of simple Missal would be provided to visitors?"
Often the inexpensive, red colored hand missals printed by the supporterd of Ecclesia Dei are provided. Simply call the parish where the Mass is to be held and ask about it.
"-- Are women required to wear some type of head covering?"
No. Since you will be going to someone else's parish, however, it would be respectful to use them if most of the women there do. Again, call ahead. Better yet, go there first and get the lay of the land. See how they do things.
"-- If they are required, what would be a fast and reasonably inexpensive solution?"
Internet sales. A number of internet sites sell "chapel veils" http://www.aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/store.BrowseCategory/Category/1187/sp/0/index.htm
The cheap thing to do is visit the parish and talk to the priest ahead of time. See if most women wear them. If so you can always encourage it among the women of your group. Wnat some veils for nothing? Tell the priest what you're doing. Let him ask his congregation if they have extra they can donate. Trust me, a group of Latin Mass ladies would be happy to donate their time and veils to help out some college girls to attend the Latin Mass in a truly modest way.
"-- I plan to give everyone going a simple explanation beforehand on what to expect (for example how to receive Communion). Are there any resources that might be a good primer, or any suggestions for things that I should point out?"
Show them a video perhaps. Online video: http://www.archive.org/details/TridentineMassPhila1990
Every indult TLM apostolate has a coordinator of some sort, if nothing more than to serve in a secretarial role. Find out who that person is and call him or her with your questions. Generally, indult Masses tend to be less strict about headcoverings. Don't push that point too much with the college girls unless the coordinator says they are required. It can be a touchy subject for today's women and is a subject best handled by women, imo. Modest dress for men and women is not a difficult request. Just be sure to define modest dress. Few understand that concept anymore.
The Missals should be provided at the door. If the headcovering rule is strict, they should provide loaner veils at the door as well.
Prepare the students by telling them they WILL be confused. It is to be expected. The spiritual experience is radically different than the N.O., and it can be disconcerting to be lost in your own religion. The first few times I went to the indult all I could do was sit there and take it in. I didn't understand what was happening, but I knew on a deep level I was home. I never returned to the N.O.
See if your group can meet for breakfast or lunch afterwards to process the experience. Better if you can invite the priest along. If you get a core group interested in attending the Mass, you can start a formal student group for support and evangelization at your college and other colleges. This has a lot of potential. Unfortunately (or not), you may be the designated point person to make it happen.
One more thing. Tell them not to say "Amen" after receiving Communion. I learned that one the hard way.
If you can get them to Confession before Mass all the better.
Don't push too much too fast. The transition can be overwhelming.
Try sacred-texts.com for a Latin-English side by side translation. Your group could look and get an idea what is going on, they might wish a print it out for themselves. Encourage them to at least read through it.
Remind the ladies about modest attire. As for a head cover, even a scarf would be fine or a hat that is not a baseball cap (beret or something like that). A chaplet (veil) is not a requirement, just a head cover of some kind.
Confession before Mass is often available. They may be shocked to find out that people actually go to Confession.
Many TLR parishes have "Mass cards" - laminated card stock with the Ordinary in Latin with an English translation.
I know the usual mistakes I try to avoid when going to a Tridentine Mass. Here goes: Remind them not to say amen when receiving the Host. Many of the women who attend the Indult here in Detroit do not wear a head covering, it is certainly permitted in any Catholic Church however if they so desire. My Church (Novus Ordo Latin) has a good sized contingent of ladies who wear a head covering. Because my congregation is used to participating in Latin sometimes we have to be careful when we go to the Indult not to say the entire Pater Noster, only the last phrase is said by the congregation at the Tridentine Mass. Sounds like a wonderful experience, God bless.
Thanks for the fisheaters link. Excellent.
Thank you all very much for your suggestions. If you have more, please keep posting them. There were several things mentioned that I didn't even think about mentioning to the group, because by the time that I went to my first Tridentine Mass, I had read enough about it to expect them. Hopefully, I will get a couple of pictures of the group that goes out for the Mass, and will be able to post them here with a description of the group's reactions.
Again, thank you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.