There are more and more Latin Masses in the Catholic Church these days. I have my choice of three churches in the Chicago area that offer the Latin Mass each Sunday, and one of these Churches actually offers nothing but Latin Masses. At these Masses they only have altar boys, not girls, and the parishioners do not freely stroll around the altar. We don’t hold hands at the Our Father, and we don’t walk around greeting people for five minutes. We kneel at the altar to receive communion on the tongue, which is handled only by the priest or deacon, and we hear Gregorian Chants at every Mass.
No sign of peace, I hope. (I despise that phoniness.)
I’m glad there are more choices available. I live in a small city (~90K) and we have 3 Catholic churches. The most conservative one is actually on the local University campus. It has a latin mass once in a great while but I’ve been away each time. Hope to experience it one day.
Does the priest face the congregation while saying the Mass or is his back to the people as it used to be?
The worst horrors for me were the folk masses in the 70’s. I despised them.
That’s how it is in my parish, too, Mondo! Isn’t it wonderful to have the Mass back without the geeetars and felt banners and tambourines?
Thank you, Pope Benedict! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Regards,
PS: Here on Long Island, there are 3 parishes that offer the TLM weekly and on Holy Days, and one that offers a Low Mass every Monday (that parish is working to have a Sunday High Mass too, but the altar boys and schola still need more training).
We don’t have a TLM-only parish, though. I think our Bishop wants to have it spread throughout the diocese in an organic manner. I think it’s working, too, because we’ve had at least 2 more parishes inquire about starting TLMs in their churches as well. The word is spreading!
Ooops! Forgot to mention that my husband, who always squawked at going to Mass because of the chaotic, happy-clappy services squawks no more.
He really appreciates the serious and reverent tone of the TLM and looks forward to Mass every week.
Regards,