9:00AM Sunday Mass
6.8 Miles
My first Latin, old style Mass since I was in the first or second grade! Our Lady of Mt Carmel was established in 2009 to cater to Catholic who wanted to celebrate Mass using the pre-1962 liturgy and services. Not really sure why anyone would want that but to each their own!
The first thing that struck me as we entered the Church were the veil covered heads (of women) ... and shortly after, I occurred to me that I was the only man in shorts. The altar area seemed a lot more ornate that most of the regular Parish Churches in Colorado and the stern looks of men, women, and children seemed a lot less welcoming as well. I guess they were all dreading the Latin mumbo jumbo hour ahead of them and had their "game" faces on!
The priest came in from a room adjacent to the altar area ... unlike the typical procession down the aisle that has been in practice since Vatican II (or so I think.) The priest had his back to the congregation for most of the Mass, as was the practice pre-Vatican II. The tepid, almost imperceptible responses from the congregation to the various "Dominus Vobiscum"s and even the Kyrie and Christi Eleisons, was a let down. The veils and stern demeanors didn't actually translate to vigorous "Et cum spiritu tuo"s!
The priest's shiny bald pate was made all the more eye catching by his habit of scratching the right top side, leading me to silently christen him "Padre Kamot" (kamot meaning "scratch" in Filipino.)
There was an incredible amount of kneeling ... probably 3/4th of the Mass had us on our knees. Amazingly even little kids knelt without the typical fidgeting that the post-Vatican II children Mass goers engage in while on the pews.
For Communion, we all trooped to the front of the Church and knelt on the long row fronting the Altar ... just like in old days! The Priest went down the line dishing out Communion, signing the Cross with the Host while whispering a Latin phrase (which I assumed was more than just Corpus Christi or the Body of Christ.) The Altar boy followed along with a paten, an implement that I hadn't seen in a Church in decades.
The only Latin prayer the Congregation participated in fully was the Agnus Dei prior to Communion. I'd have thought that the Pater Noster would have been the one prayer that'd have had significant audience participation but it turned out that the priest was the only one saying the prayer --- while the congregation continued to be on their knees.
After the final blessing, the priest went through 3 Hail Marys, and a few other prayers in English before leaving the Altar area.
Pretty interesting overall. Finally got to attend a Latin service.
Church Web Site - http://www.olmcfssp.org/cms/
About Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church (OLMC)
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Denver, erected in July 2009 to provide spiritual and pastoral care to those Catholics who desire to worship using the liturgical books in force in 1962.
History of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - Latin Mass Community (OLMC)
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Latin Mass Community was established on July 16, 1996 by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.Devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel dates back to the 13th Century when according to Carmelite tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave him the Brown Scapular. The Brown Scapular is worn by many Catholic faithful as a sign of love and devotion for the Mother of God.
"Most worthy Queen of the World, Mary ever Virgin, pray for our peace and safety; thou who didst bring forth Christ the Lord and Saviour of all mankind."
About the FSSP
Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri (FSSP) is the Latin Name of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. The FSSP is a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right founded with the approval of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1988. The Fraternity was established for the formation and sanctification of priests in the framework of the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite (Tridentine Latin Mass) and their pastoral deployment in the service of the Church. The FSSP functions under the auspices of and in complete union with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Hi there. Just a few points:
ReplyDeleteThe Mass offered at OLMC in Littleton follows the 1962 Missal.
It is highly likely that anyone you encountered prior to Mass was recollected in prayer, coming from confession, participating in the rosary, or involved in some other such preparation for Holy Communion. Once Holy Mass is over there is ample time for socialization that most people take part in. Vatican II called for Latin to be retained. Every Pope from the start of Vatican II up to and including Pope Francis regularly offers the reformed Mass in Latin. I would not think they would agree with terming it "mumbo jumbo".
At a High Mass, which I always recommend for any visitor that is no longer or never has been accustomed to the Traditional Mass, the priest comes down the center aisle. Low Mass is a bit different in several respects.
As is the case with Latin, the current missal still directs the priest to turn and face the people at various parts of the Mass. All of the Popes since Vatican II from John XXIII on have offered the reformed Mass in this manner. The current Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship, His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, has asked on several occasions that such a practice be rediscovered and I've seen him taken up on that on several occasions just recently in Tennessee and Missouri in the modern rite of Mass.
The dialogue Mass in the US for Low Mass never really took off. Congregations sing/respond a lot more in general at High Masses. I've been doing as much all over the country for 15 years. I'm 30 now. I've noticed everywhere I've been that vocal participation is low to non existent at Low Mass and fairly common at a High Mass. It's not that people can't. Its that in general they prefer to be present as people were before at Low Mass, generally silently participating.
At a Low Mass the congregation kneels for most of the Mass. At a High Mass there is much more incense, music, sitting, standing, etc.
The phrase used in the Traditional Mass for distribution of Holy Communion (which there is talk in Rome of giving the option to priests to use for the New Mass as well) is May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto everlasting life.
It is unfortunate that patens are not more commonly used, but again, making a comeback.
At High Mass the congregation stands for the Pater Noster, at Low Mass the Congregation kneels. Permission to say the Our Father with the priest came in 1958 and never really caught on here before the Mass was changed.
Those were the same prayers you would have prayed after Mass as a child. The 3 Hail Marys, Hail Holy Queen, St. Michael prayer, and a short oration were prescribed by Pope Leo XIII to be said after all Low Masses. They are not said after High Mass. John Paul II and Benedict XVI recommend reintroduction of the prayers to varying degrees, especially the St. Michael Prayer. And again, like with the other things I mentioned, we are slowly seeing these prayers come back at the request of several popes now.
I would highly recommend a High Mass. Low Mass has its pros but it is typically tougher to appreciate for a while once one is accustomed to the modern Mass until one gets reacquainted with the Traditional Mass. I think you would be pleasantly surprised at the difference with the High Mass. Perhaps try it some time!
Why do you think it is it stern to wear a veil and silently pray in the Presence of God instead of visiting with your neighbor?
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