Constantly I hear from people that they do not go to the Latin Mass because they do not understand Latin. (Some even think that the homily is in Latin.) So please, just for now, let us put aside the argument of the language; Latin or English and go to the prayers and actions that are part of the rubrics of the two masses. Let us also look at who is the center of focus and the way the people participate, dress and receive God in Holy Communion at the two masses.
As a priest, I want to re-clarify what are the differences on how Jesus is treated in the two masses. This will be from my own stand point as a priest who has for years celebrated the New Mass in English and Spanish, and now, for the last 7 years offered the Ancient Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Most Catholics judge the two masses from their own subjective perspective and preferences. They are not priests. They are not offering the two masses and have no idea what it is like from the experience of the priest who offers the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass.
From my view up on the altar, the difference between the Ancient Mass and the New Mass is like day and night. Archbishop Sample, from Portland Oregon, put it well when he said at the Sacra Liturgia Conference in Rome, that he wants all of his priests to learn and offer the Latin Mass because of the effect it has on them understanding their role as priests. He said that offering the Holy Latin Mass has changed him completely and now he finally understands the sacrificial aspect of his priesthood.
Here is a list of observations I have made while offering the Ancient Mass and the New Mass together.
The whole focus of the Holy Latin Mass is on;
adoring God, being at Calvary at the real un-bloody Sacrifice of Jesus being re-made present on the Cross, the priest asking Jesus to intercede to God His Father for the forgiveness of our sins, humbly praying that at this Sacrifice we may receive His salvation and graces. At the Sacrifice of the Holy Latin Mass, it is obvious that; God the Father is acting through Jesus His Son, Jesus is acting through the priest, in Persona Christi, There is hierarchy in Latin Mass, bishop, priest, religious, altar boys, lay people, like what is found in God’s Kingdom and the Catholic Church. The priest has the special role in praying to God. The priest prays in secret and in a low voice the sacred part of the Canon and the words of consecration. People accompany Mary and the Apostle St. John in contemplation at the foot of the cross, while Jesus is offering His life in sacrifice to the Father for our salvation. The people are assisting at Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross for them. People humbly and passively receive God’s graces through interior prayer. People humbly receive Jesus in Holy Communion kneeling and on the tongue. People pray and absorb the effects the Divine Mystery of the Holy Mass in silence. The Choir is up in the Choir loft accompanying the people in sacred songs. The choir sings anonymously for the glory of God and not to show off for the crowd. The Choir sings acapella or are accompanied by organ music. Gregorian Chant is sung to lift up people’s souls to God. much more at link The respect, adoration and protection given to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. There is only one way to offer the Holy Latin Mass and the rubrics must be obeyed. There are way more genuflections, bows and blessing to God done by the priest. No one, except the priest, can touch the Holy Chalice or Paten because they are consecrated to be only used to hold God’s Body and Blood. Once the priest has said the words of consecration, he never separates the thumbs and index fingers so that if by any chance there are tiny fragments of the Body of Jesus, they do not fall on the Altar or floor. The priest only drinks the Precious Blood of Jesus from one side of the Chalice so that when he will purify it, he can be sure he purifies where the Blood ran. When receiving the Body of Christ, the priest puts the paten under his chin incase any particles may fall on the altar. He scrapes the corporal with the paten to be sure if at any time a particle of the Body of Christ ended on the corporal, he can put it into the chalice and be consumed with the Blood of Christ. Every time after the consecration, when the priest uncovers the chalice, he puts his fingers on the chalice so that it may never fall over and spill the Precious Blood of Jesus. The Body of Christ is only given with the assistance of the altar boy holding the paten so that no crumbs of Jesus may fall on the floor. No one ever touches God in Holy Communion, other than the priest. All people are obliged to kneel and receive Jesus on the tongue. After Holy Communion, the priest purifies the Chalice twice, once with wine and again with wine and water to be sure that he gets every drop of Jesus Precious Blood purified. The priest purifies the thumbs and index fingers with water and wine into the chalice to get any tiny particle of host into the chalice and consumed. People kneel in adoration and thanksgiving after Holy Communion. People pray and do not speak inside the church. Women cover their heads with veils. People dress in there Sunday best, very respectfully and modestly If you want The Priest`s view of the English Mass go to link www.traditionalcatholicpriest.com/…/priests-view-la…
