Catholic Faith Refresher Course

Traditional Latin Mass - Mass of All Times

The Holy Mass, Pathway to God

The Lord has left us the Holy Liturgy to make sure that we can remain in contact with Him. It has been the aim of the Church to bring as many people to the liturgical celebration of the Sacrifice of the Lord as possible. As a matter of fact, we could say that it is the only aim of the Church to bring people in contact with the Lord through the celebration of the Sacraments and especially through the Holy Mass. It is the center of the Church, and at the same time, Her nourishment, Her protection, and Her goal because here is the Lord.

What could we do more than to strive with all our forces to make it clear to every single person that without the assistance to this holy celebration it remains very difficult, if not impossible, to stay with the Lord. The Mass is the source of everything else when it comes to the Faith. Liturgical matters are not minor details, but they are and they have always been one of the main preoccupations of Holy Mother Church. If not for the Liturgy, many people would not know about the doctrine, and if not for the Liturgy many people would never have met the Lord.

It is a worthy task and a highly important aim to maintain the fullness of the liturgical tradition to safeguard the meaning of its mystical gestures and to defend the right to do today what the Church has always done.

_ _ _ + _ _ _

The Benefits of Attending Mass

Every Mass will go with you to your Judgment and will plead pardon for you.

By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass, you render the greatest homage possible
to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord.

God forgives you all the venial sins which you are determined to avoid
and all of your unknown sins which you have not confessed.

The power of Satan over you is diminished.

Through Holy Mass you are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes
which would otherwise have befallen you.

You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass.

~~~~~~~ +++ ~~~~~~~ +++ ~~~~~~~ +++ ~~~~~~~

Mass of the Catechumens

MASS BEGINS WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

AS THE PRIEST REPEATS THE ANTHEM:

I will go to the Altar of God. To God Who giveth joy to my youth.

Our help is in the name of the Lord. Who made heaven and earth.

THE CONFITEOR

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael
the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to you Father, that I have sinned exceedingly
in thought, word and deed.(He strikes his breast 3 times)
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grevious fault.
Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul,
to all the saints, and you Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May Almighty God be merciful unto you, and forgiving your sins, bring you to everlasting life.
Signing himself with the sign of the Cross, the priest says,
May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. Amen.

The Confiteor creates an interior silence from the beginning of the Mass, as Priest and faithful turn away from their temporal concerns to face the reality of Calvary, for which their sins are responsible. It is the first expression of that Humility which will accompany us throughout the Sacrifice of the Mass.

At the Confiteor:

The Priest
1.    Goes to the altar.
2.    Commences Mass.
3.    Says the Confiteor.
4.    Goes up and kisses the altar.
5.    Goes to the Epistle side.
6.    Reads the Introit

Christ
1. Goes to Mount Olivet.
2. Begins to pray.
3. Falls down and sweats blood.
4. Is betrayed by Judas with a kiss.
5. Is captured, bound, taken to Annas.
6. Is falsely accused by Annas and
blasphemed.

THE KYRIE ELEISON

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.
Jesus is 3 times denied by Peter
This is the only part of Mass said in Greek

At The Kyrie

The Priest
7. Goes to the middle of the altar and
says the Kyrie Eleison.
8. Says the Dominus vobiscum.

Christ
7. Is brought to Caiphas and there
three times denied by Peter.
8. Looks at Peter and converts him.

THE GLORIA

The Gloria is the Church's highest hymn of praise.

It gives honor and glory to the Blessed Trinity

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise You. We bless You. We adore You. We glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You alone are holy. You alone are the Lord. You alone, O Jesus Christ, are most high, Together with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen

The Gloria is followed by the COLLECT, or collected prayers of the faithful;
then by the reading of the EPISTLE, the GRADUAL, and the HOLY GOSPEL.
All are taken directly from Holy Scripture, and readings change during
the various seasons of the Church Calendar
After the GRADUAL, the MISSAL is carried to the Gospel side of the Altar, symbolizing the passing of the faith from the Jews to the Gentiles.

At The Epistle and Gospel

The Priest
9. Reads the Epistle.
10. Says the Munda cor meum at the
middle of the altar.
11. Reads the Gospel.

Christ
9. Is brought to Pilate.
10. Is taken to Herod and mocked.
11. Is taken back to Pilate and again
mocked.

Following the Reading of the Gospel

We make a Profession of Faith
by reciting one of the most ancient expressions of the Catholic Faith:
THE NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds;
God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God;
begotten, not made, of one being of with the Father,
by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven,
( here all genuflect) and was made flesh
by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, AND WAS MADE MAN.
He was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; and was buried;
And on the third day He rose again, according to the
Scriptures; and ascending into heaven,
He sits at the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again in glory, to judge the living and the dead;
and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life;
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
Who together with the Father and the Son
is no less adored and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets.
And I believe One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for
the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Mass of The Faithful

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God,
this spotless host, which I, your unworthy servant,
offer to You, my living and true God,
to atone for my numberless sins, offenses, and negligences;
on behalf of all here present and likewise
for all faithful Christians living and dead,
that it may profit me and them as a means of salvation
to life everlasting. Amen

The priest then prays as he washes his hands, especially his consecrated fingers which will touch the Body and Blood of Our Lord at Consecration

The Priest
12.    Uncovers the chalice.
13.    Offers bread and wine.
14.    Covers the chalice.
15.    Washes his hands.
16.    Says the Orate Fratres.

Christ
12.    Is shamefully exposed.
13.    Is cruelly scourged.
14.    Is crowned with thorns.
15.    Is declared innocent by Pilate.
16.    Is shown by Pilate to the people
         with the words, Ecce homo.

The Priest kisses the Altar and turns toward the people and says:

THE ORATE FRATRES

PRAY BRETHREN, that my sacrifice and yours
may become acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
May the Lord accept this Sacrifice from your hands
to the praise and glory of His name,
for our good, and that of all His holy Church.
Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, this spotless host,
which I, your unworthy servant, offer to You, my living and true God,
to atone for my numberless sins, offenses, and negligences;
on behalf of all here present
and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead,
that it may profit me and them
as a means of salvation to life everlasting. Amen

The Bells ring Three Times (Click on Bells to hear how all Catholic Churches once announced the Consecration)

SANCTUS SANCTUS SANCTUS

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and Earth are filled with Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

THE CANON OF THE MASS

The Canon of The Mass is so called because
of the fixity of its content; it is unchanging.
The great moment is fast approaching when the High Priest, Jesus Christ,
by an unbloody immolation will offer Himself a most acceptable Victim
to the Etrernal Father, as He did on the Cross.
A commemoration of all the Living and an Invocation to The Saints is made.

The Priest
17. Prays in a low voice.
18. Says the Preface and the Sanctus.
19. Makes the Memento for the living
20. Continues to pray in a low voice.

Christ
17. Is mocked and spit upon.
18. Has Barabbas preferred to Him,
and is condemned to crucifixion.
19. Carries the cross to Mount Calvary.
20. Meets His Mother and other pious
women.

As the Priest offers the Words of Consecration, under the appearance of bread and wine, Our Lord will become present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

O God, deign to bless + what we offer, and make it approved,
+ effective, + right, and wholly pleasing in every way,
that it may become for our good,
the Body + and Blood + of Your dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord

CONSECRATION OF THE HOST
Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and having raised His eyes to heaven, to You, O God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to You, He blessed it + broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying:

For this is My Body

CONSECRATION OF THE WINE
In like manner, when the supper was done, taking also this goodly chalice into His holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to You, + He blessed it
and gave it to His disciples, saying: All of you take and drink of this:

For this is the chalice of My Blood of the new and eternal covenant:

the mystery of faith: which shall be shed for you and for many unto the forgiveness of sins.

As often as you shall do these things,
in memory of Me shall you do them

The Priest
21. Blesses the bread and wine with
the Sign of the Cross.
22. Elevates the Sacred Host.
23. Elevates the Chalice.
24. Prays in a low voice.
25. Prays for our eternal happiness.
26. Says aloud the Our Father.
27. Breaks and separates the Host.
28. Lets a small portion of the Sacred
Host fall into the chalice.
29. Says the Agnus Dei.

Christ
21. Is nailed to the cross.
22. Is raised on the cross.
23. Sheds blood from the five wounds.
24. Sees His afflicted Mother at the foot
of the cross.
25. Prays on the cross for men.
26. Says the seven words on the cross.
27: Gives up His spirit and dies.
28. His soul descends into Limbo.
29. Is acknowledged on the cross as the
Son of God by many bystanders.

COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD

Remember also O Lord, your servants and handmaids (name them) who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To these O Lord and to all who rest in Christ, we beseech You to grant of your goodness, a place of comfort, light and peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINOR ELEVATION

Through + Him, and with + Him, and in + Him, is to You,
God the Father + Almighty, in the unity of the Holy + Spirit,
all honor and glory. World without end. Amen

LET US PRAY

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen

THE BREAKING OF THE SACRED HOST

Deliver us, we beseech You, O Lord, from all evils, past, present and to come:
by the intercession of the Blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin Mother of God, together with Your Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew,
and all the Saints, grant of Your goodness, peave in our days,
that aided by the riches of Your mercy, we may be always free from sin
and safe from all disturbance.
Through the same Christ, our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God.
World without end. Amen.
May the peace + of the Lord + always with + you.
May this mingling and consecration
of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
help us receive it to life everlasting. Amen

THE AGNUS DEI
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the worldgrant us peace.

Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof;
but only say the word, and my soul will be healed.

May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting.
May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting.

What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what is given to us in time, be our healing for eternity.

FINAL PRAYERS
Having said the Communion Verse the Priest kisses the Altar and says:
The Lord be with you. v. And with your spirit.
P. Go, you are dismissed v. Thanks be to God.

May the tribute of my worship be pleasing to You, most Holy Trinity,
and grant that the sacrifice, which I, all unworthy,
have offered in the presence of Your Majesty, may be acceptable to You,
and through Your mercy, obtain forgiveness for me
and all for whom I have offered it.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE BLESSING
May Almighty God bless you: + the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

The Priest
30.   Administers Holy Communion.
31.   Cleanses the chalice.
32.   Prepares the chalice again.
33.   Says the Dominus vobiscum.
34.   Prays the Postcommunion.
35.   Says the last Dominus vobiscum.
36.   Gives the blessing to the people.
37.   Says the Ite Missa est and
        the Last Gospel.

Christ
30. Is laid in the sepulchre.
31. Is anointed by the pious women.
32. Arises from the dead.
33. Appears to His Mother and the
       disciples.
34. Teaches for forty days.
35. Takes leave of His disciples and
       ascends into Heaven.
36. Sends down the Holy Spirit.
37: Sends the Apostles into all parts of
       the world to preach the Gospel.

Pope Benedict XVI Establishes The Latin Mass
as Extraordinary Form

From SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM

Following the insistent prayers of these faithful, long deliberated upon
by our predecessor John Paul II, and after having listened to the views
of the Cardinal Fathers of the Consistory of 22 March 2006, having
reflected deeply upon all aspects of the question, invoked the
Holy Spirit and trusting in the help of God,
with these Apostolic Letters we establish the following:

It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass
following the typical edition of the Roman Missal
promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated,
as an extraordinary form of the Liturgy of the Church.

Celebrations of Mass as mentioned above in art. 2 may -
observing all the norms of law -
also be attended by faithful who, of their own free will, ask to be admitted.

Art. 5. § 1 In parishes, where there is a stable group of faithful
who adhere to the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should
willingly accept their requests to celebrate the Mass according
to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962,
and ensure that the welfare of these faithful harmonises
with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish,
under the guidance of the bishop in accordance with canon 392,
avoiding discord and favouring the unity of the whole Church.

§ 2 Celebration in accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII
may take place on working days; while on Sundays and feast days
one such celebration may also be held.

§ 3 For faithful and priests who request it, the pastor should also allow
celebrations in this extraordinary form for special circumstances
such as marriages, funerals or occasional celebrations, e.g. pilgrimages.

We order that everything We have established with these Apostolic Letters
issued as Motu Proprio be considered as "established and decreed",
and to be observed from 14 September of this year, (2007)
Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, whatever there may be to the contrary.

From Rome, at St. Peter's, 7 July 2007, third year of Our Pontificate.

Pope Benedict XVI

HOLY MASS is the highest act
of Divine Worship.
It is the renewal
of the Sacrifice of Christ
on Calvary which
merited the infinite
grace of Redemption.
In measure as you
unite with the Victim Jesus
in offering this Sacrifice to God
and nourish your soul
with His Sacred
Body and Blood
in Holy Communion,
to that extent you apply
to yourself the graces
of the Redemption.
The fruit of the
Sacrifice of Holy Mass
is applied best to your soul
in Holy Communion.
Unite yourself with Our Lady
in offering Holy Mass
and especially in
receiving her Son
into your heart.
No greater honor
could be given to Mary
than to offer Holy Mass
to thank God for the
privileges He has
bestowed upon her.
Her greatest joy is to aid you
in loving Jesus in your heart
at Holy Communion.

Prayers Before, During
and After Mass

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
Before Mass

Almighty and ever-living God,
I approach the sacrament
of Your only-begotten Son
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
I come sick to the doctor of life,
unclean to the fountain of mercy,
blind to the radiance
of eternal light,
and poor and needy to the Lord
of heaven and earth.
Lord, in your great generosity,
heal my sickness,
wash away my defilement,
enlighten my blindness,
enrich my poverty,
and clothe my nakedness.
May I receive
the bread of angels,
the King of kings
and Lord of lords,
with humble reverence,
with the purity and faith,
the repentance and love,
and the determined purpose
that will help to
bring me to salvation.
May I receive the sacrament
of the Lord's Body and Blood,
and its reality and power.

Kind God,
may I receive the Body
of Your only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
born from the womb
of the Virgin Mary,
and so be received into
His mystical body
and numbered among
His members.

Loving Father,
as on my earthly pilgrimage
I now receive Your beloved Son
under the veil of a sacrament,
may I one day see him
face to face in glory,
who lives and reigns
with You for ever.

Amen.

+ + +

The Anima Christi

(The soul of Christ)

The Anima Christi is said
after receiving communion,
that one be enlivened
by the body and blood
of Jesus Christ.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, heal me.

Blood of Christ, drench me.

Water from the side of Christ,

wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

In Your wounds shelter me.

From turning away keep me.

From the evil one protect me.

At the hour of my death call me.

Into Your presence lead me,

to praise You with all Your saints

for ever and ever.

Amen.

+ + +

St. Ignatius Loyola

Prayer
of Thanksgiving
After Mass

Lord Jesus Christ,

take all my freedom,

my memory, my understanding,

and my will.

All that I have and cherish

you have given me.

I surrender it all

to be guided by Your will.

Your grace and Your love

are enough for me.

Give me these, Lord Jesus,

and I ask for nothing more.

Amen.

What is the Tridentine or
Traditional LatinMass?

It's the Mass used in the
Catholic Church for almost
1500 years,
until the introduction
of the Mass of Pope Paul VI
following the Second
Vatican Council.

Why is it called
the Tridentine Mass?

Because it was codified by
the Council of Trent
in the 16th century.
But the Mass itself is far
older than that.
The Canon, or central part,
of the Mass dates back
to the time of St Gregory
in the sixth century.
In 1570, Pope St Pius V -
in his Papal Bull Quo Primum -
said that priests
could use the Tridentine Rite
forever,
"without scruple
of conscience
or fear of penalty".

Wasn't the Tridentine
Mass banned?

No, but following the
Second Vatican Council,
its public use was restricted
by most Bishops.

Other priests -
such as Saint (Padre) Pio
of Pietrelcina and
Saint Josemaria Escriva,
the founder of Opus Dei
- continued to use
the old Mass privately
in preference
to the new rite.

What's the advantage
of the Tridentine Mass?
also called
The Traditional Latin Mass

One of the great strengths
of the Tridentine Mass
is its uniformity.

Wherever Catholics
go in the world,
the Tridentine Mass
is exactly the same.
The movements
and gestures of the Mass
are clearly prescribed,
so there's no room
for "personalisation"
of the liturgy.
And the time-honoured
Latin of the Mass
reverently reflects
the sacrificial nature
of the celebration.

Didn't Vatican Council II
forbid Latin Masses?

Not at all.
The Council, in its
Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy,
said:
"The use of the
Latin language
is to be preserved".
The Council merely
gave permission
for the limited introduction
of the vernacular
(or local language)
into certain parts of the Mass
when celebrated in public.

Does the Pope approve
of the Tridentine Mass?

Certainly!
Both our present Holy Father,
Pope Benedict XVI,
and beloved
Pope John Paull II,
have worked diligently
to preserve the
Mass of All Times,
the old Latin Mass.

In his 1980 letter
to the Bishops
on the Holy Eucharist,
Pope John Paul II said:

"There are also
those people who,
having been educated
on the basis
of the old liturgy in Latin,
experience the lack
of this 'one language',
which in all the world
was an expression
of the unity of the Church
and which, through its
dignified character,
elicited a profound
sense of the
Eucharistic mystery.
It is therefore necessary
to show, not only
understanding,
but also full respect
towards these
sentiments and desires.
As far as possible,
these sentiments
and desires
are to be accommodated."

So are Catholics entitled
to attend a Tridentine Mass
if they wish?

Yes. In 1988,
Pope John Paul II
issued his binding instruction
Ecclesia Dei Adflicta.
The Pope ordered:
"Respect must everywhere
be shown
for the feelings of
all those who are
attached to the Latin
liturgical tradition
by a wide and
generous application
of the directives already issued
by the Apostolic See."

The Pope spoke
of the "lawfulness"
of the Tridentine Mass
and of the
"legitimate aspiration"
of Catholics to celebrate
or attend that Mass.
"Hence a privilege
in the canonical sense
of the term
was granted to the faithful
by the supreme legislator
of the Church.
Once a privilege
is duly granted,
the subject indeed
has the right
to benefit from it."

Altar Stone
- Signifies Mount Calvary

Altar Cloths - Corporal
- The Burial Cloths of Jesus

Purificator
- represents the handkerchief
covering the face of Jesus
for burial

Chalice Veil and Burse
- Represents the Mantle of Jesus

Chalice
- Represents the Tomb Christ
was laid in

Cruets
-Signifies the sponge filled with
gall and vinegar given to Jesus
on the Cross

Paten
- Represents the grave stone

Crucifix
-Reminder of Christ's Sacrifice
made present again on the Altar

Missal
- Signifies the Book of Death
which was cancelled by
the Sacrifice of Jesus

The Amice is a piece of
white linen cloth which
covers the shoulders
of the priest
and represents the
cloth that covered
the face of Jesus.

The Alb is a white linen
tunic which covers the
priest's whole body and
represents the garment
of vesture Herod caused
to be put upon Jesus.

The Cincture is the cord
which fastens the Alb
at the waist and
represents the rope
with which Jesus was
bound when
He was scourged.

The Maniple is a short
narrow stip of cloth that
hangs from the left arm
and represents the bands
with which Jesus' hands
were tied..

The Stole is a long,
silk band which fits around
the priest's neck
and is crossed over
on the breast,
representing the rope
that was tied around
the neck of Jesus,
used to drag Him
from place to place.
It is a symbol of authority
in the Church.
As a sign of his full
priestly powers, the Bishop
does not cross the stole
in front.
The right to always wear
the Stole belongs
only to the Pope.

The Chausible is the
uppermost vestment worn
by the priest at Mass,
representing
the purple robe put on Jesus
to mock Him.
It hangs from the shoulders,
in front and behind,
almost to the knees.
The color of the Chausible
changes according to the
liturgical season or function.

An online course of instruction in the Catholic Faith for those with a sincere desire to know the Truth

Traditional Latin Mass - Mass of All Times

Welcome

About

The Church Teaches

Catholic Prayer Life

Every Life Matters

Be Inspired

Daily Post

Recent Videos

Recent Blog Entries