Doing it old school

How did you encounter the Latin Mass? What fascinated you in the old rite?

Andrew: I encountered the Latin Mass through a group of friends just after graduating college. After 16 years of Catholic School, I thought I knew it all, but after experiencing a Latin Mass I had to confront the reality that I didn’t. That journey of discovering our own tradition as Catholics has led to a deeper faith, and a hunger to learn as much as I can about what the Church teaches, and why she teaches it. I was so enamored that I joined a group called Juventutem to help introduce more people to the Latin Mass. I don’t think I’d be Catholic if God hadn’t introduced me to the Latin Mass through some beautiful friendships.

Many mention the beauty of the Latin liturgy. How would you describe it? What is something that you miss in the Novus Ordo Mass?

Theresa: Something that stuck with me was this other-worldly feeling. The focus was totally on the Eucharist. At a quiet Low Mass, the silence really pulls me in to focus on what’s happening on the altar, not the people. The music at a High Mass contributes to that feeling of being in the presence of God, which is exactly where you are when you’re at Mass. I love that it’s so different from anything else you encounter in the world.

One huge difference is Communion—in the old form, everyone receives on the tongue while kneeling, and it’s clear that everyone knows who they receive.

Do you also attend Mass in the new order? And what are elements that in your opinion could be improved?

Theresa: We do, our parish is mostly Novus Ordo Masses. When Juventutem had Latin Masses at our parish, we learned how to sing Gregorian Chant for High Masses. There are so many beautiful hymns that hit on deep theological truths that we could use.

As for homilies, some priests give pep talks, when they have a perfect opportunity to give us theological teaching to help us live the Gospel.

How would you explain why a lot of young adults are so fascinated by the Tridentine Mass?

Andrew: Part of the fascination is because the Latin Mass was hidden from us. It wasn’t the Mass we attended in school, nor was the history of it taught in Catholic schools. When we encounter it, we are shaken out of any presuppositions we had about the Mass, and need to grapple with this seemingly foreign expression of the faith. And what’s sad to me is that it shouldn’t be foreign—it’s part of our tradition. Encountering the Latin Mass is just like meeting a long-lost grandparent. You may not have known they were still alive, and you may not even speak the same language, but you still want to get to know them. 

Some people try to use the different rites to create division—it could seem that one order is better than the other, or even that Pope Francis is not the legitimate pope. How do you see this conflict?

Andrew: I’ve never actually met anyone in any traditional communities (Juventutem chapters or FSSP, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, parishes) who actually don’t see Pope Francis as valid. In my experience the notion that FSSP parishes are filled with people who don’t recognize the Pope is a complete misnomer and an internet trope. But I do acknowledge that there are people out there who believe this, but they’re in smaller groups like SSPX, Society of St. Pius X, or other sedevacantist movements.

Personally, I think the Latin Mass is more beautiful than the Novus Ordo; that doesn’t mean I don’t find the Novus Ordo beautiful. I just like that there’s more reverence for the Blessed Sacrament built into the rubrics. I also like that Latin Masses stick to the rubrics, whereas, when reading through the documents of Vatican II, the Mass that’s described on the page is seldom what I’ve experienced in real life.

I don’t think that the divisions are as bad as the news or the internet makes it sound, but I also think these are conversations worth having. Catechesis in the church has been lacking for at least the last century, and those in traditionalist communities are simply on a journey of discovering how Catholicism grew up over the centuries and want to root themselves in that identity. In my estimation, those who tend to be aggressive about one side or another often come from a place of hurt; either bad experiences with priests, fellow parishioners, parents or teachers, but those bad experiences don’t mean we get to write off fellow Catholics. I think we would all do well to start listening to each other again.

Theresa: It’s ironic that people who like the Latin Mass are sometimes accused of causing disunity within the Church, when really it would help create unity through a common language. I remember praying the Rosary at a Focolare youth retreat where one participant from another country didn’t know the prayers in English, but she knew them in Spanish and Latin; but none of the rest of us knew the Latin. We missed a great opportunity to create unity there! 

Are there also elements that you sometimes miss in the Tridentine Mass and in parishes who prefer it?

Andrew: As an alter server for the Latin Mass one of the things I discovered is that the priest, servers and choir, do most of the “work.” Growing up in the Novus Ordo I am so used to the “dialogue” Mass, and I was surprised and a little offended that the congregation didn’t get to participate in this way. I see value in formal rubrics for the congregation to make some of the responses with the servers or choir. 

How would you envision the Church in the future? What is the most important step that Christians need to take?

Andrew: Unfortunately, I foresee the Church getting much smaller before it gets larger. Most of our generation has abandoned religion in general. At this point we need to play the long game: continue to live the Gospel in our daily lives (with coworkers, family, friends, and literal neighbors). Support young people in forming Catholic families, and encourage them to have children so that we can fill those pews once again. Then help the parents catechize those children. Too many parents rely on the schools to form their kids and as a result they aren’t formed well. But what would help is to develop a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament by actually acting like what we receive is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Frequent Mass and the sacrament of Confession. Pray every day, and strive to cultivate a robust interior life. And if you’ve never been to a Latin Mass or it’s been awhile, try it again—it’s the reason I’m still Catholic!